I'd rather be in Deeping December 2022

WelcomeRecently the South Kesteven Community Awards were held at the Guildhall in Grantham and true to form the Deepings were very well represented in the line up! The School Green Award sponsored by UPP went to DSJ Primary School for their awareness of key environmental issues, including reducing litter, cutting electricity use and increasing recycling. Dog walker and pet sitter Lora Edwards of Happy Tails won the Business and Community Award with her friend Michelle Sparkes for the initiative they had launched in lockdown to raise funds for Three Counties Dog Rescue, a fund which has topped £20,000 to date! Bourne Army Cadet and employee of Grasmere Farm, Deeping St James, William Craft, collected the Neil Smith Beyond the Call of Duty Award for the way in which his quick thinking helped to save a life after a serious road accident. Ben Sanford was runner up in the Inspirational Young Person category for his contribution to Deepings Youth Group and for the way in which his action in response to seeing a fire in a field in the heatwave prevented a damaging fire taking hold! Deeping, we raise a glass to you!

Judy Stevens

Ben Sanford

Michelle Sparkes and Lora Edwards

William Craft

Mary Freeland from Upp Broadband with DSJ Headteacher Richard Westley

from Macmillan Eastern region

presentation

donated by Lloyd’s Bank.

It was an historic occasion when the farm implements from Osier Farm went under the hammer - the last working farm in Eastgate now sold for development.

What brought the Vikings to England? They found a copy of I’d Rather be in Deeping of course! (As Maggie McKay discovered when visiting family in Sweden recently). The place is just outside Västerås at Anundshög (burial mounds and standing stones, some arranged in the shape of the Viking long boats. These are all from 200-300A.D.)

Women from the Deepings NWR (National Womens Register) group met recently to walk in Burghley Park. NWR is a national organisation bringing women together for lively discussion, friendship and fun. New members are welcome. To discover your local group please visit nwr. org.uk

Achieving the top spot in the recent Tesco Community Grant Scheme (blue token competition), the Deepings Lions, with their partners Sense and the Deepings Community Trust have received a further £1500 towards the development of the Deepings

Rotarian Amrit Mistry hands over a cheque for £1400.00 to Paisley Paddison from St Barnabas. Amrit raised the money with sponsorship from his Himalaya Trek, earlier in the year.

Shaws of Maxey celebrated 100 years and four generations of their family business with a special Centenary Reunion break in one of their all-time favourite destinations – Lytham St. Annes – with two coaches of adventure loving customers and staff! Next stop ... 101 years!

“I love the Spinroom because irrespective of age, size, current fitness or gym gear you are given a warm welcome and encouraged to push yourself to the best of your ability while having a laugh and not taking yourself too seriously! Everyone is very down to earth, friendly and supportive and the place has a real family feel. The Spinroom has been a self-care constant in my mid-life helping maintain my physical and mental strength and energy levels while navigating the challenges of daily life including juggling family, career, lockdown, bereavement and menopause. Certainly wouldn’t function as well without Spinroom in my life and would highly recommend to anyone looking to improve their overall health and well-being!”

The Revd. Mark Williams led the Remembrance Parade in Deeping St James.

The Swim England Masters National Championships held at Ponds Forge, Sheffield saw a representation of fourteen swimmers from the Deepings Swimming Club. The team which spanned a range of ages came away with two bronze medals, a new county record and a host of top 10 performances from 50 races. Competing were: Helena Waters, Neil Shepherd, Alice Pinney, Alice Grant, Jacqui Crockett, Bethany Walker, Nicola Lumb, James Abbott, Chris Pratt, Mark Chiva, Paul Smith-Shelton, Tony Baskeyfield, Neil Shepherd, Graeme Abrahams.

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An award winning Worcester Accredited Installer

Ranked No 2 in UK for boiler supplier in 2020

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President of the NFU, Minette Batters officially opened the new Farm Shop & Tearoom at Moor Farm, Newborough. Pictured centre with the Team.

An evening of poetry was held at the Deepings School celebrating local poets and raising funds for books for the school library.

Image: Stuart Render

The garage door artist of DSJ commemorated Remembrance Day.

Cafe Mills has been open since July taking over from Cinnamon. Owner, Mahmoud Mehdizadeh is pictured centre with the team l-r Sabina, Julia, Alex, Mahmoud and Sue.

Recently Val and Katy from the team at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at PCH presented members of Deeping Cares with a hamper full of edible goodies for members to enjoy at their meetings. The team of avid knitters support the NICU in donating knitted items for newborns.(l-r Jean Haines, Val Machin Ward Clerk NICU PCH, Jane Hayball,, Katy Barke Neonatal Unit Manager PCH, Patricia Merrill, Jennifer Davies.)

New owners at Deeping News: now Shankar is at the helm.

Are you wondering about or struggling with your peri menopause? If you would like the opportunity to chat and have a natter with others in the same stage of life as you then come and join us. We currently meet once a month on the last Sunday of every month. We will be trying to help you all realise that you aren’t alone and that we can support one another either in person at our meetings or on our group chat.. get in touch if you would like to know more. Claire 07850 304120

A day out in the Cotswolds

Gliding along in the glorious sunshine as it highlights the russet, gold and amber of the autumn leaves, without a second thought to the price of fuel, the location of the car parks at your destination or the appropriate route. All these things are taken care of by a driver with an impeccable uniform, jovial but not too hearty, who knows exactly where to stop for that morning cuppa and refresh break! So ladies and gentlemen, this starts your day out with Shaws of Maxey. Not only that but you can be safe in the knowledge that your one full coach is keeping 50 cars off the road and – reducing traffic by one mile! A peaceful and most enjoyable way to make your stand for the planet.

Shaws have a century of experience in catering for the travelling public and you instantly know that you are in safe hands – from the carefully planned choice of destinations to the effortless and personal booking procedure, topped off by a seamless travelling experience. Shaws keep it local with all their Great Days Out and Door2Door Holidays including a departure from Deeping. In fact you may well see some familiar faces on the coach but you are equally likely to get chatting to a stranger who, like you, is looking forward to a few hours or days away. Many firm friendships have been made with likeminded individuals choosing this effortless way to explore the country and go further afield as well.

As the price of fuel rises so too does the appeal of coach travel. For a long time a closely guarded secret by older members of the community, we see younger audiences becoming more intrigued by this social and economical way of travelling, and increasingly their tastes are catered for by the carefully curated itineraries of this award-winning coach company.

Moreton-in-Marsh on market day was our latest destination in a series of trips which have seen us exploring the Cotswolds this year. Driving through picturesque villages with their honey-coloured cottages and handsome period houses only serves to whet the appetite for more. Of course Shaws would choose market day to visit Moreton – the best day to people-watch. Seeing a colourful pageant of locals and visitors often with their dogs sampling the stalls, all from the comfort from one of one of the myriad coffee shops and eateries that line the streets is a delightful way to spend a morning. And there is time to investigate the town as well, to come across

the secret garden just off the high street – the perfect place to eat your pack up! Or to walk a little further to the church and to wonder why on the only day it is closed to the public, a stream of elderly residents are making their way to a meeting, the first apparently since lockdown, all with the same official literature clasped tightly under their arms and to wonder what could be driving the purposefulness of their strides?

At the appointed time the driver has returned to the pick-up point to whisk us away through the idyllic countryside and onto Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the Venice of the Cotswolds because of the attractive bridges that cross the River Windrush as it wends its way through the centre of this vibrant little village. There are a number of attractions well placed to visit in the town, not least the captivating model village. Stroll through the village streets and seek out a teashop to while away a warm sun-kissed afternoon in late autumn before boarding the coach again and being transported seamlessly back home.

It’s not surprising to learn that in 2019 there were 23 million coach visits to tourist attractions, contributing £14 billion to the UK economy. So, as you mount the coach steps weary on your way home with the purchases that you have made at Moreton Market carefully stowed in the overhead luggage compartment, you are safe in the knowledge that you are at the forefront of what is fast becoming a global trend! www.shawscoaches.co.uk

Graham Knott

Moreton-in-Marsh

The Kisbys Bringing Christmas to the Deepings

When Joseph Kisby donned his new felt hat and scarlet jacket, his postman’s number emblazoned on the collar, and strode out in his grey trousers to deliver his first mail round in Market Deeping, little did he know that he would found a family dynasty working in the postal service for almost a century.

Joseph was born in 1836 in Langtoft, son of Joseph and Mary (née Lake). Like many others initially on leaving school he became an agricultural labourer. In 1859 he married Betty Wade, daughter of Mr and Mrs Wade (née Walton) of Thurlby at Baston Parish Church. They set up home at 48 Church Street, Market Deeping, where they had eight children adding two to the brood after 1874 when they moved to Deeping Gate.

Starting in 1859 Joseph was part of the growth in employees in the Postal Service following the introduction of the uniform penny post in 1840 – when it became the sender who paid for the delivery instead of the receiver as it had previously been. Valiantly in all weathers, storms, snow and fog, Joe would start his round at Market Deeping at 6.00am en route to West Deeping, thence to Maxey and Helpston, returning home via Etton. He took the reverse journey in the afternoon covering 25 miles in a day.

For the last 28 years of his employment he had a pony and trap, necessitated by the increased volume, especially at Christmas with the growing popularity of cards and parcels. Henry Cole, who founded the tradition, sent his first Christmas card in 1843. Convivial and reliable, Joe was praised by residents who estimated that he had travelled 219,000 miles in his pony and trap. When he retired in 1901 after 42 years there had been no complaints about his work in all his years of service and he had six stripes, the maximum number.

As well as being a postman, Joe was a great authority on horses and was in great demand when a sale or purchase

was about to be made. He was also an expert at breaking and taming horses, often called on in his later years in the two weeks’ holiday he then received from his postal duties.

In June 1879, Joseph’s round attracted the local press who ran a story on a pair of lively little birds known as blue caps or willow biters who had built a nest in a private letterbox attached to a gate. Letters were placed in and taken out each day and the little creatures were never disturbed. The nest contained a dozen eggs.

In 1880 the family were in the press again this time when six-year-old May Kisby received serious injuries to her leg. She and her brother had been on Stamford Road when a wagon load of flour belonging to Mr Thorpe passed. She went behind the wagon and took hold of some of the chains, becoming entangled with the wheel which carried her round and crushed her leg from the knee down tearing the flesh and muscle to the bone. She was taken to Peterborough Dispensary where she received skilful attention but it was feared that the leg would have to be amputated.

The family moved back to Market Deeping and rented 38 Church Street for £12 a week but they later bought the property for £150. It was from here that William (b.1860) their eldest son married Ruth Hainsworth at the Priory Church, Deeping St James, in 1885. Ruth was the youngest daughter of David, a stonemason from the village. On leaving school in 1876 William followed his father as a postman and settled in High Street, Market Deeping, putting up his sister May (b.1875), an assistant dressmaker, while helping to raise his and Ruth’s family of eight.

William’s other sisters had gone into domestic service, Emily (b.1871) at Carlton, Nottinghamshire, where she met her future husband Robert Lamb, marrying him at St Guthlac’s in 1897. Ada was in service at Lincoln. Annie (b.1869) married Alfred Shilling, a wholesale textile

Ruth Kisby

salesman from Bermondsey, at St Guthlac’s Church in 1899. Brother Thomas (b.1867) was a plumber and decorator in Romford, Essex.

Ada (b.1873) was married to Henry Tate at St Guthlac’s in February 1902 by the Rev. Henry Dean. Henry Tate was a steward on a cargo ship carrying bananas from Jamaica to Bristol and the couple lived in the city for eleven years before Henry took up an appointment as a steward on Canadian Pacific Railways and they relocated to Canada. It was a proud moment when during his service he served King George VI and the Queen Mother when they visited Canada as the Duke and Duchess of York.

St Guthlac’s was the chosen venue for the wedding the following year when Florence (b.1878), the youngest daughter of Joe and Betsy, married Police Sergeant Henry Bryan of New Basford, Nottingham. The bride, given away by her father looked resplendent in a dress of grey amazon cloth trimmed with white satin, a matching white hat with chiffon and feathers and carrying a shower bouquet. The bridesmaids were Mary and May, sisters of the bride, who both wore blue amazon cloth dresses trimmed with gallon and accordion pleated chiffon with matching hats. They carried bouquets of roses and lilies of the valley. Mr Bryan was best man. The bridesmaids each received a gold ring and the bridegroom gave the bride a gold watch and chain.

Joe passed away in 1911, leaving a not inconsiderable estate of £250, and Betsy five years later at the age of 82. Although William had sustained serious injuries after falling from his horse on the way to collect the midday letters from the

station, crushing his leg and dislocating his ankle, but he continued as the town’s postman. In 1891 he had also added a picture framing and photography business to his repertoire – who said that side hustles were a new thing? Ruth supplemented the family income with her work as a dress and mantle maker.

Like his father before him, William started at 6.00 am by sorting the mail which had arrived by a horse drawn cart at 4.30 am from Peterborough. William then embarked on three daily routes; the first down the High Street as far as the boundary with Deeping St James and then back to Bridgefoot, over the bridge to Toll Bar Cottage and two nearby cottages and then back again to Stamford Road (then Mill Lane) as far as Thorpe’s Mill. Returning to the Market Place he then went up Church Street taking in Halfleet and Towngate East and West returning from Sheep Dyke at the corner of Godsey (then Tinkers) Lane over the fields to the church, arriving home at around 9.00 am for breakfast. After a quick meal he

William Kisby

would take a horse and cart to meet the Peterborough train which stopped at Peakirk at about 11.00 am. Sorting started again ready for the midday delivery. The afternoon delivery extended from the High Street to Deeping St James Bridge returning via Deeping Gate to Toll Bar and cottages thence to Bridgefoot, Mill Lane, Church Street and Towngate East and West. William arrived back home at 2.15, resuming duty at 5.00 pm to sort the evening mail, commencing delivery at 6.00 and returning at 7.45 pm in time to stamp the mail that had been collected in local pillar boxes and sent to Peterborough.

Market Deeping Post Office was a Crown Post Office and other postmen were employed to deliver Deeping St James, West Deeping and all nearby villages. During the War there was a shortage of clerks and so William was called to work behind the counter but he missed his round and the people he met, especially at Christmas time when he enjoyed delivering their cards and parcels. Although the Market Deeping round was classed a walking round, in later years he was allowed to use his own bike having got a doctor’s note for rheumatism.

In 1914 a very large congregation gathered again at St Guthlac’s to witness the marriage of William and Ruth’s eldest daughter Alice (b.1888) and George Mayes. The bridesmaids were Mabel (b.1891) and Margaret (b.1893) sisters of the bride and Ralph Mayes of Raunds, cousin of the bridegroom, was best man. The couple spent their honeymoon in Colne, Lancashire, and returned to many useful presents including one from the Sunday school where Alice taught.

In 1922 a fortuitous partnership was made when Mabel Kisby married Bert Lambert (from Deeping Gate (issue 066) again at St Guthlac’s. Canon Ashby, back from his wartime duties, officiated and Maggie was bridesmaid, while Mr Chambers from Spalding undertook best man duties. The happy

couple left for their first home in Alford before returning to Deeping in 1924.

Two years later Horace Kisby (b.1895) married Elsie Stephenson, the eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Stephenson of Gretadale Chase Estate, Kings Lynn, at the Congregational Church, Lynn. It was a joyous day and lifted the family who had lost a son, Arthur, who was in the Royal Naval Air Service, in 1918.

The bride, who entered the church on her father’s arm wore a gown of rich ivory satin beaute in early Victorian style. The sleeves were edged with ivory lace and her tulle veil was trimmed with silver, and she carried a bouquet of white carnations and lilies of the valley. Freda and Olive Stephenson, sisters of the bride, and Nora Kisby (b.1896), sister of the groom, were bridesmaids in dresses of pale fancy marocain with matching crinoline hats trimmed with crepe de chine and gold tissue. Their bouquets were pink and gold roses.

Lionel Kisby (b.1901) was best man.

Horace Kisby followed in the family tradition of working for the Post Office, starting in Market Deeping as a telegraph messenger and graduating to being a Post Office Overseer in Kings Lynn in 1939.

The Priory Church in Deeping St James was the scene of the marriage of Eric Kisby (b.1902) to Elizabeth Christian in 1927. Lillian was the only daughter of William Christian who proudly walked her down the aisle. She wore a crepe de chine dress with a wreath and veil. Eric’s brother Lionel was again best man. Bert Lambert and Horace Kisby were groomsmen, and the bridesmaids were Eric’s sisters, Ada (b.1898) in a dress of wine crepe de chine with a black hat, and Mabel (b.1891) attired in flowered voile with matching hat.

Eric broke with the family tradition, becoming a baker and grocer, and he ran Lambert & Kisby’s with his brother -in-law Bert Lambert for 22 years from 1924, later running a sweet and toy shop with his wife from 87 High Street. Margaret Kisby remained single, working in the grocer’s shop and caring for her mother Ruth after William died in 1928, leaving an estate of £1060. Nora had also stayed at home with her mother until her passing in 1948, then in 1950 she married William Jones, a widower who became a manager of the Gas Works.

Lionel married Ida Selby of Lyndon, Rutland, in 1928 and, following in the family tradition, he worked for the Post Office as a telephone engineer at Peterborough making his home at 13 Taveners Road.

When you open your Christmas cards this year spare a thought for Joseph and William and the miles they walked and rode to bring Christmas to the Deepings!

Mr and Mrs Lionel (Ken) Kisby

DEEPING ST JAMES PHARMACY

DEEPING ST JAMES PHARMACY

DEEPING ST JAMES PHARMACY

fast and efficient wholesaler service to enable us to fulfil all the prescriptions promptly. We also keep a wide range of over-the-counter medicines and also vitamins and mineral supplements

Our other services include

● We offer blister pack medication to patients who meet the criteria.

● Flu vaccinations will be available this winter as a pre-book or drop-in service.

● NHS unwanted medicine service, where you can return all unwanted medicines to the pharmacy where we will dispose of them safely.

● Emergency supplies: if you need one of your regular medicines in an emergency and you are unable to contact your doctor, we may be able to help.

We are an independent pharmacy giving patients a one-to-one service. We like to model ourselves on the old community pharmacy where patients get to know us and you will always see a familiar face. Here at Deeping St James Pharmacy, we are proud to be part of the community and are always striving to give the community the best service open to them.

Come in and say hello, we’d be very glad to see you and assist you with anything you need.

Deeping St James PE6 8NT

deepingstjamespharmacy@aah-n3.co.uk

We understand how important it is to speak face-to-face with a pharmacist about your medicines and prescriptions. Our services give you the chance to chat to a pharmacist about your concerns, while getting expert advice on how to impove your health in our private consultation room.

JANUARY 2021

We are an independent pharmacy giving patients a one-to-one service. We like to model ourselves on the old community pharmacy where patients get to know us and and you will always see a familiar face. Here at Deeping St James Pharmacy, we are proud to be part of the community and are always striving to give the community the best service available to them.

We stock a wide range of prescription medications and dressings from all the main brands. We keep a comprehensive stock of all medicines and use a fast and efficient wholesaler service to enable us to fulfill all the prescriptions promptly. We also keep a whole range of over the counter medicines and also vitamins and other mineral supplements.

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fast and efficient wholesaler service to enable us to fulfil all the prescriptions promptly. We also keep a wide range of over-the-counter medicines and also vitamins and mineral supplements

WOur other services include

We are an independent pharmacy giving patients a one-to-one service. We like to model ourselves on the old community pharmacy where patients get to know us and and you will always see a familiar face. Here at Deeping St James Pharmacy, we are proud to be part of the community and are always striving to give the community the best service available to them.

e are an independent pharmacy giving patients a one-to-one service. We like to model ourselves on the old community pharmacy where patients get to know us and and you will always see a familiar face. Here at Deeping St James Pharmacy, we are proud to be part of the community and are always striving to give the community the best service available to them.

Our other services include

• We offer blister pack medication to patients who meet the criteria.

fast and efficient wholesaler service to enable us to fulfil all the prescriptions promptly. We also keep a wide range of over-the-counter medicines and also vitamins and mineral supplements

● We offer blister pack medication to patients who meet the criteria.

● Flu vaccinations will be available this winter as a pre-book or drop-in service.

We understand how important it is to speak faceto-face with a pharmacist about your medicines and prescriptions. Our services give you the chance to chat to a pharmacist about your concerns, while getting expert advice on how to improve your health in our private consultation room.

fast and efficient wholesaler service to enable us to fulfil all the prescriptions promptly. We also keep a wide range of over-the-counter medicines and also vitamins and mineral supplements

Our other services include

• Flu vaccinations will be available this winter as a pre-book or drop in service.

● NHS unwanted medicine service, where you can return all unwanted medicines to the pharmacy where we will dispose of them safely.

● We offer blister pack medication to patients who meet the criteria.

Our other services include

● Flu vaccinations will be available this winter as a pre-book or drop-in service.

• NHS unwanted medicine service, where you can return all unwanted medicines to the pharmacy where we will dispose of them safely.

We stock a wide range of prescription medications and dressings from all the main brands. We keep a comprehensive stock of all medicines and use a

We understand how important it is to speak faceto-face with a pharmacist about your medicines and prescriptions. Our services give you the chance to chat to a pharmacist about your concerns, while getting expert advice on how to improve your health in our private consultation room.

● We offer blister pack medication to patients who meet the criteria.

● Emergency supplies: if you need one of your regular medicines in an emergency and you are unable to contact your doctor, we may be able to help.

• Emergency supplies. If you need one of your regular medicines in an emergency and you are unable to contact your doctor, we may be able to help.

We understand how important it is to speak faceto-face with a pharmacist about your medicines and prescriptions. Our services give you the chance to chat to a pharmacist about your concerns, while getting expert advice on how to improve your health in our private consultation room.

● Flu vaccinations will be available this winter as a pre-book or drop-in service.

Come in and say hello, we’d be very glad to see you and assist you with anything you need.

● NHS unwanted medicine service, where you can return all unwanted medicines to the pharmacy where we will dispose of them safely.

● NHS unwanted medicine service, where you can return all unwanted medicines to the pharmacy where we will dispose of them safely.

We stock a wide range of prescription medications and dressings from all the main brands. We keep a comprehensive stock of all medicines and use a

We stock a wide range of prescription medications

● Emergency supplies: if you need one of your regular medicines in an emergency and you are unable to contact your doctor, we may be able to help.

● Emergency supplies: if you need one of your regular medicines in an emergency and you are unable to contact your doctor, we may be able to help.

Come in and say hello, we’d be very glad to see you and assist you with anything you need.

in and say hello, we’d be very glad to see you and assist you with anything you need.

Image: Gary Curtis

Madder Cutch & Co

An artistic chemist with an eye to sustainability sums up Nicola of Madder Cutch & Co in a nutshell but there is so much more to this creative with a love of making things. Nicola was brought up in Baston and went to school in Deeping, taking A level art and following a printmaking syllabus. But it was chemistry that formed the basis of her degree and provided her career in teaching for 20 years.

Following a return to Stamford, Nicola broke out of the classroom to escape to art college in 2014 and studied for a Masters in Sustainable Textile Design. She remembers a ‘fantastic year of learning and creating’ and thus invigorated set up a new contemporary studio in her garden in the home she shares with her husband Jonathan and dog Ernie, her three boys now having left home.

Nicola’s design process begins with drawing; she takes her sketch pad with her wherever she goes, and inspiration is never far behind. Having decided on a focus she will then create a repeating pattern, first on paper, and later electronically using Photoshop. It is wasteful to have a repeat greater than 30cms so that is always a consideration; she aims to produce metres of fabric screen printed with natural dyes. The textile-sized screens and squeegees are a two-person affair. Her friend Helen is her print partner. As Nicola comments, ‘Everyone who visits the studio for the first time is always blown away by the drama of it – it is quite good fun to watch!’

It was visiting the fashion and textile museum in Bermondsey and specifically the Collier and Campbell exhibition in 2015 that made Nicola learn how to embrace imperfections that are part and parcel of the handmade process and relax about the joins in her fabric runs. ‘To me the attraction is being in control of every metre that is produced. We see every part we print, in fact we can remember most orders we have printed, for something that didn’t quite go to plan, or even better how perfect it was!’

The Arts and Crafts movement is a big influence on her work as is her colour palette which is restricted by what she can get from nature. The colours of the dyes that are used give Madder Cutch & Co their distinctive style. Designs are quite organic and inspired by the gardens that Nicola loves to visit where you will often see her sketching plants. As well as botanical gardens, museums and art galleries also provide ideas aplenty for the fabric that she produces.

Satisfyingly, Nicola is comforted by the natural dyes that are used, non-toxic and biodegradable, requiring minimal chemical processing from their renewable source.

As the saying goes you can take the teacher out of the classroom but you can’t take the classroom out of the teacher and Nicola enjoys running workshops, teaching others how to design, screen or block print. She is as happy doing this at home in the studio or at a garden centre, for the WI and recently at the National Heritage Centre.

And the best-dressed Christmas tables? Well, furnished with Madder Cutch & Co textiles of course!

www.maddercutchandco.com

Image: Gary Curtis

The bells of waiting Advent ring, The Tortoise stove is lit again And lamp-oil light across the night Has caught the streaks of winter rain In many a stained-glass window sheen From Crimson Lake to Hookers Green.

And girls in slacks remember Dad, And oafish louts remember Mum, And sleepless children’s hearts are glad. And Christmas-morning bells say ‘Come!’ Even to shining ones who dwell Safe in the Dorchester Hotel.

The holly in the windy hedge And round the Manor House the yew Will soon be stripped to deck the ledge, The altar, font and arch and pew, So that the villagers can say ‘The church looks nice’ on Christmas Day.

Provincial Public Houses blaze, Corporation tramcars clang, On lighted tenements I gaze, Where paper decorations hang, And bunting in the red Town Hall Says ‘Merry Christmas to you all’.

And London shops on Christmas Eve Are strung with silver bells and flowers As hurrying clerks the City leave To pigeon-haunted classic towers, And marbled clouds go scudding by The many-steepled London sky.

And is it true? And is it true, This most tremendous tale of all, Seen in a stained-glass window’s hue, A Baby in an ox’s stall ? The Maker of the stars and sea Become a Child on earth for me ?

And is it true ? For if it is, No loving fingers tying strings Around those tissued fripperies, The sweet and silly Christmas things, Bath salts and inexpensive scent And hideous tie so kindly meant, No love that in a family dwells, No carolling in frosty air, Nor all the steeple-shaking bells Can with this single Truth compareThat God was man in Palestine And lives today in Bread and Wine.

John Betjeman

Molecey Mill at Christmastime

PTHE BIG CHRISTMASSHO

So everyone in the family can have a Christmas Jumper you’ll find a jumper for your four legged friend in a range of styles and sizes at Pet Stop

Coasters for Christmas! from Fiona @ creativelymodernbyfi on facebook and etsy or 07525170225

This small, framed sketch would make an ideal gift for a dog lover. Titled “Haven’t you finished yet?” by K.F. Barker, c.1947, you would get 5p change from a tenner at 59, Market Deeping Antiques & Craft Centre.

Craft your way to a happy Christmas with a selection of gift ideas and home makes at Riverside Beads & Crafts

This is a tradition we all want to discover! On sale with a host of other goodies at Vine House Farm, Deeping St Nicholas.

This red swirly hand made glass bowl is simply begging for a Christmas trifle! Yours for only £7.50 from Market Deeping Antiques

PTHE BIG CHRISTMASSHO

These tote bags make a great Christmas present for the animal lovers in your life, at just £5.99 they are great value too from Pet Stop.

Sam Stitches offers luxury sewn gifts including sparkly crowns and matching wands. These, and more, can be purchased online via samstitches.co.uk using code ‘freelocaldelivery’ for free p&p

Various cards both handprinted and printed from original linocut prints. Email dehliabe@ gmail.com or DM on Facebook/Instagram @ themerryweatherartist for details

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Moor Farm Shop Newborough.

Your complete festive artisan food shop, award winning Market Gate Deli by Grasmere Farm. With around 30 continental and local cheeses to choose from the Deli boasts one of the best displays in the area and is accompanied by Grasmere Farm Pork Pies, cooked glazed Hams and homemade pate.

Cute tree decorations amidst a whole selection of cards and gifts from Ruffles of Market Deeping, Towngate & Halfleet Corner.

Glittering selection of cards and gifts from Ruffles of Market Deeping, Halfleet (near Towngate Crossroads)

Wide selection of fun gifts for your pets at Pets Pantry, Market Gate.

Original work and prints by Elaine Anderson available from Black Cab Studio, DSJ Priory church print £35 (one of six local scenes)

White anemones’ a fine art print, ready to frame. Supplied with framing mount, envelope and gift tag - perfect to post! From Black Cab Framing, DSJ

Baubles depicting the Priory Church or St Guthlac’s designed by Brandon Mattless now available at £10 each from wwww. idratherbeindeeping. com or call 07852649464 for local free delivery

Bowlers Beers

Abigail & Brandon Mattless

The Merryweather Artist

Peter Scott

Elaine Anderson

Fiona Gurney

Hairy Dog Co.

Judy Stevens and Andra Fisher

Margaret Hunter

Shalini Austen

Wick & Wax

Pam Howells

Images by Stuart Render

The Granary is the perfect, adaptable backdrop. Whether you want your special day to be wonderfully romantic, dreamily intimate or daringly different, here you can let your imagination run wild.

Illustrator of the Deeping map for this magazine, Brandon Mattless tied the knot with his bride, illustrator Abilgail Hookham, at Fakenham, Norfolk, in the ruins of a beautiful church in August.

Friends from Deepings School days, Chloe Houston wed Adam Edwards at a ceremony at St Guthlac’s with a reception held at Molecey Mill - car by Arrive Vintage.

Contributor to this magazine, William Bowell married Amy Bowell, (was Welton) at St Andrew;s, Irnham on 29th May.

The Priory Church Deeping St James was the venue for the wedding of Jackie Wayte to Andy Tanner in June.

Kimberley Woodthorpe married James Healey at the Priory Church Deeping St James in April.

Elise Webster married Kevin Hawes in Deeping St Nicholas Church on 23rd July. The couple have settled in Donington.

The wedding between Sally Curran and Gareth Hennis was at Stamford registry office followed by a hand fasting ceremony and reception at The Golden Pheasant on 3rd June.

Image: Gina Fernandes

Image: Cara Zagni www.carazagni.com/

This Jubilee Wedding, celebrated at St Margaret’s at Luddington in the Brook near Oundle, had its beginnings at a Pony Show at Milton Park when Stacey Stringer of Market Deeping met Matthew Branson fourth-generation farmer of the family farm at Great Gidding. The relationship flourished while the couple were members of Oundle Young Farmers Club and they later set up Newborough Young Farmers Club. Now they run the family farm where they grow cereal crops and breed Aberdeen Angus cattle.

The wedding had been planned pre-Covid and pre-Jubilee but it was Matt’s 34th birthday and the couple were so pleased to have skipped Covid restrictions. As well as being the daughter of Tracey Jibb, whose family were the last licensees of the Prince of Wales pub, Market Deeping (issue 21), Stacey is also the greatgranddaughter of Stamford’s Ted Steele, owner of Steeles Removals and famous for his showmanship, donning a union jack suit and raising funds for charity. In a nod to this Stacey walked down the aisle with her dad Edward to ‘The Greatest Showman’s Song “Rewrite the Stars”’ performed by a string quartet. The vicar,

Rev Cathy Brazier, as an ex-backing singer to The Stranglers, was sympathetic to the couple’s wish to have Zebra Band UK at the altar to start the second hymn, ‘Sing Hosanna’, but then to jam into Bon Jovi’s ‘Living on a prayer’. The congregation literally rocked the church!

The couple were taken to the reception on the farm on a trap driven by a friend’s rescue pony, Sherman. A letter wishing the couple well from Queen Elizabeth II was the crowning glory of a fabulous rural occasion.

Winter Harmony

If we take a look at the natural world – of which we are obviously a part – then we see harmony. It’s only when humans, with their predispositions and tendencies, get involved that we see disharmony.

This is never truer than at Christmas time. The natural world is winding down for the winter so what do we do? We ramp it up with parties, shopping trips, feasts, going out visiting and whatever.

In the language of Oriental medicine things like stress, toxins, working too hard, caffeine, alcohol, damp weather and many others cause the liver to ‘overheat’. When this happens, your kidneys try to balance the heat and become cooler – which weakens them.

Depleted kidney energy does not necessarily mean that you have kidney disease. Long before such symptoms manifest, weakened kidney energy will cause shyness, anxiety, tiredness, fearfulness, lower back pain and even cold feet!

Wintertime is seen by practitioners of Oriental medicine as the time of Water Energy. Water Energy looks after the kidneys amongst other things. The wisdom here is that wintertime is the most challenging time of the year for the kidney so it’s a good idea to support your Water Energy. It’s not just modern people who get out of sync with the seasons!

Interventions such as Tai Chi, meditation, Qigong and Shiatsu treatments will help you to harmonise your overall energy, helping you to achieve better harmony.

If you can’t get to anything like that simply reducing the things mentioned earlier that cause the liver to overheat will help, as will getting a little extra rest.

Water/kidney Energy is also depleted if we are dehydrated. So drink a little more water.

Kidney Energy does not like being cold. The lower back and the feet are especially vulnerable to this. Put the crop top away until the summer and get some good socks!

Here’s something else to try, a little boost for your kidney Energy. Next time you are feeling nervous or edgy about something, rub your hands together and get them really warm. Then just place your hands on your kidneys and close your eyes. Imagine the warmth from your hands penetrating your kidneys and straighten your spine. Say to yourself, ‘It’s OK to feel nervous/shy/edgy but it’s not going to stop me from doing this.’

I am co-running a special ‘Winter Solstice Meditation Session’, on Monday 19th December at the Rosewell Centre, Castle Bytham. You are most welcome to come! That will certainly boost your water energy!

Ring me on 07413 620344 or take a look at the web site https://www.ki-ways.com/where you can sign up for the newsletter and take a read through the new blog which contains similar articles to this one.

All I want for Christmas...

Loved ones will be thrilled that I am not asking for much this Christmas. Well, there is a cost of living crisis don’t you know?! No, here are my wildlife wishes for this coming festive season.

For starters, I would absolutely love it to be a ‘Waxwing Winter’. I keep hearing on social media that they are on their way; they are making their way south in Scandinavia. It’s going to happen any day… And indeed, early signs in November were encouraging, a few flocks here and there, some not that far from us. But, and it’s a big but, so to speak, we hear the same thing most winters and I think it’s just people suffering the side effects of ‘hopeium’.

But why do I wish for such a bird? Well, for starters, they have such a great punk hair-do, make a fantastic trill noise, are suitably beautiful and I guess the fact I don’t see one every winter helps. They also remind me of my childhood.

In 1996 there was a famous invasion of the ‘Scandinavian pretty boys’ where flocks of thousands were found at some places in the country.

I was just a mere ten year old, confined to birdwatching from the garden and odd trips to the local gravel pits with Dad and Grandad.

One morning, in December that year, I woke up and looked out the window to find a small flock of seven or eight Waxwings, feeding in a neighbour’s hedge. Excitedly, I told my father about this rare visitor to our garden and that the book said they would keep returning until the berries were gone. All though I was completely unaware of it at the time (due to my Dad being a kind sort of chap), my father didn’t actually believe that I had seen such a bird from our dining-room table. So imagine his surprise when the next morning there they were…. Our first ‘rare’ bird.

As mentioned, they feed on berries to gorge themselves and can turn up anywhere: supermarket car park, garden or roadside hedge. So please keep any eye out for them…. And if you are lucky to find them, then please share your sighting!

My other wish this coming Crimbo is to finish the year on a high at Deeping Lakes. I don’t mean literally dear reader (though plenty of youths get up to such nonsense down there of an evening, I can tell you). I mean from a wildlife sense and, more to the point, a bird sense.

See, I have been trying to see as many species as possible from Deeping Lakes this year. Last year I saw 140 and this year I have been stuck on 140 for over a month and although there are apparent ‘sitters’ still to get, they are only easy if you get see them!

It would be amazing to see the greatest amount of species I have ever seen at DL, this year. In the spring

I visited almost daily, often two of three times a day (pre-work, lunchbreak and straight after work). And I have seen some truly wonderful things, such as the Curlew Sandpiper dropping in on its way south in September, the graceful Gannet that should have been out at sea, the hawking Hobby over the Lake, the Otters seen by moonlight on the river bank in spring, and wacky Whimbrel which alighted in May, when I

Waxwing

Tawny Owl

Gannet

Words and Pictures by William Bowell

had given up hope of seeing one, only for it to have brought a Wood Sandpiper friend with it.

But the want and search for more continues and to break my own record (competing only with myself, of course). I still need Tawny Owl, which is embarrassing and maybe a crepuscular visit with a hoot - that would of course do it. But wouldn’t it be great if it was something rarer? Like the aforementioned Waxwing or perhaps maybe a Great Northern Diver or Rednecked Grebe? Is that too much to ask Santa for?

But, of course, the thing I’m looking forward to most this Christmas enjoying the wildlife on our doorstep, with family. Whether that be watching the gang of Starlings’ frenzy on the left-over Yorkshire pud in the garden or going for a walk along the river on a cold,

crisp and clear afternoon. Sharing it with family will be the greatest gift of all.

But if it does snow, and an Otter runs out in front of us, or a Robin sits on top of a garden spade and I have my camera with me and take some award-winning photos, I would be happy with that as well… Santa?!

Will works at Grasmere Farm in Deeping St James (with a butcher’s and deli in Market Gate, Market Deeping) but in his spare time enjoys wildlife watching locally and across the country. He is also a keen photographer. Many of his images can be found at http://justwildimages.blogspot.co.uk and photo cards can be found for sale at Market Gate Deli in Market Deeping.

Whimbrel

St Guthlac’s Church Market Deeping

Christingle

Sun 11th Dec 4.00pm

Nine lessons and Carols in Church Sun 18th Dec 5.00pm

Carol Service for Care Home residents, families and carers but all are welcome Wednesday Dec 21st 2:30 pm

Midnight Mass Christmas Eve 11.30pm

Carols round the Tree

Market Place

Tues 20th Dec 7.00pm

Sunday 4th Dec 10.00am-5.00pm: Deepings Christmas Market in the town centre. This year’s event includes trade stalls, Super Sunday shopping, street entertainment, Fun Fair, craft marquee, food stalls, refreshments, Christmas Tree Festival, model railway display, Mayor’s Tombola, and lots more! Between 4.00-5.00pm: Grand Prize draw (£100 plus other prizes), Family Nativity event with Carols in the Market Place, followed by Christmas Tree lights switch on at 5.00pm

Priory Church

Deeping St James

Christingle

Sunday 11th Dec 3.00pm

Carol Service Sunday 18th Dec 6.00 pm

Crib Service Chrismas Eve 4.00pm

Midnight Mass 11.30 pm

Five great Christmas Carols

Music and Carols in Jubilee Park (Thackers Way end)

6.30 pm Fri 16th Dec

Christmas music and songs with Jon Dearden from 6.30pm to 7.30pm followed by Carol singing accompanied by the Salvation Army Band. Refreshments (mulled wine, hot chocolate, coffee, tea, cakes, biscuits and sweets) will be available from the DSJ Parish Council gazebo. Donations for the Salvation Army and the Friends of Jubilee Park.

Carols at Peterborough Cathedral

Business & Shoppers Carols Thursday 15th Dec at 6.30pm

Followed by mulled wine and mince pies

Christingle Service Sunday 18th Dec at 3.00pm A service for families, with seasonal readings, carols and traditional Christingle oranges

Christmas Eve 4.00pm, Festival of Lessons and Carols with the Cathedral Choir 8.00pm, Bethlehem Now! with the Salvation Army Band 11.30pm First Eucharist of Christmas (Midnight Mass)

www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk

Image: Colin Flatters

Image: Michelle Randall

what’s on

Santa Tracker!

Thurs 1st Dec Peakirk / Deeping

Gate / Sutton’s Lane

Fri 2nd Dec Church St ( DSJ), Bridge St, New Row, Park Rd, Welland Way, Hereward Way, Brownlow Close, Manor Way, Waterton Close, Park Rd, Millfield Rd.

Mon 5 Dec Northborough

Tues 6th Dec Broadgate Lane & Eastgate and roads off.

Weds 7th Dec Baston (North of Main St)

Thurs 8th Dec Baston (South of Main St)

Fri 9th Dec Frognall, Spalding Rd, Horsegate and roads off

Mon 12th Dec Linchfield, Thackers Way (East), Crowson Way and roads off.

Tues 13th Dec Church St Market Deeping, Halfleet, John Eve Way, and roads off Wed 14th Dec Lancaster Way & The Brambles Lancaster Way, Wellington Way, Shackleton Close, Glebe Close, Charter Ave and roads off.

Thurs 15th Dec Langtoft Village (East )

Friday 16th Dec Langtoft Village West

Mon 19th Dec Deeping Meadows Towngate West, Springfields off Linchfield Road, BeaufortGrange

Tues 20th Dec Godsey Lane / Lady Margarets Ave and roads off

Hadrian’s

Wed 21st Dec Meadow Rd / Thackers Way (West ) Burchnall Close and roads off

Thurs 22nd Dec Tattershall / Meadway / The Avenue and roads off Friday 23rd Dec West Deeping & Tallington

Carol Service with Deeping St

James WI

Priory Church, DSJ

Monday, 5th Dec at 2pm.

Everyone welcome.

Walk down Church St. Halfleet Market Deeping or DSJ or King Street West Deeping ths December and see the Living Advent Calendar come to life - then post a letter with your favourite (the date and address) through the door of Market Deeping Town Hall or into the letterbox in the front garden of 108 Church Street DSJ and the winning window will receive a £25 donation from DSJ or MD Parish & Town Council for their favoured charity. Windows can be viewed until 3rd January. Tell us your favourite advent window so that they may win a prize for their charity!

Advent Date

Church St DSJ

Pop in the letter box in the garden of 108 Church St - next to ACS Photography

A cruise on the Cut

a Talk by Derek Harris West Deeping Heritage

Tuesday 17th Jan 2 for 2.30 p.m.

West Deeping Village Hall. £3 at the door - everyone welcome and refreshments included. Derek looks at the architecture and engineering of the British canal system. Add to this some

locks, aqueducts, canal engineers (with naturally some audience participation) and it becomes a show that is both informative and entertaining.

Advent Date

Church St/Halfleet Market Deeping Pop in the letter box of the Town Hall, Market Place

My name is Address Entries must be in by 4thJanuary 2023

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