Village Tribune Issue 98 West by Dimension6000

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May / June 2016

EXPLORING HELPSTON'S HERITAGE OPEN GARDEN EVENTS ART EXHIBITIONS SING FOR LIFE COUNTRY SPORTS

tribune DIARY inside

HERITAGE QUIZ • ACHIEVEMENTS • SCHOOL REPORT • CHURCH SERVICES • RECIPE • FARMING DIARY

Serving the North Peterborough villages of Ashton, Bainton, Barnack, Castor, Helpston, Pilsgate, Southorpe and Ufford villagetribune.org.uk

JT Fencing - Northborough All types of fencing supplied and fixed. FREE estimates and advice.

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Just a thought ...

A moment of patience in a few moments of anger could save you a hundred moments of regret.

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contacts

Editor

Tony Henthorn 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP T: 07590 750128 E: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

May / June 2016

REGULARS

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Barnack Editor

Priest in charge

Dave Maylor The Rectory, Millstone Lane, Barnack PE9 3ET T: 01780 740234 E: dmaylor@btinternet.com

Delivery

Sarah Walker T: 07971 439317 sarahjwalker77@gmail.com 12 West Street, Helpston PE6 7DX

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ASHTON Hilary Smith Thatched Cottage, Ashton E: hilly.smith@virgin.net BARNACK George Burage Opposite Millstone, Barnack

Deadline for next issue: 17 June 2016

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Ian Burrows T: 01780 749554 ianberyl.burrows@btinternet.com

SOUTHORPE Daphne Williams The Old Dairy Barn, Main St. T: 01780 740511 UFFORD Frieda Gosling 2 Hillside Close, Ufford PE9 3BW T: 01780 740343

Advertising Rates Tribune Contacts Tribune Triumphs Charity School Report Tribune Diary Tom's Musings Tribune Heritage The Whisperer Found You On Facebook Tribune Green Taste Buds Village Views Farming Diary Tribune Church We Will Never Forget Write Away Tribune Directory

NEWS & FEATURES

10&11 5000 Years and Counting 12 Helpston Playhouse 23 Sing for Life 25 We've a Cunning Plan ... 29 Country Sports 55 In Memory west

HELPSTON Sue Young 1 Arborfield Close, Helpston PE6 7DL T: 01733 252223 PILSGATE Ellie Gompertz Westways, Stamford Rd, Pilsgate

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issue

May / June 2016

ON THE COVER n The Flying Scotsma steaming through Helpston. Photo by Tim Martin

EXPLORING HELPS TON'S HERITAGE OPEN GARDEN EVENTS ART EXHIBITION S SING FOR LIFE COUNTRY SPORT S

HERITAGE QUIZ • ACHIEVEMENT S • SCHOOL REPORT

tribune DIARY inside

• CHURCH SERVIC ES • RECIPE •

FARMING DIARY

Serving the North Peterborough Ashton, Bainto villages of n, Barnack, Castor , Helpston, Pilsgat villagetribune.o e, Southorpe and Ufford

ON THE COVER Photo by Tim Martin

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The Flying Scotsman steaming through Helpston earlier this year; a splendid spectacle on a beautiful morning. 4,000 copies of the Tribune are distributed free of charge in Ashton, Bainton, Barnack, Helpston, Pilsgate, Southorpe and Ufford (the West edition) and Deeping Gate, Etton, Glinton, Northborough, Maxey and Peakirk(the East edition). Prices below show the cost of going in a single edition or both and are per insertion’. Advertisers booking, and paying for four insertions over the period of 12 months are entitled to 20% discount on these prices.

T: 01733 772095 www.dimension6000.com

The views expressed within this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor. All copy is believed correct at time of print but no responsibility can be taken for errors and/or ommissions. No part of this publication and/or website may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without prior written permission of the Publisher. Permission is only deemed valid if approval is in writing. The Village Tribune own all rights to contributions, text and images, unless previously agreed to in writing.

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tribunetriumphs RECOGNISING ACHIEVEMENT

National Coach Tourism Awards Winner

Shaws of Maxey are so proud and excited to announce their recent win at the National Coach Tourism Awards! They brought home 'Holiday Programme of the Year' and were shortlisted (for the sixth year running) for the 'Day Excursion Programme of the Year'. Judges commended Shaws on an â&#x20AC;&#x153;easy to read brochure with eye catching illustrations, a comprehensive range of holiday destinations and that something specialâ&#x20AC;?. Innovation and creativity was key to this win alongside the high quality and excellent content of

our breaks and the sheer attention to detail and commitment to the holiday programme. Shaws regularly receive letters of thanks and praise for the care and attention that their drivers and office staff pay to their customers. This win is testament to a great team at Shaws of Maxey!

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Pictured above with Anthea Turner are Jane Duffelen and Ben Pinsent from award sponsor Independent Coach Travel

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RECOGNISING ACHIEVEMENT Calais: Rocket stoves

Jay Gearing

Helpston was well represented at a gathering at Peterborough Town Hall to present Achievement Awards to people from the city and surrounding villages who had given themselves and their time generously to various causes.

n our last issue we talked to Peter Moyse, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work for the John Clare Society. Peter’s award was the only Lifetime Award and was last to be presented by the city’s mayor, Cllr John Peach. Earlier, another Helpston resident, Jay Gearing, received an award in recognition of his work in supporting the Calais refugee camp, known as the Jungle. Jay lives in West Street with his partner, Amanda Rigby, and runs a graphic design company, Paper Rhino. Jay is on the board of Trustees of Peterborough Green Backyard. If you have not heard about The Green Backyard, this is a community garden in the city centre opposite the POSH ground. It is run entirely by volunteers from the area and is used by all kinds of people including those who are disadvantaged in some way, have learning difficulties, or are children with Special Needs. Together they find enjoyment in growing and making things. They take part in various workshops such as DIY and Arts & Crafts and all the activities are staffed entirely by volunteers. Here, together with Sophie Antonelli and Neil Hepworth,

he decided that something needed to be done about the suffering of the refugees in the Calais camp. An appeal for aid resulted in an outpouring of generosity from the people of Peterborough and beyond. There was space at the Green Backyard site to store some aid, but the friends were amazed to see how much was donated in a short time. “The response was overwhelming,” Jay told the Tribune. “During the first weekend, a whole polytunnel was filled with clothing, sleeping bags, toiletries and food. Some children even brought their teddy bears to give for the children who had no toys.” Recognising the need for cooking apparatus in the camp, a talk was arranged to teach volunteers how to make and use a Rocket Stove, which burns wood. Several of these stoves were made and went in the hired van with the rest of the aid. Talking about the Calais trip, Jay said that the experience was “emotionally very hard hitting. “Seeing little children trying to escape war living in those conditions was appalling”, he said. The group spent a day distributing

Seeing little children trying to escape war, living in those conditions, was appalling the aid and explaining how to use the Rocket Stoves. At the camp, Jay and his group saw churches, a mosque and a library – all wooden structures with tarpaulin skins. These were removed when the camp was cleared. Commenting on the Government’s attitude to the refugee crisis, he had this to say: “I think that taking only 20,000 people over five years is just a drop in the ocean. Although Germany is a rich country, taking one million, poor countries like Greece have taken in many more than we are doing. In the past, from helping Jews in WW2 or hosting those fleeing from Idi Amin in Uganda or the Vietnam war we have been generous. It seems that attitudes have changed and a fear of foreigners has developed. I don’t just mean open up the borders to everyone, but we should be openhearted when it comes to refugees who are fleeing for their lives.” Jay and his group aim to visit France again and hope to spend longer helping with the refugees. They are not currently collecting in Peterborough but aid is being collected and distributed by ABC, an organisation set up in Bristol. His one regret is that he was not given the chance to say ‘Thank You’ publicly to the people of Peterborough. “I felt a bit guilty really,” he said because the award I was given belongs to the people who helped so much with their donations, so a very BIG Thank You to everyone involved.”

If you have an interest in helping out with the Green Backyard, volunteers are welcome. You should contact: www.thegreenbackyard.com. Open day is Saturday 11am-4pm, drop in volunteer day is Wednesday 11am-4pm. To visit, the postcode is PE2 8AT. Check opening hours and find a map on the website.

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tribunecharity Saturday 5 March saw the latest fund-raiser to support local lad George Robinson in his recovery from a serious spinal injury, incurred when playing rugby for Stamford School in South Africa last year.

Team George cash boost

riends gathered at Glinton Village Hall to join parents Gill and Simon for a 'charity dinner' and prize draw. Simon then took time out to explain the 'incredible journey' his family had been on and thanked everyone who had supported George. Money raised will go towards funding a specially-adapted wheelchair. George Robinson, 18, was hurt while playing rugby for Stamford School in Cape Town, South Africa, on July 27. The impact of going in for a tackle caused a transection of his spinal cord.

George spent 37 days in a South African hospital and a further five weeks in Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, before being transferred to the Princess Royal Spinal Unit in Sheffield, where he is currently undergoing rehabilitation. It has been a tough six months for George, his parents Simon and Gill, and younger brother Eddie, 16. But George has shown great strength to remain positive throughout. And this has been helped by a campaign called #teamgeorge, set up by friends and family to raise money for an

John Tanner There will be no door to door envelope collection this year. This is because there are no volunteers. I am not too sad about this because it seems to reflect a growing trend. A lower proportion of Christion Aid's current funding is achieved by this means than in

the past and this is the experience of other charities. Please try to contribute somehow if only by attending a dedicated coffee morning. Christian Aid is the churches' main charity, not just Anglican, but embracing many denominations,

all terrain wheelchair and other specialist equipment. Dad Simon said: “George is displaying exceptional mental strength and fortitude in dealing with his injury. “We are incredibly grateful and touched with the magnificent support, unity and spirit being given through #teamgeorge, it is a tremendous source of energy and strength for George and our family.”

lp en set up to he A trust has be he y el lik is it e, as care for Georg personal rm -te ng lo will require ort. care and supp truly ecumenical. It operates world wide and is insistent that " the world can and must be swiftly changed to one where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty". Note the insistence on a full life. A TV comedian of proven good will once put up on the screen a picture of an African girl, about 15 years of age. He said, "this is Lobo, she has to walk 20 miles to the nearest disco". Many a true word...

You can make a regular donation by direct debit. Contact PO Box 100, London SE1 7RT. Tel 0207 7620 4444. Email christianaid.org.uk/donations. One-off donations by credit card or similar means are of course also welcome.Or you may wish to become involved in projects. Contact our local group: Christian Aid Upper Rooms, Loughborough LE11 1TG. Tel 01509 265013. Email eastmidlands@christianaid.org. Again, you might find ideas on the main website: caweek.org where you will find, for instance, details of a Big Brekkie pack. 8

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tribunecharity

ocal people are so aware of the poverty and poor circumstances of many of the children and the debilitated health they suffer On 25 June the as a result of living in such a Chernobyl children highly contaminated and polluted arrive once more. atmosphere. We're aiming for more big smiles So many people this year, like the on shown here on will pull together Nikita's face! (pictured left). to give them a Last summer, wonderful local wonderful visit people dropped fresh fruit into full of treasured Helpston Scout Hut to boost the children’s health; we also had gifts memories. of vegetable seeds, toiletries, first by Celia Hammond

Chernobyl Children

aid items and warm socks for their mothers. This year is our tenth visit by the Chernobyl Children. I look back to the early days when we had a small group of supporters and the villagers were still wondering who on earth these Russian speaking children actually were. Now the people of our villages have taken these lovely children to their hearts and really want to help. Please visit us if you would like to meet the children, they are always happy to have visitors!

07779 264591. Focc_helpston@msn.com www.justgiving.com/Helpstonchernobyl2016

Shine 50 mile challenge walk Ely to the Bluebell, Helpston on 23 July

by Richard Astle

A service of thanksgiving in Peterborough Cathedral recently marked the 50th anniversary of Shine, the (Peterborough based) national charity for spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

t was a wonderful occasion, full of poignant stories from people with the conditions and full of hope for the future. As part of the year-long celebrations of our anniversary, and to raise awareness of the charity and raise funds, I am going to be attempting a 50 mile walk from Ely Cathedral to the Bluebell Inn, Helpston on Saturday 23 July. The walk is meant to be a relay with teams walking stages, rather than trying to do it all. The various stages are shown on the attachment, some of which are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs too.

It promises to be a great challenge, but hopefully lots of fun too and I wondered if you would be interested in joining me on the day? This is not an official walk, so there is no great organisation behind it, but there are no difficult bits (it is the fens after all) and we will have support cars (with provisions) meeting us at the end of each leg and able to take people onwards if they choose to drop out. Do let me know if you fancy joining me or if you have any questions and I hope you will feel able to fund raise for Shine as part of that commitment. Many thanks!

 Join me and try to complete the whole walk! Quite a challenge, I know, but we can always duck out for a while and re-join later! Or ..  Join me on one or two of the legs of the walk, (the shortest leg is 4 miles from the Key in Peterborough to Ferry Meadows) – we will be confirming approximate times of arrival at each point nearer the time, so you don’t have to wait around. Or ...  Organise your own team and complete the whole walk as a relay. You will need accommodation if you are starting at Ely.

For further details/route T: 01733 207340 M: 07885 252571 E: richard@athene-communications.co.uk TOOLS FOR A MISSION

Spring-cleaning?

am delighted that part of the Maxey congregation have had contact with ‘Tools for a Mission’ (also their website name) who refurbish tools etc. and send them out to Africa and India to communities who can use them to pursue independent living rather than a reliance on overseas aid. What do they want? All kinds of hand and electrical tools (secure chuck keys to the item if available),

I’m passionate about recycling and have been approached with requests for a ‘home’ for tools and other items no longer wanted but still with some life left in them. Revd. Hilary Geisow 01733 253638 garden tools (but not lawn stuff), sewing machines and all manner of haberdashery items, and computer stuff. If you are unsure please look at the website first, then contact me. There isn’t space to list everything here but their remit is wide. So, if you are thinking about replacing tools/sewing items / computers or laser printers please remember this charity for usable

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(not broken) items that still have a life – and give me a ring. I am prepared to act as a depot over the next few months. Just contact me to make sure I’m in first! I hope to collect enough for a oneoff pick up by the charity in the summer. Thank you. NB Changing the bathroom and replacing towels? The Salvation Army can use old but serviceable ones. Speak to me. 9

tribuneheritage

5000 Years and counting We believe that the first people to arrive in the Welland valley in about BC 3000 were nomadic New Stone Age hunter-gatherers. There is evidence, dating back to BC 2000 in the Bronze Age, of burial mounds, ditches and banks, boundaries and ceremonial structures such as circles in Maxey and Etton. Aerial photographs show evidence of farming in Helpston, dating from BC 1000. Maybe satellite images will enable us to go back in time even further. Exploring Helpston's Heritage Quiz The Quiz was devised initially for the children at John Clare Primary School and their families with the aim of encouraging them to walk round the village and actually look at some of the old buildings which are still in existence today. Most of them have been modernised over the years, some have been partly rebuilt, but it is still possible to imagine how they would have looked. The Quiz is included in the Village Tribune for the benefit of other residents and visitors. Sixteen buildings and structures are shown on the map of the centre of Helpston. On the other pages there are the names, dates and a little information about these buildings and the task it to match the numbers with the names. Numbers 17-20 apply to historical features which are just outside the village. It should then be possible to create a chronological list or 10

time line. Based on one small village, we start to understand the concepts of time, continuity and change. This is what we mean by our heritage.

The Helpston Test Pits Project Another way of exploring our heritage is to look at the evidence buried in the ground under our feet. This is the purpose of 1 metre square holes, known as test pits. We made a start with 10 pits in 2015 and they revealed that there has been continuous settlement at Helpston for 2000 years. The frequency of medieval pottery fragments confirms that Helpston was a thriving village at that time. But there are many unanswered questions, for example the Roman pottery found in West Street. Some small square floor tiles, possibly Roman and known as tesserae, were found in the test pit in front of the Almshouses. Was West Street

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once a Roman trackway and was there a building there? This year we are targeting the School grounds and the children will be digging again, as well as a number of gardens in the centre of the village. It will be a community project which will provide opportunities for the children, their families and other residents to discover evidence of the evolution of the vĂllage. We hope to discover the original centre of the village in which an Anglo Saxon called Help and his family chose to live and to find out if it grew at a steady rate or if its growth was erratic.

tribuneheritage To download a larger, more detailed copy of the quiz and the map, please go to

www.villagetribune.org.uk

QUIZ

Exploring Helpston’s Heritage Name ............................................................................... Class ........................................ Attach the numbers on the map to the names and descriptions and fill in the gaps in some clues. Map No.

Clues The Almshouses. The Bluebell Inn. Cromwell House Woodhall Manor Part of a medieval stone coffin John Clare’s grave St Botolph’s Church A mosaic of coloured tiles

What next?

Helpston House

There will be an "Exploring Helpston's Heritage" exhibition including the children`s time line, photographs and drawings and their test pit finds at the School Open Day on Saturday 16 July, which will also be part of the National Archaeology Festival. It is also hoped that the results will be included on the LangdykeTrust website. There is scope for some documentary research, perhaps some street or family history research. Maybe a book, one day?

John Clare’s Cottage The John Clare Monument The Old School The Old Dovecot Batchelor’s Hall The Market Cross The Exeter Arms Map by Peter Leverington, quiz designed by Sue Titman, research and article by Frieda Gosling, all members of the Torpel History and Archaeology Group and Langdyke Trust.

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John Clare

arly March saw the school overrun with an incredible range of book characters. Harry Potter shared a classroom with The Cat In The Hat, Stick Man and assorted fairy-tale heroes, heroines and villain when John Clare Primary celebrated World Book Day. The school choir took part in the Peterborough Music Festival, competing against six other choirs. This was their first ever competition and was an enjoyable experience for all involved, including their Conductor, Mr. Black. On the same day, the football and netball teams both took part in the Soke tournaments. Both teams acquitted themselves well, against many other Peterborough schools, winning a number of matches. The chess team recently competed against Malcom Sargent primary school in

Easter Fayre

Helpston Playhouse hosted their Easter Fayre recently which proved to be as popular as previous years, despite the weather not quite warming up for us yet! There was something for all the family with stalls from previous years such as Face Painting, Sweetie Raffle, Hook a

SCHOOL REPORT Stamford, winning by just half a point in a very tense match. Fine dining was the order of the day at John Clare school, and the culmination of three weeks’ planning and preparation by ten of our Year 6 children. At their “Pop Up Restaurant” family members enjoyed a three course feast including mussels in a garlic, onion and butter sauce, mini quiches for starters and chicken wrapped in Parma ham or curry for main. For dessert, it was a difficult choice between the famous fudge tart or pancakes. The children not only prepared the food, but also served it; all under the watchful eye of Mrs. Sallis, who single-handedly creates and prepares school lunches every day. The end of a very short term was celebrated with Easter Technology Day. The children worked in House teams with

children from all year groups supporting each other. They enjoyed hunting for mini beasts and making bug hotels in the newly recommissioned Wildlife Area. Super Chick’s adventures are becoming a key part of Easter Technology Day, and this year proved no exception, with our fearless feathered friend reaching for the sky in homemade rockets! Everyone enjoyed baking and eating an Easter muffin. The final activity showcased the childrens’ artistic abilities as they made Easter cards to take home to their families. The final day of term ended with the annual Friends’ Easter Egg Hunt. Foam Easter eggs were hidden around the school field and once found, could be exchanged for a sweeter replacement!

HELPSTON PLAYHOUSE Duck, Cake stall, Tombola and a very popular raffle with generous prizes donated by Willow Photography, The Bluebell Helpston, The Golden Pheasant Etton, Burghley House, Sacrewell and many more. As well as new entertainment with a fun Bouncy Castle and a Craft activity run by staff of Helpston Playhouse.

The day was a great success and it was lovely to see so many familiar faces as well as new families too, all supporting the Helpston Playhouse to raise over £600 to go towards new equipment for the children. A huge thanks to everyone that donated raffle prizes, tombola prizes, cakes and toys and to all those that helped and attended.

Helpston's Got Talent Back in February, Helpston Playhouse once again hosted their Helpston’s Got Talent event at the Village Hall. The support from families of Helpston Playhouse, John Clare School and the village was overwhelming at this sell out event. The evening took similar format to previous years, compered 12

by Rachel Grant who introduced the acts, including a hilarious monologue, some fantastic singing, a wonderfully produced ballet act and the very well deserved winners, who performed a humorous, yet professionally choreographed synchronised swimming act! The Helpston Playhouse would like to thank everyone who

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performed, attended and worked at the event to make it such a successful, sociable and fun evening – an amazing £1200 was raise and we thank you all so much!

Sweet Little Knitted Things Wednesday 22 June

tribunediary Pantaloons Outdoor Theatre 29 June and 3 August

Tickets are now on sale for the Pantaloons, the outdoor theatre group who will be making two visits to John Clare Cottage this year. 29 June – Gulliver’s Travels and 3 August – Canterbury Tales. Full details are on the website.

Coffee Mornings at St Botolph's Saturday 28 May and Saturday 25 June

St Botolph's - Helpston Church invites everyone to the regular monthly Coffee Mornings held in the Church from 10am until 12 noon.

The John Clare Society Festival Friday 15 to Sunday 17 July

The annual Festival in Helpston will take place this year between Friday 15th and Sunday 17th July. On Friday at 1.15pm the Midsummer Cushions’ Ceremony will take place at St. Botolph’s Church, when children from the John Clare Primary School will be presenting their cushions of flowers and their prize-winning poems will be read. There is folk music with Pete Shaw in the evening at the Bluebell. On Saturday afternoon Margi Blunden, daughter of the First World War Poet Edmund Blunden, will give the Annual Lecture in the Church. In the evening there is a concert by the Big Fiddle Band for which tickets will be £5. On Sunday there is a Clare-related service in church, this year led by Canon Hayden Smart.

1-4 pm John Clare Cottage Come and knit a rose posy • Learn how to knit an “i-cord” • Create knitted rose flowers Wool and pattern included Bring size 4mm knitting needles plus double-pointed needles. There will be double-pointed needles to borrow on the day. Straight pins will be available on the day for a small charge. Tickets are £30 including a cream tea. Places are limited so please contact the Cottage to reserve a place. John Clare Cottage: 01733 253330

Willow Brook Farm Shop

Events at & Granary Tea Rooms

T: 01780 740261 E: infowillowbrookfarmshop@btinternet.com www.willowbrookfarmshop.co.uk

Pork Pie Making Nights:

22 April and 17 June 6.45pm The Granary at Willow Brook Farm are offering you the opportunity to learn their best kept secrets of making their very special hand raised pork pies. Come on your own, or bring a group of friends. Have some fun and learn a traditional cooking art all in one evening! Tickets: £20 per head (£10 deposit required). To book, please contact Willow Brook Farm, details above.

Classic Car Club

Weds 11 May, 8 June 5pm It'll soon be time to whip off the dust sheets and grab the polish! If you're lucky enough to own something old and beautiful, odd and quirky or simply classically beautiful, come along to our informal Classic Car club. It should ideally be called a 'classic vehicle club' because as well as your traditional classic cars anything is welcome...motorcycles, scooters, tanks, tractors, steam engines etc.

Tractor Road Run

Programmes will be available in the village from 15 May mid-June. For more information, please contact Starts and ends at willow brook Sue Holgate (Festival Organiser) 01353 668438 - full route on Willow Brook or Ann Marshall (Publicity Officer) 01400 282409. website (see top of page) E-mail sueholgate@hotmail.co.uk villagetribune.org.uk

Community Defibrillator Seminar Tuesday 3 May, 7.00pm, Bainton Reading Room

If you live in Bainton or Ashton, the Parish Council would very much like you to attend a free seminar run by the Community Heartbeat Trust, provider of the defibrillator that has recently been installed at Bainton Reading Room. Learn how a defibrillator works, why it is so important to have one available and what to do in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest. The event will last two hours and you need no special skills or knowledge. The more people who feel confident in using the equipment and who know what to do, the more chance there is of saving a life in an emergency. Everyone is welcome and there is no need to book.

Bainton & Ashton Annual Villages Meeting Tuesday 17 May, 7.00pm, Bainton Reading Room Bainton & Ashton Parish Council will host the villages’ annual meeting at Bainton Reading Room and all residents are invited, with drinks, nibbles and time for an informal chat beforehand, from 6.30pm. Local organisations from the villages will report on their activity over the last year and be on hand to talk about what they do and how you can get involved. Residents

are invited to stay on for the Parish Council’s annual meeting which will follows at approximately 7.30pm. The council will be looking for two more councillors so the evening is a great time to find out more about what’s really involved and to express an interest in being co-opted. Graham Fletcher, Richard Harris and Helen Raymond’s nominations were uncontested and they are duly elected.

INTERIORS

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t 01778 345777 e info@creativetouchinteriors.co.uk www.creativetouchinteriors.co.uk

Open all year, inspections always welcome ● ● ● ●

Vaccinated cats only Cats on special diets and medications welcome Rabbits and guinea pigs also boarded Collections & delivery service available Spacious individually heated chalets to suit all ages from active youngsters to golden oldies

Tel: 01733 575300 1346 Lincoln Road, Werrington, Peterborough PE4 6LP

www.homefromhomecattery.co.uk

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tribunediary 11 & 12 June

Helpston Gala & Open Gardens Weekend

he organisation of Helpston’s 2016 Gala on Saturday 11 June 12 noon and the Open Gardens Event on the following Sunday, is well on target with lots of enthusiasm but more volunteers are still needed, so ‘Come on Helpston – you wanted the Gala back – now’s the time to offer to lend a hand!’ This event is for the church building fund, plus local and national charities. Vicar, Rev Dave Maylor told the Tribune: “We are really excited about this year’s Gala. We have had all the old-fashioned games repaired and there will be the favourite stalls like Plants and Bric-a-brac, exhibitions in the church, a bouncy castle and a Playbus for the little ones and a great barbeque. Lots of waggy tails will be around, keen to compete in our Fun Dog Show. “But we DO need more helpers – people need only offer one or two hours help. The people of Helpston are so generous with what they give, but there is a problem in getting the items for the bric-a-brac stall collected in on two particular evenings, so HELP please!” To help with collecting on either Monday 23 May and/ or Tuesday 24th May between 6pm and 7.30 please contact Kate Hinchliff on 01733 253192. Volunteers will be given a street, or part of a street to cover. When the gifts are picked up, they are

then taken to the old School on Glinton Road where they will be sorted and priced by others. You need some transport, but former Churchwarden, Kate Hinchilff has said that if there is difficulty with transport, help may be available. Also needed: Supervisors (on a rota) for the Bouncy Castle, help on the stalls on the day, assistants for the Playbus and people to assist in running games. The raffle will be a popular event as usual with super prizes, but volunteers are still needed. Can you sell any tickets in your workplace, Club, Pub, Gym etc? Back to Rev Dave: “Helpston Gala is an opportunity for the whole village to come together – for friends and neighbours to catch up. We want everyone to have a good time, but please remember that if St Botolph’s is to remain standing for the NEXT 800 years we have to have money in the kitty for repairs. The 50% of funds raised from the Gala will see to that. Just as important is the 40% that will be given to local charities and the 10% to national charities. As Chair of the Gala Committee of St Botolph’s it’s my job to make sure that all goes well, so please get in touch with Kate, who is my chief helper on this 01733 253192 if you feel able to help. I look forward to seeing you there!”

The Open Gardens event follows the Gala on Sunday 11th when gardens open at . ….. Tickets can be bought on the day from Botolph’s Barn, Church Lane or at John Clare School, where parking is available. Refreshments will be on sale in the gardens and at the village hall. There will be stalls with items of interest to gardeners. The Helpston weekend continues on Sunday 12 June with the return of the popular Open Gardens. This will be another opportunity for visitors and locals alike to enjoy many of the beautiful, unexpected gardens which nestle within Helpston. It is so delightful to be able to see the results of all the care and passion that goes into these gardens whether they be a large, grand affair or a smaller cottage garden - they are all splendid. The gardens will be open from 1pm - 6pm and refreshments will be available in the village hall, in addition to some of the gardens. Car parking is available at John Clare Primary School and at Botolph's Barn. Entry tickets to the gardens can be bought at these venues either on the day or at the Gala and will cost £4.50 pp with under 16s foc. The gardens will be open from 1pm - 6pm with the proceeds being split between the New Village Hall fund and St Botolph's Church.

We are still looking for volunteers to open their Helpston gardens so if you are interested please contact either Tammy Tushingham on 07734 544578 or Sophie Driver on 07900 681781

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tribunediary

Barnack Community Association Queen's Birthday Celebration

Barnack Bowls Club The green will be open from

Sunday 12 June

Saturday 9 April

Please see page 49 of this issue for detalis of our Queen's birthday celebrations.

We are looking for new members, beginners or experienced, for a club with one of the best greens in the area, and a warm welcome.

Etton Barn Dance Saturday 2 July

Contact Phil Collins on Stamford 740124

Graham Smitheringale is organizing a fundraising Barn Dance with A Waggon Load of Monkeys performing and a hog roast. Tickets will be available from Graham.

Etton's Queen's Birthday Celebrations

Exploring Helpston's Heritage Exhibition Saturday 16 July

Saturday 4 June

Village afternoon get together to celebrate the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 90th birthday, starting with a short commemorative service at the church. This will be followed by afternoon tea/picnic on the village green. There will be the official unveiling of the village sign complete with the new memorial (not yet installed). Further details will follow after the next planning meeting on 26 April.

At John Clare School. The exhibition will include the children`s time line, photographs and drawings and their test pit finds at the School Open Day, which will also be part of the National Archaeology Festival. It is also hoped that the results will be included on the LangdykeTrust website. Further details on page 12-13

Deeping Horse & Pony Show Sunday 17 July

This will make its debut off Peakirk Road, Deeping Gate. Attractions will include jumping, showing and dressage classes, plus a gymkhana. There will be a display of vintage cars and tractors, a dog show, local trade stands, bar and catering facilities. Ample parking.

Langdyke Trust Open Day Sunday 17 July

includes

For Tickets: Emma Thorp: 01780 740436 Emmathorp@gmail.com Fiona Spires: 07795 111319 Fiona.spires@frontierag.co.uk

The Langdyke Trust is planning a second open day at the Etton Maxey reserve. There will be guided walks, pond dipping and bird watching. There may also be a chance to visit the Etton High meadow orchards, pond and new allotments.

Shine 50 mile challenge walk Ely to the Bluebell, Helpston Saturday 23 July Full details on page 23 of this edition

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OPEN GARDENS Gardens are not made by singing 'Oh, how beautiful!' and sitting in the shade. Rudyard Kipling

Ufford Open Gardens Saturday 11 June

A collection of gardens will be open to raise money for the Village Hall and the Playground Equipment Project. Refreshments will be served in the village hall. Fun activities for children, including bouncy castle and prize treasure hunt. Please come and support us for these local causes and enjoy a great afternoon. If you have an Ufford Garden you would be happy to open please contact Karen on T: 01733 749 581

Helpston Open Gardens & Gala

Saturday & Sunday 11 & 12 June For more information please contact: E: tammy.tushingham@btinternet.com see page 15 T: 07734 544 578

1-5pm Tickets from Ufford Village Hall

Peakirk Open Gardens Sunday 31 July 2-5pm

Price ÂŁ3, under 16s free. Tickets available on the day, at village hall and open gardens. Contact Roy Pettitt 01733 252049

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tribunediary Hop aboard one of our luxury coaches for an ‘Out & About’ day tour with a local, family-owned and trusted company that’s been Clocking up the miles since 1922. Here’s a small taster of our celebratory 2016 tours…

␣ Buckingham Palace Tours for the Queen's 90th Birthday ␣ Garden visits that celebrate 300 years of Capability Brown ␣ The launch of the brand new Rolling Stones Exhibition

Thanksgiving Service & Street Party Come Celebrate! Sunday 12 June at 10.30am At St Andrew's Church, Northborough. All Age Thanksgiving Service To mark the Queen's 90th Birthday followed by Northborough's Street Party from 11.30am

Coffee Morning

A coffee morning to be held for Parkinsons UK on Saturday 21 May at The Salvation Army Citadel 1203 Bourges Boulevard Peterborough PE1 2AU. from 10.00 - 1.00. There will be bacon rolls, Cakes, Craft stalls and various other stalls.

Relaxing meditation retreat at Rutland Water

When the turbulence of distracting thoughts subsides and our mind becomes still, a deep happiness and contentment naturally arises from within. This feeling of contentment and well-being helps us to cope with the busyness and difficulties of daily life. On this retreat Buddhist nun Gen Nyingpo will explain and guide meditation practices that enable us to experience a calm, spacious feeling in the mind; a deep inner relaxation. With a calm and peaceful mind, difficult situations become easier to deal with, we will feel naturally warm and well disposed towards other people, and our relationships with other people will gradually improve. Gen Nyingpo said "I'm really looking forward to leading this mini-retreat at Rutland Water, the view from the venue is stunning and the room is very quiet - ideal conditions for developing a peaceful mind."

Half Day Meditation Retreat

Sunday 15 May Buddhist nun Gen Nyingpo will guide a half day meditation retreat in the Education Room, Birdwatching Centre, Egleton, Oakham, LE15 8BT. The retreat runs 10am to 12.15pm and will have 2 sessions with a break for refreshments. Retreat cost is £15 (includes parking pass), pre booking is required. Book online: www.meditateinpeterborough.org.uk

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tribunediary The theme of Dementia Awareness Week 2016 is Confronting Dementia. To raise awareness of dementia, Alzheimer’s Society is hosting numerous events around the city. We will be encouraging everyone to confront their worries by addressing dementia directly and to share their thoughts, feelings and experiences.

About Alzheimer’s Society • Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia support and research charity. • Alzheimer’s Society research shows that 850,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia. In less than ten years a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to two million people by 2051. EVENTS IN PETERBOROUGH • 225,000 will develop any questions that people have Members of staff and volunteers dementia this year, that’s one about dementia. The Alzheimer’s from Alzheimer’s Society will be every three minutes. Society team are particularly keen available to answer questions • Dementia costs the UK to welcome carers who are unable and offer advice, support and economy over £26 Billion per to access our services during normal year. This is the equivalent of information. Please come and visit office hours; anyone who would us! more than £30,000 per person like to know more about dementia with dementia. Thursday 12 & Friday 13 May and would like to find out about the • Alzheimer’s Society funds 9am-4pm services provided at the Dementia research into the cause, care, The Dementia Roadshow bus, Resource Centre. cure and prevention of all types Bridge Street Kevin Bowyer, Alzheimer’s Society of dementia and has committed If you would like any information Services Manager for Peterborough, to spend at least £100 million on about dementia or are interested in research over the next decade. volunteering please come to visit us said: • Alzheimer’s Society We really hope that people can on the bus where members of staff champions the rights of people will be available to give information, come along to one of our events living with dementia and the to ﬁnd out about the services we support and advice. There will be millions of people who care for leaflets and materials to pick up and provide for people affected by them. dementia. Two thirds of people take home. with dementia live in the community • Alzheimer’s Society works in Tuesday 17 May 8.30am – 4pm England, Wales and Northern yet far too many people with the Peterborough Market. We will be Ireland. condition are left feeling isolated asking everyone: ‘What would you • Alzheimer’s Society like to say to dementia?’ and inviting and lonely and unable to access supports people to live well vital services. These events in the people to hang their questions on with dementia today and funds community and at the centre could a tree. Alzheimer’s Society staff will research to find a cure for be a chance for people who are be available throughout the day to tomorrow. We rely on voluntary usually at work to access and seek answer any questions, and to offer information on services available to donations to continue our vital information and support. work. You can donate now by them. Saturday 21 May 10am-1pm calling 0330 333 0804 or visiting The Dementia Resource Centre Dementia Resource Centre, 411 alzheimers.org.uk. is a one-stop service for advice, Lincoln Road. • Alzheimer’s Society provides information and support, ensuring Open morning. Everyone is a National Dementia Helpline, people living with dementia and welcome. Staff will be available to the number is 0300 222 11 22 or their carers in Peterborough are show visitors around the centre and visit alzheimers.org.uk. able to get the help they need in to offer advice, support and answer • Alzheimer’s Society YouTube everyday life. channel www.youtube.com/ AlzheimersSociety • What do you want to say to dementia? If you’d like to get involved in the week and If would like any further information regarding our Dementia spread awareness, share what Awareness Week events please call the Dementia Resource Centre you want to say to dementia at on 01733 893853. The charity is also looking for volunteers locally – alzheimers.org.uk/DAW for more information please call Debbie Holmes on 01733 893853.

Dementia Awareness Week

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Hidden Treasures and Open Doors

tribunediary

Peterborough Open Exhibition 2016 18 March-15 June

Hidden at the rear of the Peterborough Museum in Priestgate is the City Gallery, which is currently hosting the Peterborough Open 2016. There were 400 entries submitted, 76 works chosen from 69 artists. Four artists from 'Tribland' have made the grade. Peter Hayward explores dynamic abstraction through collage and paint. James Tovey shows an autobiographical still life (Jim is a Boatwright). AnneMarie Burke has made a delicate study of her Grandchild David in pastel. John McGowan has a screenprint from his Docklands series on show. It is difficult to give an overall review of an 20

exhibition that is so varied but I think visitors will find something to their taste to reward their efforts in finding the exhibition.

PAOS Open Studios 25/26 June, 2/3 July and 9/10 July

Open Studios returns in June and July. Once again our local artists open their doors to the public on three weekends. You can be sure of a warm welcome, interesting arts and craft and very often a cup of tea and a chat. This year Emma Burt joins us at 4 West Barn, Clare Court, Helpston. She is a textile designer who creates unique abstract, mixed media paintings and hand dyed silk weaves. Peter Hayward and Hilary Dunne are showing their work in their Helpston Barns and why

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not take a trip up the hill past the school in Castor to see Jim Tovey’s unique exploration of his Torii theme. If that sounds mysterious, it is! Go and see them.

John McGowan and Jerome Hunt Exhibition

25 June-13 July – Open Studios weekends included. John McGowan is out of his studio and into the Gallery at Stamford Art Centre. He is sharing the space with Peterborough artist and ‘OneEyed cats’ saxophonist Jerome Hunt. John McGowan's Northborough Studio will be open during the Northborough Open Gardens on 19 June.

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Sing for Life 2016: supporting Sue Ryder’s Thorpe Hall Hospice

f many highly successful charity fundraising projects run by Peterborough Male Voice Choir and Peterborough Voices in the last five years, Sing for Life 2014 was one of the very best, involving over 100 local women, raising many thousands of pounds for Sue Ryder’s Thorpe Hall Hospice Appeal, and featuring on ITV Anglia news to boot! It’s Sing for Life time again, and the project will once more be supporting Sue Ryder’s Thorpe Hall Hospice, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Having opened a fantastic new state-ofthe-art facility last July at a cost of £6m, the hospice needs to raise a staggering £7,500 a day just to cover running costs, providing incredible care for patients and their families. Launching in June, Sing for Life 2016 will engage 40 local women in a 12-week pop-up project which will see them perform live on stage in a charity fundraising concert at Peterborough’s much-loved Broadway Theatre in September. Absolutely no previous experience is needed, just a willingness to come along and get stuck in!

Will Prideaux – Director of Sing for Life - says “singing is such a life-affirming activity, and to come together for such a fantastic cause creates a real buzz. It doesn’t matter if your previous singing experience has only been in the bath, come along and have a go! We’ve got a fantastic team of professional vocal coaches and mentors who will have you feeling confident in no time!” Jo Marriott, Senior Hospice Fundraiser at Thorpe Hall says “We’re absolutely thrilled that Sing for Life will be supporting us once again. This is a wonderful initiative to encourage people to try something new – members of Thorpe Hall staff have been involved in the past and they have enthused about the whole experience and the confidence it has given them. We look forward to following the progress of the project and to working together to fundraise for Thorpe Hall.” In previous years the project has been inundated with singers, many of whom have gone on to join Peterborough Voices and never looked back! Since 2011 the women have performed with musical greats including Blake, Bernie Nolan, Grimethorpe Colliery Band, Black Dyke Band,

the King’s Singers, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Band of the RAF Regiment , not to mention touring to Italy, where they sang mass in Siena Cathedral, and – in October – to Barcelona to compete in the Canta al Mar International Choral Competition. There’s never a dull moment! Jo Cheung – who joined Sing for Life in 2012 - reminisces “after singing a few scales I was informed I should go and join the Soprano 1 section. I had no idea what a Soprano was, but it didn’t matter, because from that point on, I was part of something amazing! Without doubt my most memorable moment came last year when I was given the unbelievable opportunity to sing a duet in front of an audience of over 1,000 people with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. If someone had told me four years ago I’d be doing that I’d think they were nuts!” “I’ve made some great friends doing something I love and that I still find exhilarating, challenging, hard work and utterly rewarding…long may it continue!” So go on, give it a go, who knows where your journey will lead!

For further information call 01733 425194 or email info@peterboroughmvchoir.org.uk Introduction sessions will be at the Broadway Theatre, Peterborough on

Friday 24 June (7-9pm) and Saturday 25 June (10am-12pm). villagetribune.org.uk

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"We’ve a cunning plan ..."

There was public disquiet and a fair bit of ‘noise’ around the recent planning application for 80-odd houses outside the village of Barnack and, although the scheme was refused, we thought it might be of interest to find a bit more out about whether it could happen again? We asked our regular Tribune contributor, PCC Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning Services, Cllr Peter Hiller to comment:

eter responded to the Trib: “Last July the Cabinet discussed and agreed my timetable for the preparation of a new Local Plan (LP), and in December council agreed that the draft version we’d written should go out to public consultation. This new LP is needed to respond to changes to National Planning Policy, new housing needs numbers and, amongst many other areas, to ensure your council (PCC) can maintain at least a fiveyear supply of deliverable housing sites. Our new LP also sets out our vision and objectives and identifies the broad distributions and areas for growth, setting out how the City and our surrounding villages will grow and change over the next twenty years, replacing the existing adopted Plans. Both PCC Leader Cllr John Holdich and I have a clear mandate to protect our precious countryside from inappropriate schemes and it’s my belief this new LP will help us continue to do

that in future. In addition we are fortunate to have the nationallyrecognised UK Planning Team of the year at Peterborough and I’m proud of what we manage to achieve professionally, the measurable quality of customer service we’re able to maintain (given the cuts we’ve endured from Westminster) and the scope of the planning services and expertise we now sell to other Local Authorities” Peter continued “On the advice of our planning officers, the Gladman’s scheme in Barnack was unanimously refused by our planning committee members for a number of defined planning reasons, not least of which (as was eloquently promoted by local objectors at the hearing) was the fact that this proposal was sited outside the Barnack village envelope, in open countryside. Any refusal by a Local Planning Authority however is open to appeal to the Inspectorate by the applicant. Gladman’s application

had additionally stated the PCC had only a 3.6 year housing land supply (using 2014 figures) and, if we had not had proper evidence to support that we have adequate deliverable sites for the next 5 years housing requirement, the Inspector may well have considered this to override the other reasons for refusal. I am confident we have done just that as part of our new LP process. On 15 January this year we published our 5-year housing land supply document, which demonstrates that PCC has in fact over 6 years housing land supply. We consider the policies within our plan are up to date and do not need to be set aside, as per the National Planning Policy Framework in instances where a 5-year deliverable supply of housing land cannot be demonstrated. As I said at the planning committee hearing, this scheme was speculative and predatory and I hope village residents were reassured by the decision we made”

Cllr Peter Hiller is happy to respond to rural/conservation area planning policy queries E: glintoncastorward@mail.com

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Tom' s Musings

Is Variety dead? “Either Domino’s two-for-one is on again, or someone forgot to sell the tickets!”

was struck today when catching a little of the inimitably imitable Flog It! programme with something of a sobering thought. The idea of Flog It! if you weren’t aware is that Paul Martin occupies a landmark for a day and his pied piper nature beckons people of leisure towards said landmark to flaunt their antiques. I suppose it is what the zombie apocalypse will be like in Blighty. Forget brain addictions, our zombies will be shuffling towards towns and cities with their collectible china in one hand and their Thermos of English Breakfast tea in the other periodically taking a break to take the weight off their feet in some quaint tea room with a nice scone. Anyway, I digress. It was today that Paul’s haunt was the pier at Weston-super-Mare. Us Brits have this obsession with building things that go out into the ocean for no reason. Apparently they were originally used as landing points for steamers but we decided that we wanted our funfair without the annoying passengers getting in the way. As is the case with all programs from the Beeb, there were a couple of time filler clips. Auntie B loves putting these on. I suppose it’s so they have less stuff to do for the actual proper program, a pseudo ad-break if you will. They pop up all over the place: Escape to the Country, Flog It!, Antiques Roadshow and of course Bargain Hunt just to name a few. On second thoughts, perhaps this shows that I need to get a life and stop watching the BBC’s entire back-catalogue of daytime telly. Oh well…. It was in one of these clips the topic of variety theatre came up. Another distinctly British invention, 26

variety is where a series of performers, each doing something completely different, display their act in front of a hopefully appreciative audience. This kind of entertainment was quite popular with the average person in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and indeed it did pull in a few folk from the more wealthier lineages too. In it, the pleasingly boring-in-a-Britishkind-of-way guest bemoaned the death of variety and the ‘summer season’ in humble seaside towns. One of the modern outlets of variety performance was given as Britain’s Got Talent. Now, this is true. As long as you are reasonably captivating you can get on and strut your stuff in front of a good proportion of the nation, while the rest (including me) cower in the comforting warmth of Top Gear repeats on Dave just to get away. Indeed, Queenie’s Royal Variety Show is one of the stalwarts of Brit-culture. Sadly though, all of the other variety outlets seem to be dying. The few remaining ones at seaside towns seem only to pull in punters as they want to live out some fond and nostalgic memory of their childhood holidays to the coast and subject their children to the same as they had been subjected to. Variety seems to have well and truly gone out of fashion, which is a terrible shame. What once was fun and exiting now seems just a little tacky and bygone. Our need for entertainment that can be enjoyed with the whole family has been replaced by a hankering for private enjoyment on displays. Our comedy tastes have changed, I suppose we have matured a little. Magic has lost it’s sparkle and working man’s club comedy seems a little dry now.

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The virtual shrinking of the world, bringing better entertainment closer, has killed the variety show simply because of a more focussed stream of simply stunning entertainment, the kind that once before would have been very rare indeed. Famous comedians and comediennes are a relative new phenomenon. Previously, good ones may have had a local reputation and might have been lucky enough to get a gig on radio. Now we have loads of channels on Telly to bring the best people to you. This migration of entertainment indoors has endangered more than just variety, look at pubs. Where once the salt of the earth would have all gone down to the pub for a natter over a pint they’re all cooped up in front of Gogglebox or some similar content. Now, variety itself isn’t dead. The places we used to go to see it are, but the principal is still alive and kicking. Of course, Britain’s Got Talent rumbles on, we all love a bit of Morecambe and Wise and of course Monty Python has quite the following. Live at the Apollo is a comedy centred variety show too. We still love a bit of variety in Britain, it’s just that now we watch it on TV, and dispense with the sword-swallowers and ventriloquists. I’m sure the fondness for the variety theatre will return some day, just as it does for everything else British like handmade crockery and chintzy curtains.. Right now, though, the takeaway pizza is too good to brave the British weather to haul yourself into a dimly lit theatre to squint at a dog juggling. Oh well. On that note, I bid you farewell.

http://bit.ly/1X38ZfC

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Mark's well-known for his 'rabbiting' but this month he gets to do the real thing – a reminder of his youth, on a day out with a friend, some nets and a bunch of ferrets

Country Sports

espite the efforts of TV chefs, we British seem a little reluctant to eat rabbit these days. It's odd, because Britain was once so keen on rabbit that every feudal lord had enclosures to breed them for the table. There were so many warrens that the surname 'Warren' became a really common one in the UK – a name, like 'Butcher' derived from the occupation of the family. This decline really should be reversed. My mother told me that, just after the war, with rationing everywhere, rabbit was on every family's weekly menu, and young lads would hunt them with everything from snares to dogs. Though I once snared rabbits, I've come to think that catching animals in wire nooses is inherently cruel and indiscriminate. But as a lad, I also knew the long-netters, whose clever 'drop net' traps, working alongside dogs used to hustle the rabbits into them, were highly effective. Long-netting isn't practised as much these days, but is only ever worthwhile if large numbers of rabbits could be sold. These days, most remaining rabbit catchers use ferrets, and one of my friends, Robert, is carrying this tradition forward.

with Mark Williams

Like long-netting, ferreting is a humane way of catching rabbits. The ferrets get deep into the warrens and scare the rabbits into bolting out of the holes, where they tangle in a purse net. The ferreter very swiftly despatches the rabbit with a tug to break its neck... literally two seconds, and it's over. Now, I know many people are uncomfortable with this, but the truth is, rabbits cause so much damage to crops and to flood banks. These days, a great many are gassed, and die underground, slowly and quite wastefully. Indeed, the custodians of public land choose poisoning by gas instead of ferreting because of the attitude of the public to ferreting. This is ridiculous Robert learned his skills from a man who would have been ferreting in the 1950s: “He was in his eighties, and so passionate about it that, at the end, he could no longer stoop and helped me set the purse nets with his walking stick,” he tells me. The rabbits we had been asked to cull were digging deep holes in a horse paddock, with the very real danger that the expensive horses could trip in them and break a leg. Robert very skilfully assessed each warren, covered

each hole with the nets and then brought out two of his friendly, hand-tame female jill ferrets to do their work. Each has a radio collar so that, should the ferret corner a rabbit or even decide on a quick snooze underground, the ferreter can locate it and dig it out. Within an hour, his much-loved albino jill, which is blind in one eye, had decided to park herself. So Robert dug for a full 45 minutes, until he had a three-foot hole – at which point, the old jill suddenly moved and popped up seconds later from an adjacent hole.... It was a productive morning, though, with a couple of rabbits for the pot and the great thrill of disturbing a stoat during his rabbiting – a fantastic little animal which moved like quicksilver. My Italian father-in-law was really pleased with his rabbit after I'd paunched it and skinned it. He was brought up in great hardship and, like my parents, had a soft spot for the lovely, tender white meat of a rabbit. I think we should all give rabbit stew another go, especially with so many people trying to avoid fatty meat. Rabbit is very low in cholesterol and high in protein – great food and, for me, much tastier than supermarket chicken.

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tribuneheritage

Heroes Villains by Dr Avril Lumley Prior

Last year, I wrote about ‘’Maids and Matrons of Mark’, indomitable ladies who touched Tribland for better or for worse (Trib. 95). Now it is the gentlemen’s turn as I introduce you to a selection of benefactors and brigands, traitors and tyrants, the clever and courageous, the good, the bad and the dangerous to know. In some cases, the dividing line between hero and villain is exceedingly thin, depending on your viewpoint. Therefore, I leave you to pass your own judgements. We begin with Wulgeat, King Wiglaf of Mercia’s manservant, who perhaps gave us our earliest reference to the place-name Peakirk, when he purportedly donated three virgates of land at Peichurche to Crowland Abbey, in 833AD. Of course, Wulgeat’s grant is questionable since it is embedded in the fourteenthcentury false chronicle of ‘Abbot Ingulph’. Indeed, Crowland Abbey was not founded until c.971, although it appears that there was a community of guardians of St. Guthlac’s shrine, who would have relished such a gift. Moreover, respected 30

historians, David Roffe and Alfred Hyatt, have deduced that some of the charters interpolated into ‘Abbot Ingulph’s’ chronicle may contain grains of truth. Above all, it is possible to trace Wulgeat’s virgates through to 1116, when Abbot Geoffrey of Crowland held land and eight houses in Peakirk and convened his manorial court there, much to the chagrin of the abbot of Peterborough. It was not until 1481 that Archbishop Thomas of York ordered Abbot Richard of Crowland to surrender all his Peakirk and Glinton possessions to his rival, Abbot William of Peterborough. Meanwhile, King Swein of Denmark, a demon of the deepest dye, arrived in the area in 1013. According to ‘Abbot Ingulph’, he immediately set about destroying Peakirk, Glinton, Northborough, Maxey, Etton, Bainton and Barnack and slaughtering or enslaving their inhabitants. Swein’s death in 1014 allowed Sigeferth respite enough to build his ‘New Minster’ at Peakirk in the honour of the Holy Trinity, The Virgin Mary and All Hallows and King Eadmund Ironside to

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endow it with land in Peakirk and Walton, in 1016. Fortunately, when Swein’s son, Cnut the Great (1016-35), became ruler of all England, he realised that the only way to win the hearts and minds of his conquered subjects was to embrace Christianity and restore monastic lands and privileges. Other ‘Christian’ leaders, like the proverbial parson’s egg, were good in parts. I have written already about Abbot Richard of Ashton [near Bainton], the lascivious abbot of Peterborough (1439-71), who turned over a new leaf after he was caught in flagrante. Richard received just a slap-on-the-wrist from the Bishop of Lincoln, who realised that his appointed abbot’s amorous antics ultimately reflected upon him. In return, Abbot Richard dismissed his three mistresses, closed his supposedly-abstemious monks’ bar in the cloisters and stopped their late-night revels with ‘ladies-of-the-town’. He devoted the rest of his life to good works and with the help of his almoner, Brother William of Morton, pulled Peterborough from the brink of bankruptcy (Trib. 89).

tribuneheritage In contrast, I cannot find a whiff of scandal about Gaufridus [Geoffrey] de Ufford (died c.1191), a master-scribe of Peterborough Abbey. His manuscript (preserved in the British Library as Stowe 57) comprises an anthology of essays, Easter tables and lists of popes and events pertaining to Peterborough, Thorney and Ramsey Abbeys, written in Latin and French and illuminated with pen-and-ink sketches and colourful motifs. Gaufridus was so highly regarded that he and his colleague, Hugh Candidus (of Peterborough Chronicle fame), were entrusted with endorsing a charter whilst Abbot Martin de Bec was in Rome visiting Pope Eugenius III in 1146/7. The document concerned Robert de Torpel, who reputedly had contracted leprosy whilst campaigning in the Holy Land. Realising that death was nigh and seeking to be fast-tracked to Heaven, Robert relinquished the profits from his manors in Cotterstock and Glapthorn to St Leonard’s Leper Hospice in Peterborough, in exchange for burial in a monk’s habit and perpetual prayers for his soul. Thus, despite his past transgressions, he possibly could hoodwink St Peter into opening the Pearly Gates for him without asking too many awkward questions. In 1189, one of Robert’s relatives, Roger de Torpel, exchanged Cotterstock and Glapthorn for his manor at Maxey, which remained the monastery’s possession until its dissolution by Henry VIII in 1539. Another, albeit-brief, lord of Torpel was the disreputable Piers Gaveston (c.1284-1312), the son of Arnaud de Gabaston, a knight from the English colony of Gascony, who had served Edward I loyally for many years. Admiring his military prowess, the king admitted Gaveston to

the royal household to instruct his impressionable, teenage son, Edward Prince of Wales, in the art of chivalry. However, his bad influence upon the youth and offensive nicknames made him so unpopular that the king banished him from the realm. Eventually, the bereft Edward persuaded his father to re-instate his ‘mentor’ and give him a knighthood. Gaveston showed his gratitude when he and 21 comrades deserted the Scottish Wars in favour of attending a joust. In January 1307, the prince’s increasing obsession with Gaveston forced Edward I to exile him again. When the king died later that year, the now Edward II immediately summoned his friend back to court and married him to his niece, Margaret of Gloucester. Gaveston were already notorious in our area. In preparation for Prince Edward’s visit to Peterborough Abbey in 1302, Abbot Geoffrey commissioned an Anglo-French poem, describing the history of the monastery from its foundation in 655. He also produced a heavily-revised charter (allegedly granted by Wulfhere of Mercia, in 664), copied onto a huge scroll to be read to the royal audience. It listed the abbey’s purported late seventh-century possessions, including the Greater Tribland estates of Peakirk and Glinton, Castor, Ailsworth, Sutton, Upton, Barnack, Southorpe, Pilsgate, Ufford, Bainton, Ashton, Torpel, Maxey, Lolham, Nunton, Deeping Gate, Helpston, Etton, Woodcroft and Northborough, some of which could not have existed in King Wulfhere’s time (65875), whilst others existed under different names. We cannot tell whether Abbot Geoffrey knew that ‘Wulfhere’s’ charter was a twelfthcentury forgery but he clearly hoped that Edward would one day restore the manors of Torpel and Upton, which were now Crown

properties. Unfortunately, Abbot Geoffrey’s plans backfired when he presented the prince with an expensive robe, causing Gaveston to throw a spectacular tantrum because he wanted one too. Although a second garment was procured, the moment was lost. Edward seemingly did not forget the slight against his favourite and, in June 1308, he gave Torpel and Upton to Gaveston. In 1309, Gaveston exchanged the two manors for the Earldom of Cornwall, inciting the wrath of the barons [ruling elite], who vowed to engineer his downfall. After a brief period as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Gaveston returned to England in 1311 but his extravagance, outrageous behaviour and manipulation of Edward II caused the barons to press for him to be outlawed and expelled once more. A year later, he sneaked back into the country, was captured and put to death by Thomas of Lancaster and Guy Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, on 19 June 1312. Edward is said to have met an equally-grisly fate in 1327 at Berkeley Castle at the instigation of his indignant and neglected wife, Isabella ‘the she Wolf of France’, and her lover, Roger Mortimer. Now, we fast-forward over 300 years, to the English Civil War (1642-51). I have previously mentioned the hapless Dr Michael Hudson, Charles I’s chaplain, who was pursued by the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell’s henchmen to the battalions of Woodcroft Castle, where he was mutilated as he attempted to escape, then murdered in the moat (Trib. 91). Apparently, there were other pockets of resistance to Puritanism in Tribland for Cromwell’s own daughter, Elizabeth, was married to, John Claypole of Northborough Castle, a dyed-in-the-wool Royalist who, nevertheless, cared for Cromwell’s widow in her twilight years and >>

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tribuneheritage

Prince Edward and Gaveston (Marcus Stone, 1872)

Northborough Manor >> interred her in his family chapel of Northborough church, in 1665. In Peakirk, there is a tradition that the skeletal remains of a member of Cromwell’s New Model Army were found beneath the stone flags of a cottage somewhere in the village, still wearing his breastplate and distinctive helmet. Sadly, I can find no evidence to corroborate this deliciously-macabre tale and the survival of the armour certainly arouses suspicion. In an age when even second-hand underwear was a valuable commodity, why didn’t the perpetrators strip the body of its assets? Or were they trying to eradicate all signs of their victim’s presence by burying him intact? Or was the story-teller inventing the armour as a means of identification of a perceived old enemy? We may never know – unless, someone out there can reveal more about the legend of the ‘Peakirk Roundhead’ . . . Our next personality is the multi-talented Edmund Tyrell Artis (1789-1847), a natural historian, geologist, archaeologist, surveyor, artist, draughtsman, chef, entrepreneur and womaniser par 32

excellence. Born in Suffolk, he became apprenticed to his uncle, a London vintner, then opened his own confectioner’s shop where he specialised in elaborate sugar centre-pieces for upmarket diningtables. In 1813, Artis was spotted by Earl Fitzwilliam, who soon made him head steward of his two grand houses at Milton, near Castor, and Wentworth, South Yorkshire, where the family were mine owners. It was in Yorkshire that Artis developed an interest in plant fossils, some of which he extracted from the coal face himself. Among his 1,500 specimens he identified 21 hitherto-unknown species, which bear the genus ‘Artisia’. Consequently, Artis was proclaimed the leading phytologist [ancient plant expert] of his era. Yet astonishingly, he sold his collection to the Natural History Museum to finance his archaeological enterprises. In 1821, Artis had discovered significant Roman ruins in the vicinity of Castor church, which he interpreted as the remains of bath house and part of a massive prætorium or headquarters for the town of Durobrivæ on the opposite bank of the River Nene, at Water Newton. Frequently aided by John Clare, Helpston’s ‘peasant poet’, Artis managed to juggle his stewardship duties with excavating the site until 1826, when an imprudent, extra-marital romp forced him to leave Fitzwilliam’s employ and decamp to Doncaster. There, he purchased The Club House at the race course which provided hospitality for the nobility and gentry during St Ledger Week each September. Artis’ culinary skills made the enterprise a great success, culminating in his entertainment of the Duke of Wellington. The brevity of the racing season conveniently left Artis plenty of time to resume digging in the Castor area,

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including Normangate Field, where he uncovered numerous pottery kilns and iron-smelters as well as villæ and bath-houses at Mill Hill, [Castor], Sutton, Stibbington, Water Newton, Wansford and Helpston and in Durobrivæ, whose earthworks then called ‘The Castles’.

Castor Church and Roman bathhouse by Edmund Artis (1824) Artis supervises the excavation of a pottery kiln (1824) In May 1828, Artis published his masterwork, The Durobrivæ of Antoninus, containing 60 sumptuous plates of the maps, plans and drawings of his excavations and finds. Tantalisingly, there is no accompanying text and there is an unsubstantiated rumour that all his notes were destroyed by his long-suffering wife, Elizabeth. Artis died at Doncaster on 24 December 1847 but his body was returned to Castor for burial next to the porch in St Kyneburgha’s churchyard, which appropriately overlays the former courtyard of his Roman prætorium. In 2010, Time Team came to the village to assess the accuracy of Artis’ surveys and found them to be absolutely spot-on. An equally-illustrious Tribland resident was Charles Kingsley >>

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tribuneheritage >> (1819-75), author of the children’s classics, Westward Ho (1855), The Water Babies (1863) and Hereward the Wake (1865). The son of a Devon clergyman, Charles senior and his wife, Mary Lucas, Charles junior moved to Barnack when his father was appointed rector, in 1832. After graduating from Magdalene College, Cambridge, Charles junior progressed from Rector of Eversley, Hampshire (1842), to Queen Victoria’s chaplain (1859) and private tutor to another Edward Prince of Wales [later Edward VII] (1862). In 1870, Kingsley became a canon of Chester Cathedral and, in 1873, of Westminster Abbey. However, although social reform was high on his agenda, by modern standards he was a racist and religious bigot.

Barnack Rectory, 1810 Sir James Bradford Almshouses, Helpston Less famous are Charles’ brothers, George Henry (1827-92) and Henry Kingsley (1830-76), both of whom were born at Barnack Rectory [now Kingsley House]. George forged a distinguished career as a doctor, linguist, field naturalist and explorer. Henry also was a naturalist as well as a journalist and war correspondent, who wrote several novels and accounts of his adventures whilst serving in the Australian Mounted Police. For my final case-study, I have chosen Sir James Bradford (1841-

1930), the Helpston philanthropist, partly because he is the namesake of my thrice great-grandfather, a Sussex mariner, who romantically called his daughter ‘Harriet’ after the schooner that brought him to his Sunderland sweetheart. In contrast, Helpston’s James Bradford had both feet firmly on dry land. His parents, William and Millicent Bradford kept the Blue Bell public house in Woodgate, one of John Clare’s watering-holes, though James could not have met the poet for, by 1841, Clare was ensconced in Northampton Asylum. In 1855, James found employment at Helpston Station as a general clerk to the Midland Railway company but relocated to Peterborough and the Great Northern Railway in 1860. After a brief spell at Retford, he returned to Peterborough as Superintendent in 1865 and thence to Doncaster in 1868. In 1872, he made a sideways move to Portsmouth to work for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. In 1876, he resigned to become Chairman of the Wainfleet, Firsby and Skegness Railway, settling in Brighton, Sussex, where he married Emma Jane, opened a hotel and became involved in local politics. He was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1903 and was knighted in 1914. Despite his success, James never forgot Helpston and financed the James Bradford Almshouses in West Street, on land donated by the Fitzwilliam family. When they were opened in 1907, he personally escorted each of the six residents into his/her new home. While my sea-faring ancestor swapped Sussex for a northern shore, Sir James retired to Hayward’s Heath where he founded six more almshouses. He died there on 24 April 1930. Alas! Once again I am running out of space. I would have liked to have said more about Thomas Alderkyrke of Peakirk, who

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Glinton War Memorial rustled a steer worth 8 shillings from Ralph Campion of Glinton, in 1423. About Thomas Grysley of Woodcroft, who stole a horse worth 3 shillings and 4 pence from Robert Strete of Helpston and a coat, bow and other goods valued at 20 shillings from John Milner of Lolham, in 1424. And of John Wyldbore of Glinton Manor who made an eloquent (but undated) confession to the drunken murder of his neighbour, graciously thanking his audience for attending his execution. Petty criminals and a hopeless alcoholic or incorrigible villains? Their destination was the gallows. Still looking for a hero? Then, in this centenary year of the bone-grinding battles of Verdun (21 February to 16 December 1916) and The Somme (1 July to 18 November), seek no further than your local War Memorial. There, you will find the names of countless brave men and boys who went to fight for Cause, King and Country, never to return. These are our real ‘Men of Mark’. We will remember them. ␣ The author acknowledges George Boyden’s article on James Bradford, published in the Helpston Chronicle, Winter 1988 (The Trib’s forerunner). 35

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WH THE ISPE RER rumours

Runway rumour s

Some heavy du ty groundwork in Peakirk yesterd ay. Rumours of a third runway are unfounded in th e absence of a first or second runw ay

chill of Chur cy Astor: it w e h T an on ill and N

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Missing goldfish

Weed killer

ed this pile The Whisperer notic mped at of discarded junk du Helpston n ee tw be de the roadsi . More rm Fa and Willow Brook have s nd frie ’ ise t-w ree ‘st the remnants suggested that it’s ouse”? of a ‘Cannabis hot-h

I have lost a goldfi sh! It was there yesterday in the po nd I'm sure, but someone has sto len it. When I went outside today the re was just the ca t watching a bird, sit ting on the roof.

p Golden dro

Lost and found

Anyone lost a sofa on the bridleway off Etton-Maxey road towards the tunnels under the A15?

name t the street ondered wha es from. One w n te of ve m I ha co p (Helpston) g nearby Golden Dro that the sprin ater en be s ha n w rd ha to d explanatio er as oppose at ther w no ft A so . ea as w e ar mmon in th ring water sp e which was co th at th today was was the road explanation honey. Also ith w ed ix m ideas? was ? Any other once a stream

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Found YOU on

Facebook Richard Astle Langdyke Countryside Trust Milton Estates are currently doing some work in Royce wood, removing conifers with a view to restoring the wood to a seminatural, native wood. In the long term this is good news for nature,

as it will allow more light into the wood and encourage flowers and shrubs to grow under the trees, which is also good for butterflies and other insects. It might be a bit of a mess in the short term though, but generally forest management is good for nature! Peakirk Village Hall Children's Easter Party On 24 April, Viki Wilson from Peakirk will be running the London Marathon to raise money for Children with Cancer UK. As part of the fundraising she organised the Easter Party held last sunday

and raised an amazing ÂŁ342. Events included an Easter egg hunt, egg and spoon race and an Easter bonnet parade. That's Viki on the stage with her Easter bunny helper. Any support for her charity would be very welcome. 38

David Hankins Peakirk Litter Pick Defying the cold and damp this stalwart bunch of Peakirk folk have spent the morning tidying up the village. Doris the dog came back with a discarded ball and everyone came back to the village hall for a bacon butty and cup of tea except Doris.I think she's vegetarian.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d rather be in Deeping Really delicious lunch at the Bluebell at Helpston yesterday with lovely friends from Bourne - ciabatta with ham and mayo and herb cheese scone and lots of pretty things to buy and private corners to sit and a lovely bright restaurant too - will def be going back!

Janel Nellie Just been sat at Lolham Crossing (around 12 noon) behind a large cement Lorry and in front of two other lorries, we had to wait while two vans, two cars and a car and a caravan came across the track from the direction of Helpston! I thought this road was closed? And one-way only, maybe it would help if the old signage was removed and a large no entry sign was placed at the small bridge before the crossing? More must be done before someone gets seriously injured by an oncoming vehicle.

Peter Hiller Great Easter egg hunt and gettogether at Maxey village hall today. Stalls, teas and cakes organised by Maxey village hall committee. Kids loved it, and so did we!

John Holdich Some while back I posted regarding volunteers for the Deepings Practice Car Scheme, regarding the quest to find a replacement for the retiring coordinator of the VCS. I am delighted to be able to tell you that, as from 1st April that role will be taken over by Yvonne Neverson (Tel 01733 254171). Hopefully, in the near future, posters will be available displaying the new details and I will post an electronic copy, as and when. In the meanwhile whatever you are able to do to publicise the name and phone number of the new coordinator will be most appreciated.

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Peter Hiller Nine Bridges update as I promised last month. At court today the magistrate determined in PCC's favour and fined Mr O'Connor, who both attended and pleaded guilty,

a total of over ÂŁ2,000. This I think confirmed the seriousness the court took his breach of our planning enforcement notice. The right result for residents, John Holdich and I as the Ward councillors and the PCC and, travelling back from Peterborough this afternoon, it appears the family (including the dog!) have now vacated the site, although several cars remain parked on it.

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Found YOU on

Facebook Brenda Ellis Couldn't believe the speed of one car passing my kitchen window on Oak Rd this lunchtime. If a child had stepped out on to the road, as they do sometimes they would have been killed. Cannot believe the stupidity of some drivers, especially as we are coming to the time when children play in the street. Black car driven by a young lady, you would not forgive yourself if the worst was to happen, there are many young children on this street, it is after all a residential area. Action against ďŹ&#x201A;ytippers in Peterborough has been promised by the city council after residents took to social media to highlight the problem. Local resident, Mike Jones got in contact with the Peterborough Telegraph to highlight one problem area in North Fen Road, Glinton

Tracey Robson Another eyesore at Nine Bridges

Steve Zealand I have to say I am impressed with the quality of the engineering works on the pavement refurbishment from Cuckoo Corner along the old Lincoln Road. However I am wondering why so much effort was put into a pavement that is so little used, as most people walk on the closed road next to it, whilst the pavement along Deeping St James Road remains in such poor condition. It slopes 20-25 degrees into the dyke and is extremely difficult to walk on, even for the able bodied. I wonder if there are any plans to fix that one too. I hope so.

Trevor Harvey A lovely sight coming home to Helpston yesterday

Cecilia Hammond Two beautiful Teds, who will become precious friends to Chernobyl Children in Belarus. Our workers visit children in the remote, contaminated villages for whom toys are a rarity. Thank you so much, Susie Caney, they are beautiful. Claire Spooner Does anyone know what is being pumped into our village streams by the builders on Broadwheel Road, Helpston?

Andy Lowings The footballer Bert Murray is leaving The Bull at Deeping after many years as landlord. Friend and Chelsea teammate of Terry Venables, Tommy Docherty and other greats. He was awarded a CAMRA award for keeping a fine team of real ales in the top league.

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tribunegreen Call-out for Green Festival artists

Peterborough Green Festival dates announced 13 - 21 August

he independent charity Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) is delighted to announce that it’s annual Green Festival is back – bigger and better than ever before! This year the event is heating up, moving to a new summertime date of Saturday 13 August, with fringe events running through to 21 August. In addition to this, the charity is thrilled to announce that the Festival has been awarded Arts Council funding for a three-year period, bringing a fantastic £73,500 funding into the city. This funding will be used to commission artists to create

innovative artworks for the Festival – whether its street theatre, visual art or spoken word – to promote sustainable living and encourage people to take positive actions for their local and global environment. The 2016 Festival has been sponsored by Travelchoice, which will also allow sustainable transport to be highlighted in exciting and thoughtprovoking ways. Bringing together attractions, community groups, charities and businesses, the Green Festival celebrates everything ‘green’ in Peterborough with a wide variety of events and activities running, offering plenty of free fun for the whole family.

Peterborough Environment City Trust is looking to commission six artists (open to all disciplines) to create new works for the annual Green Festival. The artists will work alongside the charity and an Artistic Producer to create works which will form part of the Green Festival launch day on Saturday 13th August 2016 and the rest of the Festival week. The Festival encourages visitors to discover how to live more sustainably and to develop long-term behaviour change. Areas of focus include everything from sustainable transport, recycling, locally and sustainably produced food, and nature and biodiversity. PECT is seeking proposals from emerging and established creative practitioners who are principally interested in developing an engaging piece of work that captures the public’s imagination. Deadline for applications is Wednesday 16th March 2016. For more information visit the website at www.pect.org.uk.

For more information and to be kept up to date on the latest event details visit: www.pect.org.uk. Join in the conservation online @SustainableCity with #PECTGreenFest.

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Barnack Test Centre Class IV Mots

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tribunegreen

93,579 trees planted through Forest for Peterborough project! Since the project launched in 2010, Forest for Peterborough has planted an amazing 93,579 trees across the city. Our last planting season ran from October 2015 through to March 2016, during which time 6,000 trees were planted with fantastic help from all our wonderful volunteers. Simon Belham, Project Officer

The independent charity Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) is celebrating another successful planting season with the Forest for Peterborough project, which culminated in a fantastic tree giveaway for residents in Stanground on Saturday 26 March. “We are so grateful for the support of our volunteers and the hard work they put in to improve the local environment for the benefit of residents and wildlife – none of this could have been achieved without them. A special thank you goes to the Mick George Community Fund for funding the project this year, plus extra support we received from

IKEA Distribution and Buckles Solicitors,” says Simon. The Forest for Peterborough project was launched in 2010, and it aims to plant over 180,000 trees by 2030, which is one tree for every person living in Peterborough. In an area where tree coverage is below the national average, the project aims to create a network of wooded areas to improve our green spaces. PECT delivers projects which make a real difference to local communities. Support PECT’s work by donating, simply text PECT20 and the amount you want to donate to 70070 (texts are free and 100% of your donation goes directly to PECT.)

For more information, visit www.pect.org.uk or call 01733 568408. Plus find PECT on Twitter @SustainableCity.

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tastebuds Max Gastro’s

Restaurant Review Morrisons, Stamford

I hope this issue’s review finds readers well. It swings away from the normal type of eatery I write about, in that it’s actually a well-patronised local supermarket’s café. And why not? You’re served well-priced good food by very pleasant folk in comfortable surroundings which are conveniently located for the shops. Well, shop actually.

ost supermarkets have a seemingly bolted-on café of some description; but standards of offering vary widely; from affordable fodderfor-the-masses Asda fare to the unashamedly almost high-end inclination of a Waitrose. The good ‘uns are well patronised by both ancillary shoppers and diners-only clientele, enjoying often fairly basic but mostly acceptable fare at prices well below the high street restaurant norm - to reflect perhaps the undoubted ‘bargains’ to be had just a few metres away; or, perhaps in Waitrose’s case, a promise of quality: but expect to pay for it. Because they take up a lot of prime retail floor space, I’m told they’re only marginal profit centres at best but are nevertheless an important element of the retail experience, encouraging shoppers to make the supermarket a ‘occasion destination’ rather than just a quick in-and-out necessity-only visit. Contrarily, the UK’s biggest retailer Tesco has very few within its stores, preferring a shopping mall type of arrangement for 46

larger Tesco ‘hypermarkets’, with alternative food offerings alongside non-competing independent retailers. I digress. The review this issue is Morrisons Stamford and its Big Breakfast. An all-day awardwinning wonder, which fills the plate with wonder indeed, and was awarded the ‘Best Breakfast in Britain’ in last year’s respected MIDAS nationwide judging. A decent ‘full-English’ is high up on most folks’ list of great plates of food, and this is certainly one of the best. Served until 4pm at most of their 400 stores, it beat hotels, pubs and restaurants to win the title for its value for money, food quality and customer satisfaction. For under a fiver (£4.50) you’re presented with 3 rashers of British bacon, a quality British sausage, an egg cooked to your liking, 2 hash browns, Heinz baked beans, sautéed mushrooms, fried tomato, properly fried bread and complimentary HP or Heinz sauces; just add a round or two of toast and a pot of tea for a trip to comfort food heaven… So, gentlemen, next time a ‘weekly shop’ is mooted, you can be positively enthusiastic!

Morrisons Stamford.

"comfort food heaven"

Max's STAR Rating

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SERVICE

VALUE

FOOD

ATMOSPHERE

tastebuds

from the Kitchen of Chez Pierre

Soupe de poireaux et panais One of the delights of living in or travelling through France is the variety of the traditional regional food enjoyed as you cross both west to east and north to south. France is most certainly a land of contrast in both terrain and culture, with a rich array of homegrown produce similar to the UK in the northern regions, but like Italy and Spain in the warmer Mediterranean south. Every region has its own specialities, as I’ve written about many times in your magazine. This regional food, cuisine regionale, has its roots in the home cooking and is characterised by simple techniques and few ingredients bought fresh from our markets. Soups and salads form two of the cornerstones of French cooking. Soup is the traditional evening meal – in fact, supper comes from the word souper, which means ‘to take soup’. However, mes amis, of course soups are eaten at all times, even for

breakfast in rural France! Once merely a slice of crusty bread and a bowl of hot liquid, now the choice is huge: from hearty regional recipes to sophisticated, delicate consommés. At Chez Pierre we choose a limited menu of soups to offer but along with our tradition of serving only what people tell us they enjoy, a time-and-again favourite with our guests is my classic Leek and Parsnip simple creation I am telling you about now. What happens here is once you ladies have seen how cheap and easy this great food is you will develop your own variations and experiment with good results to please your friends and families, non? For four to six: one large parsnip, one large leek, one large carrot, one sliced fat garlic clove, about 5cm of spicy chorizo (diced), a tin of tomatoes, half a tin of cannellini beans, 800ml of chicken (or vegetable) stock

Thank you Janet from Helpston for your nice email, I’m so glad you and your guests enjoyed a lot last issue’s sausage cassoulet recipe. I suggest you visit Carrefour in Calais, near the Eurotunnel next time you’re in France. They sell very good Saucisse de Toulouse in 500g packs for 3.80€

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(cube is fine) Peel and chop all the veg roughly and add to the garlic, beans and tomatoes and stock in a large saucepan, bring to the boil briefly then simmer (covered) over a medium heat for about ten minutes or so. Blitz carefully with a hand-held liquidiser until smoothish, season to taste and continue to heat on low for about another half hour, stirring occasionally. It really is this simple! I serve with a lightly-chilled dry white Bordeaux, French bread and with a dollop of crème fraiche and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, chives or thyme in the centre of the bowl.

Bon Chance, Pierre x askchezpierre@gmail.com 47

Based in Helpston

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The sun does not forget a village just because it is small

villageviews Barnack and District

by Ian Burrows

This year will of course be a gala year when the whole kingdom will join together to joyously celebrate our Queen's birthday. I was born in the year that our last King Emperor was crowned, so like her, I lived through the war and was able to see the grainy pictures of her coronation on a neighbour's new and minute television screen. Like many communities throughout the kingdom, Barnack and District will be celebrating this big event. Barnack Community Association are organising a series of activities for Sunday 12 June. This will start with a service in Barnack Church, St. John Baptist, at 11pm, followed by a show in the Village Hall comprising 60 categories, including Garden Produce, Home Baking, Arts and Crafts and Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Competitions. Copies of the full schedule are available from Barnack Post Office, The Millstone, the Village Hall or direct from Debbie Martin on 01780 740048 or 07519678576.

In addition, there will be a Family Fete in the gardens of the Rectory (Millstone Lane) as well as teas and light refreshments being available in the garden of the Old Bakehouse (Village Square) and of course the landlord of the Millstone will have on tap, all day, pints of foaming ale, and other beverages to delect our senses. Make sure that you put this date, 12 June, in your diaries and come and join the denizens of Barnack and District and joyfully celebrate with us, our monarch's 90th Birthday Barnack WI has been keeping the village on tenterhooks as to whether they will leave the National Association and set up an alternative Ladies' Club. Or remain. Their vote at a recent meeting was overwhelmingly in favour of remaining with the National Association. The WI ladies would warmly welcome new and especially younger members. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not all jam making and saucy calendars, the WI have an important public presence,

This is the time of the year that the hills and holes begins to blossom, with its cowslips primroses and pasque flowers, followed hotly by a succession of Britain's orchids. These flowers are very rare and must be protected, valued and respected by all visitors. To assist us to see them in their natural habitat Natural England are currently establishing marked exclusion zones which protect the plants and allows us to enjoy them without disturbing them. Any queries should be addressed to Steve at Natural England on 07770 332186 or steven.bighi@naturalengland.org.uk

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as Tony Blair, you may remember, discovered. The application to develop 80 houses along the Uffington Road and outside the 'village envelope' was considered at a recent meeting of the Peterborough Council Planning Committee. Prior to the Planning Committee discussing the application, Barnack Parish Council were given the opportunity to present the overwhelming view of the village meetings to refuse the application. These views were vigorously given By Martin Bloom, a Parish Councillor and June Woollard, a former Chairman of the Parish Council, who was thanked by the committee for her lucid account and for the many occasions that she had represented Barnack at Planning Committee meetings. The committee recognised the application as fulfilling no real need and to be entirely commercial and predatory. Furthermore, it did not chime with 6 major proposals of the current Peterborough Development Plan on this matter. After considerable discussion, it was the unanimous decision of the Planning Committee to refuse the application. Finally, it is amazing what a little rant can achieve! After my rant last month against litter, it has been decided to clean up our green and pleasant land, valleys, dales and mountains, so that our kingdom, for a few days at least, may grace a Queen and please our eyes. So let us keep up the good work, and er, well it may not have been my little rant that did it! 49

villageviews Barnack & District ROYAL BRITISH LEGION The Branch's annual Winter Supper (approaching our 30th.) was held in Barnack Village Hall at 1930 on Monday 7 March. Over 70 guests attended and, as well as taking the opportunity to socialise, enjoyed a sitdown meal provided by Lucy's Kitchen. The guest speaker, who also proposed the toast to the Royal British Legion, was branch member Air Commodore Peter Taylor CBE, AFC, who gave a

Max Sawyer, Branch Secretary

gripping account of the Battle of Britain, highlighting the individual contributions of many of the pilots involved. Most impressively, Peter's fact-filled talk was delivered without notes - a genuine tour de force on a topic that is clearly close to his heart. During the course of the evening a presentation of an engraved water jug set was made to Patrick Knights to mark members’ appreciation

of his longstanding service as Membership Secretary - a post from which he has recently retired. The crest of The Northamptonshire Regiment (Patrick's old unit) and the RBL logo were engraved on each item as a reminder of his record with both organisations. Mainly as a result of the raffle for the much-admired prizes, a significant sum was raised for Branch funds. A most successful evening.

In Memoriam Archie Dick 1924 - 2016 The Chapel at Marholm Crematorium was full to overflowing as family and friends met to say farewell to much-loved branch member Wing Commander Archie Dick, who died in his 93rd year. The Humanist service was led by Vanessa Corbishley, who gave the eulogy, and there were readings of "High Flight" by family friend John Sessions, "Fear no More" by his grandson Tom Dick and a family tribute by his daughter Frances Parker. RAF Wittering was represented by Wing Commander Georgina Williams, the current holder of the post once held by Archie at the base, and the Air Training Corps by Squadron Leader David Francis.The entrance music was

the intermezzo from Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana", "Eriskay Love Lilt" formed the background to the Time for Reflection and the exit music, chosen by Archie himself, was "Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines". Archie, born in Brazil to Scottish parents and with Portuguese as his first language, had a long and distinguished career in the RAF, including as a Lancaster pilot with Bomber Command, flying Halifaxes in Palestine, piloting Hastings during the Berlin Airlift (under the command of "Wings" Day), as an instructor on the Vampire and Jet Provost, navigating a Canberra to New Zealand and back, Officer Commanding the School of Refresher Flying at RAF Manby,

Deeping Gate PARISH COUNCIL Clean for the Queen Another very successful community effort took place on Saturday 6 March. More than twenty people, in festive mood (not all from Deeping Gate!), helped clear litter and wash road and warning signs, bollards, fire hydrant posts, notice and information boards, seats, post box and bus shelter. Special thanks to Andy for providing the skip. 50

Footpath works Many thanks to Peterborough City Council for the extensive footpath improvement works on the closed off section of Lincoln Road, Deeping Gate. We are hopeful that we may soon see the long awaited improvements to the Deeping St.James Road footpath, these having been requested over a number of years.

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Archie in 1943, just after receiving his wings and Archie on his 90th birthday. training National Servicemen, Staff Officer at Command HQ in Cyprus, attending the Royal Navy Staff College at Greenwich and, his final appointment, OC Admin Wing at RAF Wittering. On his retirement from the RAF, Archie became Wing Administrative Officer with the Air Training Corps. Retiring from that post at the age of 65, he very contentedly devoted his time to his family and playing golf. Deeping Horse and Pony Show This will make its debut off Peakirk Road, Deeping Gate, on Sunday 17 July. Attractions will include jumping, showing and dressage classes, plus a gymkhana. There will be a display of vintage cars and tractors, a dog show, local trade stands, bar and catering facilities, plus ample parking. More detailed information from the Committee will appear on posters, in local papers and magazines.

Barnack’s own defibrillator Barnack Parish now has a defibrillator, a life-saving machine for use in case of a suspected heart attack. It is located on the side wall of the Village Hall, as you go through to the car park and the box in which it is stored is alarmed. The machine will talk the user through the process of what to do but to give you an idea of how easy it is to use you can view a user manual on the Parish Council website and notice boards. IMPORTANT: In the event of an emergency, dial 999 and ask for an ambulance before you do anything else. The operator will confirm the location of the nearest defibrillator and give you the number code to unlock the door of the defibrillator cabinet and access the equipment. Why Have a Defibrillator? Following a cardiac arrest, the chance of survival decreases by 23% per minute. It is therefore

very important medical treatment starts as soon as possible. The UK Resuscitation Council suggests an Automatic Emergency Defibrillator (AED) should be available wherever medical treatment is more than 5 minutes away. In practical terms this means the whole of the UK. An AED is a portable defibrillator which uses intelligent technology to shock a ‘shockable’ heart rhythm. When applied to a patient, a sequence of voice commands and screen messages guide the user through the defibrillation process. This means the machine may be used safely by people with no medical background. The simplicity of modern AED technology has opened a window for the public to take on a key role supporting the emergency services who may be hindered by the time it takes to reach a patient.

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PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!

Survival: 5% with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) alone; 50% with defibrillation. The rate of survival of a sudden cardiac arrest is dependent upon time. The quicker the intervention, the better the outcome. Brain death starts after 3 minutes so urgent action is needed, particularly in rural areas where it can take several minutes to get a competently trained person to the scene. Sudden cardiac arrest or SCA is an electrical malfunction of the heart (most commonly Ventricular Fibrillation) in which the heart stops pumping blood to the body and brain due to an abnormal heart rhythm known as an arrhythmia. As the victim consecutively loses pulse, consciousness and ability to breathe, the victim is termed 'clinically dead' and can only be physically brought back to life in a very small window of time using a defibrillator.

Barnack’s defibrillator has been kindly donated by the East Midlands Ambulance Trust. The Trust will also deliver training to up to 16 people. Please support the use of this important equipment by joining our training session. Contact Susie Caney, Clerk to Barnack Parish Council 07595 377236 or barnackparishcouncil@outlook.com

Ufford PARISH COUNCIL At the council’s meetings on 8 March and 12 April: • Planning applications were considered for: o A solar panel array at Ufford Farm, following further information from the applicant. This has now been permitted and work commenced. o Extension work at The White Hart. o Erection of a new dwelling at North Lodge, Main Street. o Erection of a skateramp at Compass Barn, Main Street; a retrospective application following

complaints and a request for the ramp’s removal. • The award of funding for new playground equipment from Augean Community Fund was confirmed and a working party set up to complete the project. Installation work will commence by Autumn 2016. • A letter was sent to the station commander at RAF Wittering, expressing concerns over safety and a complaint about nuisance caused by frequent and low-altitude training flights directly over the village.

• Four nominations were made for election of councillors. Graham Bowes, David Chadwick, Frieda Gosling and Keith Lievesley were returned uncontested. All Ufford residents are invited to the annual parish meeting to be held at 7.00pm on 10 May, with drinks served from 6.30pm. Richard Astle of the Langdyke Trust has been invited to give a talk and there will be plenty of opportunity to discuss village issues.

Full minutes and councillor contact details at www.uffordparishcouncil.org.uk or contact the Parish Clerk: uffordparishclerk@live.co.uk. Next meeting: Ufford Village Hall, Tuesday 10 May at 7.30pm, (following the annual parish meeting). Residents are encouraged to attend.

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villageviews Cottage

NEWS

by David Dykes

Since the last Tribune we have had a number of very successful activities at the John Clare Cottage.

e started April with a great Jazz evening with Sara Hawkes and Ivan Garford, this was their second performance at the Cottage and we are planning a third later in the year, keep an eye on our website. Heather Mizen held a silk painting workshop and is planning to return in the future. The first art workshop with Sally Hammerton proved to be very popular and we had people on the waiting list. There are one or two places left on the future workshops, so if you want

Etton

NEWS

A number of other events are being planned, such as a blues evening with Lighter Shade of Blue and will be announced on the website and in the future issues of the Tribune. Our new artist in the Cottage is Deborah James, a local artist from Warmington. Her exhibition is open during the normal opening time of the Cottage. Her pictures and cards are for sale in the Café. In the shop we now have a new stock of Cambridgeshire honey for sale.

by Anne Curwen

On 11 February 2016 Erin Rose Samways was born, a lovely baby sister for Grace. Congratulations to Julia and Michael and a warm welcome to baby Erin. Have you noticed the beautiful commemorative stone that has been placed on the village green to mark the planting of the tree for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee? A huge thank you to Stamford Stone, who kindly donated the stone plinth, and to Graham Smitheringale who organized the engraving and installation. A fine job. Ideas are beginning to come forward for the future use of 52

a chance to paint in the Cottage please contact us. We are pleased to announce a new Poetry Workshop on 10 May, this will be with local poet Pete Cox and include a cream tea. Please see the website for further information and contact the Cottage to reserve a place. Tickets are now on sale for the Pantaloons, the outdoor theatre group who will be making two visits to the Cottage this year. 29 June – Gulliver’s Travels and 3 August – Canterbury Tales. Full details are on the website.

Etton Ufford Southorpe Marholm Pilsgate Ashton Bainton Barnack Helpston

the Etton phone box. So far the suggestions are: to house a defibrillator; to display village photos; as a library; a recycling point for batteries/shoes; a toy exchange. Do keep those ideas coming and a decision will be taken in the summer. Plans for a village get together to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday are progressing. The selected date is Saturday 4 June in the afternoon, starting with a short commemorative service at the Church to remember those who lost their lives in the two World Wars. This will be followed by afternoon tea/picnic on the village green. We also plan to formally unveil the village sign complete with the new memorial (not yet installed). Further details will follow after the next planning meeting on 26 April. Another date for your diary is Saturday 2 July when Graham Smitheringale is organizing a

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fundraising Barn Dance with A Waggon Load of Monkeys performing and a hog roast. Tickets will be available from Graham. The Langdyke Trust is planning a second open day at the Etton Maxey reserve on Sunday 17 July. There will be guided walks, pond dipping and bird watching. There may also be a chance to visit the Etton High meadow orchards, pond and new allotments. A lot has been done already but working parties are planned on the following dates 9 May, 13 June, 18 July, 15 August, 19 September and 17 October from 10am to 12.30pm. Please do come along and join in. Finally, Tarmac has confirmed that they plan to install a safe crossing point on the south drain permissible path. The bridge to do this is currently being used elsewhere on the site but should be in place by the end of May.

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Bainton & Ashton PARISH COUNCIL At meetings on 1 March and 5 April, two frustrating issues were again discussed, as they have been over several months. • Village maintenance: Councillors continue to be disappointed with the lack of response from Peterborough City Council on several outstanding issues, and some further ones were noted and will be reported. Work continues to persuade PCC and relevant landowners to co-operate, particularly over dangerous overgrowth along the north side of Barnack Road.

• Lolham Bridges Railway Crossings: It was noted that current temporary restriction order to northbound traffic continues to be ignored by increasing numbers of drivers. A review of the order is expected in June or July and a joint meeting of the relevant authorities has been expected but communication with local communities is poor and the issue doesn’t appear to be receiving any level of priority. Lobbying of the relevant authorities continues. • Finance: Accounts for the last month of 2015/16 were approved

and a summary of the end-of-year position was received. • Planning: One recent application in Ashton has now been permitted and another in Bainton has been withdrawn. • Wildlife: Councillors were interested to hear that the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust had designated the fields around Ashton as a County Wildlife Site, the hedgerows and pollarded willows being an uncommon habitat supporting a number of rare species.

Full minutes and councillor contact details on village notice boards. Comments can be sent to the Parish Clerk. For more information on these events and all Bainton & Ashton Parish Council activity please contact the Clerk, Catherine Franks on 01780 765984 or bainton.ashton.clerk@live.co.uk.

The Parish Council’s annual meeting will be held in Bainton Reading Room on Tuesday 17 May at 7.30pm. Please note the later date than normal, due to local elections. Residents are encouraged to attend.

HELPSTON

Helpston WI members' night celebrated the forthcoming event of Her Majesty the Queen's ninetieth birthday in style. The theme was 1926 and many members came as jazz age flappers complete with beads , feathers and cloche hats. We had a delicious meal prepared by a few of the members. The menu also reflected the style of the twenties. A lighthearted quiz followed about major events of the time. It was a very enjoyable evening.

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PLANNING APPLICATIONS MADE FOR OUR VILLAGES

Southorpe

Ufford

Barnack

For 4 x Walnut: remove deadwood, crown lift to 5m, Ivy removal, crown clean (including the removal of tears, scars or pegs), Walnut closest to adjacent house - reduce lowest limb back to the next growth point and Walnut closest to wire fence - tidy snapped/torn limb back to main stem at Barnack Cricket Club Walcot Road Ufford Stamford Decision: Permitted For outline planning permission for up to 80 residential dwellings (including up to 30% affordable housing), introduction of structural planting and landscaping, informal open space and children's play area, surface water flood mitigation and attenuation, vehicular access from Uffington Road and associated ancillary works. All matters to be reserved with the exception of the main site access at Land To The West Of Uffington Road Barnack Stamford Decision: Refused For two storey side and single storey rear extensions and front porch at 19 Bainton Road Barnack Stamford PE9 3DX Decision: Permitted For first floor side extension at The Ridings Station Road Barnack Stamford Awaiting Decision For demolish existing rear extensions and new two and single storey rear extension at Sandall House Stamford Road Barnack Stamford Awaiting Decision 54

For two storey front extension, single storey rear extension, conversion of garage and loft to create habitable space - including raising roof height and additional dormers - Re-submission at Newe House Main Street Ufford Decision: Permitted For installation of ground mounted solar PV array - resubmission at Ufford Farm Main Street Ufford Stamford Decision: Permitted For replacement balustrade at Ufford Hall Main Street Ufford Stamford Decision: Permitted For removal of 2 Leylandii trees at Walnut Cottage Walcot Road Ufford Stamford Awaiting Decision For two storey and single storey side extensions to form two letting bedrooms, entrance foyer and veranda at The White Hart Main Street Ufford Stamford Awaiting Decision

Bainton & Ashton

For construct 1.55m high stone wall and timber gates to front of the property at The Tithe Barn High Field Road Ashton Stamford Decision: Permitted For T1 Cherry - Crown lift to 3m removing limb at 1m west at Maple House Tallington Road Bainton Stamford Decision: Permitted

Castor

For installation of 1 x DSLAM equipment cabin - dimensions are Height 1300mm x Length 800mm x Depth 450mm at Land To The North Of 45 And 47 Peterborough Road Castor Peterborough Decision: Comments

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For proposed detached carport and plant room at Stud Farm Barn Main Street Southorpe Stamford Decision: Permitted For demolition of existing two storey house and replacement with a two storey house at Brooke House Main Street Southorpe Stamford Decision: Permitted

Helpston

For alterations and extension to dwelling at 29 Maxey Road Helpston Peterborough PE6 7DP Decision: Permitted For Yew - Crown lift over footpath and driveway and removal of epicormic growth at 2 Woodgate Helpston Peterborough PE6 7ED Decision: Permitted For construction of single storey rear extension and detached double garage, demolition of existing garage at The Chestnuts 121 West Street Helpston Peterborough Decision: Permitted For fell 3 x Conifers at front of property at Owl Barn 7 Church Lane Helpston Peterborough Awaiting Decision For T1 Lime - Crown raise, T2 Horse chestnut - Crown raise & remove of 2 large lateral limbs, T3 Lime/T4 Lime - Crown raise to 5m above road, T5 Cedar - Fell, T6 Ash - Fell (central tree of three), T7 Walnut - Remove lowest limb, G1 Rowan, Birch, Elder & Apple - Fell, G2 4x Beech within hedge - Fell at 2 Heath Road Helpston Peterborough PE6 7EG Awaiting Decision For construction of dwelling at 1 Arborfield Close Helpston Peterborough PE6 7DL Awaiting Decision

IN MEMORY

Naval send off for Joe Conder

A guard of honour formed by members of the Burma Star organisation lined the church path at the funeral of Helpston man, Joe Conder. A nautical theme finalised the service as Joe was carried out to the tune of ‘What Shall we do with the Drunken Sailor?’

his, in memory of a person who loved the sea and ships, had served in the Royal Navy during the war, and enjoyed boating at leisure in his retirement. A member of Helpston Village Hall Committee, treasurer of St Botolph’s as a PCC member and Churchwarden, serving more than once, Joe was well-known and respected in the Village. Conders’ garage in Lincoln Road and in Oundle Road were established by Joe, helped by Betty, his wife. Educated at Laxton School, he realised that WW2 was imminent and on leaving school took a temporary job at Woodcock’s Bakery, Peterborough, where he met Betty, who worked in the finishing room. (Later, Betty would use her expertise to provide beautiful cakes for all kinds of village functions). Soon, Joe would go to Felixstowe for his naval training aboard HMS Ganges. He served all over the world in the Service, aboard ‘Revenge’ and ‘Repulse’, with trips to S. Africa, and West Africa; also escorting merchant ships on the Arctic convoy up to Russia. D Day saw Joe aboard

HMS Ajax, where the first shots were fired and helped to land troops. During a refit of a ship’s boiler at Plymouth, Betty took the opportunity to travel down and the couple were married. When the war came to an end he went to work as a mechanic at Marshall’s Garage after a further short spell of training on ‘Ganges’ , and this led to setting up his own business, first in Fengate, then in Lincoln Road and Oundle Road. The Lincoln Road premises were purchased in the 1950’s and towards the end of that decade, a further property was bought in Oundle Road, where the couple lived ‘above the shop’ with their two children. John and Gillian. Joe was an agent for Riley cars, then sold the Moskovich, Lada and Yugo. Together with his son, John who helped his father from leaving school, the franchise for black London taxi cabs was secured and this became a fruitful enterprise. Joe and Betty came to The Nook, Helpston nearly 50 years ago and far from taking life quietly, they became involved in village life, a life about which their daughter-in-law, Kate, said:

“They loved their village life, they loved the people and they loved their home.” During the happy retirement years, the couple enjoyed trips on their cabin cruiser, going out to sea as well as using the local rivers. On one occasion, they took a party of children from St Botolph’s Sunday School down the River Nene for the day. Joe maintained his connections with HMS Ganges throughout his life, being a member of the HMS Ganges Association. He was a member of the Burma Star Association and Commodore of Peterborough Yacht Club. He belonged to Masonic Lodges in London and Peterborough and enjoyed fishing with the Stowe Fly Fishing Club. Betty died in 2003 and Joe was laid to rest beside her in Helpston Cemetery. In addition to John, of Helpston and Gillian of Whittlesey, Joe leaves some good friends behind, including Ellie Ashworth who had been a close companion in his later years.

Maurice Petrie

the U.S., Egypt and Italy with the army in WW2, taking part in the Battle of Monte Casino. He collected for the British Legion and kept up with his old army friends to the end. On being demobbed, he went to work as a clerk for John Brown’s shipyard on the River Clyde. Maurice came South in to take up a position with the Coal Board at Bedford, and later on was promoted to District Manager at Peterborough.

Sadly, his first wife, Jean, died about 11 years ago, but he was fortunate in his re-marriage to Eileen, a long-time friend who he had known from his Coal Board years. The couple were able to enjoy several years together. Besides Eileen, he leaves a son and a daughter.

Well-known Helpston resident, Maurice Petrie has died aged 98. In the eighties, Maurice was clerk to Helpston Parish Council and was on the Village Hall Management Committee. He had lived in Woodland Lee for nearly 50 years, had been exceptionally fit and agile until Autumn. Born in Glasgow, he was on active service with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders in

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Rosemaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Farming Diary

he incessant wind and rain continues as I write these notes towards the middle of April...Spring does seem to be slow in coming. The few odd days when there's been some respite, sowing has been a slow process, dodging between showers. Ground conditions have been some of the wettest I can remember - even on the lighter soils and we still have some barley to sow, but time is running out so we may have to consider having bare fallow on this particular field which is still too wet. The sugar beet was sown by the end of March and went into reasonable seed beds. All cereal and rape crops have had another application of nitrogen. Fungicide has also been applied where necessary.

The whole countryside is changing colour, with the different crops being grown, the oil seed rape showing off it's bright yellow flower, hedgerows bursting into leaf are adorned by the white flower of the blackthorn making it so pleasing to the eye as we drive along the country roads. The cattle came through the winter well and are all in good condition, as soon as the weather settles we shall start turning them out into the grass fields, which will cut down on some of the work. Commodity prices are about the same as earlier in the year, so there is very little change to report. Movement of grain off the farm is very slow with the flour mills only living hand to mouth with intake - last week instead of having four loads being

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picked up, we only had two go. We like to have all the grain stores empty by May to allow a thorough cleaning and any repairs completed before harvest starts in July. "Dog attack left my sheep field like a war zone" was the heading of a writer in a recent farming journal. 'Livestock worrying' is getting a far to common occurrence in this country. In fact, every time I pick up a farming book I read of the horrific scenes of not only sheep but other animals being savaged by dogs loose in the countryside, mostly being let off their leads by the owner. In one particular incident the lady owner had been walking the dog on a footpath, but it had run into the nearby field. The owner went home to

get her wellies, lead and car and whilst she did this the dog was left in the field. As a result, some sheep were injured and some were so badly mauled they had to be put down, leading to distressed animals and large vet’s fees. An award of £2000 was made against the lady. Setting aside the circumstances of this earlier case, there's a bigger question here - whether it's the dog or it’s owners fault? The writer goes on to say that he is concerned it has something to do with the number of fighting or guard dog types

living in domestic environments. In this area sheep are not all that a prominent animal being kept in grass fields, but the same thing can happen with other species i.e. cattle as well as the wildlife which we all endeavour to encourage to breed and survive, birds are nesting at this time of year and should not be disturbed. We as farmers and custodians of the countryside are rigorously guided not only by E.U rules and regulations but by generations of ‘looking after’ the land we farm and the wildlife that makes its home there. I would hasten to add that the farming community generally welcome people to the countryside, but common sense and the knowledge of the dos and don’ts do need abiding by. All animals can be unpredictable, never let your guard down and please keep dogs on leads at all times. On a lighter note, the Tractor Road Run will take place on Sunday 15 May, leaving Willow Brook Farm at 11am and returning back at approximately 3.15pm. The Granary will be putting on breakfast baps and

also an afternoon BBQ when the tractors return. Last year between 80 to 100 tractors turned out, they were met with a very welcoming response from villagers who turned out to see them pass by. Their generosity was extraordinary for which the money goes to the Air Ambulance with a small amount going to the Young Farmers club funds. Most days we hear of the air ambulance being called out to an accident, with its very existence solely due thanks to the public’s generosity. The emergency facility it provides is second to none, saving many lives by the quick response it gives. If you don’t want to miss the tractors, you can find their route timetable on either the Newborough Young Farmers Club or Willow Brook websites. The warmer weather surely is almost here, the small birds are busy in the garden, the pheasants and french partridges have arrived and are to be seen early in the morning and evenings near our house. However, i’m still waiting for the hares and I haven’t heard the arrival of the cuckoo yet.

John Beeken

BRICKLAYER & GENERAL BUILDER

NEW BUILDS EXTENSIONS REPAIRS MAINTENANCE

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Deaths Rev Brian & Irene Blade Helpston and Etton residents have been sad to learn of the deaths of the Rev. Brian A. Blade (91), former Rector of Etton with Helpston in the early eighties and of his wife, Irene (89). Within 12 hours of Rev Brian’s’ death, Irene died also. The couple had been married for over 60 years. Rev Brian and Irene came to Helpston in 1980 from the parish of Buttershaw, near Bradford, Yorkshire, where they experienced difficult times in a very deprived area. When they arrived to take up the post at Helpston, they found a congregation of about six adults and a few children. Moving into the Rectory at the Golden Drop, there was no telephone installed and that was one of the first things that had to be sorted out. The church was gradually built up, mainly through the couple’s down-to-earth, non-judgemental attitudes to the Christian faith and life in general, and many adults were brought to confirmation. One of Rev Blade’s sayings was for his congregation “to love people into Christ’s Kingdom”. He was the first vicar to introduce guitars into the church, even on a limited scale. Although very much a Eucharistic priest, seeing the Holy Communion as vital to everyone’s wellbeing, he began

a non-eucharistic Family Service and revived a Sunday School. He introduced some High Church practices into the church including an altar of repose on Maundy Thursday, a ‘First Fire’ on Easter Saturday and faithfully holding all the services each Holy Week. There were regular Lent and Advent courses and retreats to Ecton House, the Diocesan Retreat Centre at that time. Brian was padre to Toc H and chaplain at the Maternity Hospital. Faced with a huge building restoration project for St Botolph’s, he set about raising the thousands needed. It was opportune that at the time he drove a yellow Datsun, reg ‘BEG’! Helpston Festival Five was set up as a fundraising committee with Stephen Jackson as chairman and various events such as bingo evenings, a barn dance and a Flower Festival were organised. Helpston Fete was a success and this evolved to become today’s well-loved Helpston Gala ( to be held11th June this year). Rev Blade was instrumental in founding the John Clare Society. Having attended a series of lectures on Clare through the WEA, he met up with Edward Storey and George Dickson and the three decided to start the Society which now has members all over the world.

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Irene began the Lunch Club for Senior Citizens at the Village Hall. She was a keen member of the WI. They were warm and generous personalities both with a keen wit. Leaving the village in 1986 for the parish of Hardingstone, Northants, on their retirement the couple moved to Faversham, Kent, where they lived happily with their pets and close to family for many years. Cats and dogs were part of their lives and when a dog needed an operation, there were no qualms about praying for her! The funeral service took place at Tunstall, Kent, where they were buried together in the churchyard. It was led by the Blades’ daughterin-law, Rev Susan Blade and was attended by many friends including former parishioners. (Susan had been encouraged to offer for the ministry by her father-in-law.) Stephen Jackson worked closely with Rev Brian from the beginning, as a fund raiser, PCC member and Gala organiser. He said of the couple: “After along working life in business and the church, I can imagine Brian and Irene relaxing together, Brian with a glass of single malt and Irene, his ‘cockney sparrow’), with a gin and tonic. Cheers to them both.” They are remembered with affection.

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Baptisms

A special time

The great Easter acclamation of “Alleluia! Christ is Risen!” must surely have woken some residents of Barnack as around 30 people gathered at the Hills & Holes for a 6.30 dawn service for Easter Day. Anyone who attended found the experience very moving as a beautiful pink sunrise became apparent in the Eastern sky, bringing the light, just as the dawn might have happened when the women discovered Jesus’ empty tomb in the garden. That same shout reverberated throughout Christian churches all over the world on Easter Sunday as worshippers met to celebrate the rising from the dead of Jesus Christ. There were prayers of thanksgiving, joyful songs, wonderful flowers and Easter eggs in our churches. Holy week services in the Benefice were exceptionally well attended this year. Throughout the week, quiet services of meditation were at Bainton, the successful Lent Course on The King’s Speech and the lessons we can learn from it ended on the Wednesday. On Thursday there was a communion service at Botolph’s Barn; a very poignant happening as it reminds us so much of the Upper Room where Jesus held the Last Supper with his disciples before his arrest in the garden of Gethsamane. This was followed by a vigil when people were able to sit quietly and in a way, spend time ‘watching’ with Our Lord in the garden as

they faced a table laid out with the Cross and Spring flowers. On Good Friday a quiet service was held at Bainton and in the afternoon a group of parishioners met at Helpston Church to walk over the fields to Ashton. Along the way, the walkers stopped when attention was drawn to various aspects of Jesus’ journey to the Cross The children were encouraged to seek out hidden items connected to the Good Friday story: the sponge, the crown of thorns, the nails etc. and to sing a verse from an Easter hymn: ’Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?’ This was a practical way of carrying out the study of the Stations of the Cross (pictures depicting Jesus’ route to the cross which are to be found in many churches). On arrival at Ashton, the walkers were treated to tea and hot cross buns by the Jones family. Easter is a special time for Christians, maybe even more special than Christmas. Some of those who came to an Easter service or course may be unaware that the Easter season continues in the Church of England until 15th May, Pentecost or Whit Sunday, when the disciples witnessed the coming of the Holy Spirit. This, sometimes known as ‘the Church’s Birthday’, will be a particularly special occasion for Barnack as worshippers at St Johns welcome those who have previously been attending the Community Church at the school.

Funerals Dawn Gorman (04/01/2016) Harold Close (03/02/2016) Mary Burnett (10/03/2016)

Yvonne Goodwin (27/01/2016) Steve Taylor (19/02/2016) Joe Condor (31/03/2016)

Joshua David Corner, Finlay Owen Maddox and Martha Elizabeth Evan (Northborough)

Helpston church was packed with families for the celebration of little Joshua Charlie Frisby’s baptism. Joshua is pictured (above) with his mum and dad, Graham and Kathryn and big sister Grace. The Paschal candle, symbolising new life in Christ was lit, following its renewal on Easter Day. The family were welcomed with applause and went off to enjoy a good party.

Confirmation Churches from our Benefice met together in February to witness and celebrate the confirmation of four candidates from St. Botolph’s, Helpston.

Pictured with Bishop Donald are: (l-r): Barry Pullen, Rev Dave Maylor, Sam Permarker, Gillian Permarker and Lexi Jones. A special and beautiful cake was made for the occasion by Sally Hudson. Bishop Donald laid hands on each of the candidates’ heads (as in the early church), to confer the gift of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation gives baptised Christians the opportunity to ‘confirm’ their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.

CHURCH ADDRESSES: St Mary’s, Church Lane, Bainton PE9 3AF | St John the Baptist, Main Street, Barnack PE9 3DN | St Botolph, Church St., Helpston PE6 7DT | All Saints Church, Church Road, Wittering. PE8 6AF

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tribunechurch CHURCH SERVICES

May

Sun 1 May

Sun 8 May

Sun 15 May Pentecost

Sun 22 May

Sun 29 May

St John the Baptist Barnack

9.00am Parish Communion with Children’s Church

11.00am All Age Praise

10.00am Benefice Communion Service atSt John the Baptist Church Barnack

St Mary’s Bainton

6.00pm BCP Evensong

9.00am Parish Communion

6.00pm BCP Evensong

9.00am Parish Communion

10.00am Benefice Communion Service atSt John the Baptist Church Barnack

St Botolph’s Helpston

10.45am All Age Praise

10.45am Parish Communion with Children’s Church

10.45am All Age Communion

10.45am Parish Communion with Children’s Church6.00pm Informal Worship Service

10.00am Benefice Communion Service atSt John the Baptist Church Barnack

All Saints Wittering

11.00am First Sunday Fun

NO SERVICE

4.30pm Afternoon Tea Service

9.00am Parish Communion

10.00am Benefice Communion Service atSt John the Baptist Church Barnack

June

Sun 5 June

Sun 12 June

Sun 19 June

Sun 26 June

St John the Baptist Barnack

9.00am Parish Communion with Children’s Church

10.30am Queen’s Birthday Service in Square

9.00am Parish Communion with Children’s Church

11.00am Patronal All Age Communion 6.00pm Informal worship Service

St Mary’s Bainton

6.00pm BCP Evensong

9.00am Parish Communion

6.00pm BCP Evensong

9.00am Parish Communion

St Botolph’s Helpston

10.45am All Age Praise

10.45am Parish Communion with Children’s Church

10.45am All Age Communion

10.45am Parish Communion with Children’s Church

All Saints Wittering

11.00am First Sunday Fun

NO SERVICE

4.30pm Afternoon Tea Service

9.00am Parish Communion

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We will never forget

In Memoriam Private Joseph Cox, 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders was killed by a German sniper on May 23rd, 1916. He was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cox of Walcot. He had just returned to the trenches after six days’ leave in Barnack. The following letter was sent to Joseph’s father by one of Joseph’s pals at the front and later published in the Stamford Mercury; It is with great regret that I write to you and let you know that your son Joe was killed yesterday, May 23rd, while

In Memoriam St Botolph's Church

Private Joseph Cox on sentry duty with me in a sap. He was shot by a sniper, death being instantaneous, so he didn’t suffer at all. I stood by him all the time. It is quite a great shock to me as Joe and me were the best of pals right from the time we enlisted just a year next month. He has been taken carefully away and buried in the British cemetery in a village (Vermelles) out here. No doubt you have heard from the War Ofﬁce by now, but I felt it my duty as a comrade to let you know he died. He was well liked by all the fellows in the platoon Readers will remember in the entry in this section for January and February 1916, Charles and Susannah Bloodworth and 6 siblings, of "West End Helpston Peterborough Northants" lost one of their sons - Stephen - off Dover on January 29th 1916. Just 4 months later, on May 31st 1916, they lost another son, Reginald George, born 26th August 1898, at the Battle of Jutland. He was an Ordinary Seaman serving on HMS Indefatigable Extract from the Official History; " Naval Operations" by Sir Julian S. Corbett. 1923 "At the other end of the line the duel between the Indefatigable and the Von der Tann had been growing in intensity till, a few minutes after 4.0 pm, the British ship was

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so please accept my deepest sympathy. Yours faithfully, Private Joseph Haye Joseph Cox was 23 years old and had two younger brothers in the army, Arthur and Harold, who were also to be killed in the fighting in France. In civil life he worked in the fruit department of the Royal Gardens at Windsor having received his training from his father, Thomas, who was head gardener at Walcot Hall. Thomas Cox had lost his wife, Kate, in August 1915. She is buried in Barnack cemetery. suddenly hidden in a burst of flame and smoke. A salvo of three shots had fallen on her upper deck and must have penetrated to a magazine. She staggered out of the line, sinking by the stern when another salvo struck her; a second terrible explosion rent her, she turned over and in a moment all trace of her was gone". 1017 crew perished with only 2 survivors. Reginald is remembered on panel 12 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial and on the plaque in Helpston Church. Readers may like to find out more about the significance of this vital sea battle by looking at a full account of the Battle of Jutland narrated by Admiral Jellicoe’s grandson as part of the Jutland Centenary Commemorations on the internet. 61

writeaway Gigaclear comparison Dear Editor,

New Tribune Distributor

Hello I’m Sarah Walker, your new distributor of The Village Tribune. I moved to Helpston about 8 years ago with my husband Stephen, dog Molly, cats Louie and Mia, and finally rabbits Josephine and Murdoch! 8 years down the line there are fewer animals and more humans with the arrivals of Oliver 7 and Phoebe 6 (the humans!). We love living in Helpston and take full advantage of the busy social life that it has to offer, having made some great friends here. Life has changed somewhat New Clerk, Barnack for me since we moved to the I have been planning my retirement for village as I have gone from a full some time and have now handed over to time Dispensing Optician with Barnack's new Clerk, Susie Caney. over 18 years in the industry to May I take this opportunity to thank starting my own Dog Walking you for your support during my time at and Pet Sitting business, the Parish Council and wish Susie every Doggone Walkies. You may have success in her new career.

This is an example of the wonderful job Gigaclear have done to my drive and then an example of a private paid job they did while they were working! Comparison of quality? Who do I complain to? Needless to say I was at work during the work! Jackie Robinson

Susie Caney (Clerk) T: 07595 377236 barnackparishcouncil@outlook.com www.barnackparishcouncil.org

seen me driving round in my little blue dog bus! I try and immerse myself into village life. I have previously been a member of the Helpston Playhouse Committee, I am currently a committee member of the Friends of John Clare School, I will now be distributing the Tribune and I am sponsoring the Dog Show at the Helpston Gala. Hobbies?! Apart from walking between 30 and 40 miles a week I try to run a few times a week when I can fit it in as I caught the bug for it when I did my first (and last) half marathon last year at Silverstone, this year I will be doing the London Rat Race on 13 August raising money for both Helpston Playhouse and the Friends of John Clare School.

All views and comments made in this section are those of the individual contributors and are not necessarily shared by the Editor or any other persons associated with the production of the Tribune

Free support to your Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

t is said that everybody needs good neighbours, so it is little wonder that 30 years since the UK’s first Neighbourhood Watch scheme was established, the crime prevention initiative is still going strong. If you and your friends/neighbours have, or are planning to set up your own NHW, help is at hand. Safe Local Trades, covering the PE Postcode area, has worked with many local Neighbourhood Watch groups over the years, providing numerous lamp-post signs and giving free talks on the dangers of doorstep callers. It has been proven that areas which operate a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme are less likely to be targeted by crime, rogue traders and distraction burglars.

Eileen Le Voi, owner of Safe Local Trades, and committee member of the Peterborough Neighbourhood Watch scheme said: “It has been a pleasure to work with a number of newly-established and existing Neighbourhood Watch schemes across many parts of Peterborough, including Yaxley, Stanground and Werrington. “We are very keen to hear from other groups in the Helpston, Glinton, Newborough areas, and those from other villages in the North of the city, who may want to start up, or already have a scheme in place but would like some support in getting signs up around their community to publicise their great work in caring about each other and

the safety and security of their homes and surroundings. “We all know that the aim of a NHW is to help people protect themselves and their properties, to reduce the fear of crime and improve their local environment – and they are hugely effective.” With over 4 million members, Neighbourhood Watch is the largest voluntary organisation in the country. Established in 1982, it is free to join and open to everyone.

To inquire about obtaining free Neighbourhood Watch lamp-post signs, E: eileen@safelocaltrades.com www.safelocaltrades.com/consumers/advice/your-neighbourhood-neighbourhoodwatch 62

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vil agetribune DIRECTORY

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Mike Sandeman Richard Hardy John Wreford Graham Fletcher Richard Harris Nicola Clough Wendy Jackson Helen Watts Catherine Franks Graham Dunn Julie Stanton Phil Collins Neil Fowkes John Ward David Laycock Roy Chowings Ted Murray Elaine Ward Debbie Martin Jill Unsworth Harry Brassey Margaret Palmer Eddie Barker Phil Broughton Ivor Crowson David Laycock Martin Bloom Robin Morrison David Over Adrienne Collins Kerrie Garner Rachel Wright Kate Hinchliff Max Sawyer Tony Henthorn Cecilia Hammond

AMVC Head Bainton Church Churchwarden Bainton Church Churchwarden Bainton Parish Council Chair Bainton Parish Council Vice Chair Bainton Parish Council Bainton Parish Council Bainton Parish Council Bainton Parish Council Clerk Barnack Baptist Church Barnack Baptist Church Barnack Bowls Club Barnack C of E Primary School Barnack Church Churchwarden Barnack Church Churchwarden Barnack Community Association Barnack Community Choir Barnack Darby & Joan Club Barnack Horticultural Show Barnack Methodist News Chairman Barnack Parish Council Vice Chair Barnack Parish Council Barnack Parish Council Barnack Parish Council Barnack Parish Council Barnack Parish Council Barnack Parish Council Clerk - Barnack Parish Council Barnack Ward Councillor Barnack Village Hall Bookings Barnack Youth Club Benefice Administrator Botolph’s Barn - Helpston British Legion Citizens Advice Deepings Practice (main line) (Appointments only) Delaine Bus Services Editor Tribune Friends of Chernobyl’s Children

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Glinton Surgery Morag Sweeney Helpston Brownies Carol Jones Helpston Church Treasurer David Packer Helpston Lawn Tennis Club Sarah Owen Helpston Cub Scouts Joe Dobson Helpston Parish Council (Chair) Sydney Smith Helpston Parish Council (Clerk) Rosemary Morton Helpston Parish Council (Vice) Kirsty Prouse Helpston Playhouse pre-school Roz Sowinski Helpston Playhouse Before and After School Club Margaret Brown Helpston Rainbows Nick Drewett Helpston Scouts Caryn Thompson Helpston Village Hall Bookings Pat Jackson Helpston WI (President) June Dobson Helpston WI (Secretary) Rachel Simmons John Clare Primary Head Richard Astle Langdyke Countryside Trust Mary Gowers Lay Pastoral Minister, St. Mary’s Church, Bainton Karen Dunn Little Lambs Craig Kendall P’cum G’ Primary Head Maureen Meade Peterborough Adult Learning John Holdich OBE Peterborough City Council Peterborough City Council Peterborough City Hospital Lorraine Moore (PCSO) Police - emergency calls Less urgent crimes Power Failure Dave Maylor Priest in Charge Al Good Rotary Club Samaritans Train Services Susan Jarman Ufford Art Society Keith Lievesley Ufford Parish Council Chairman Marian Browne Ufford Parish Council Frieda Gosling Ufford Parish Council Peter Grist Ufford Parish Council Catherine Franks Ufford Parish Council Clerk

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