I'd Rather be in Deeping May 2023

INSIDE

Grimsthorpe Castle

5 INSIDE

Great things about

Welcome

One of Britian’s leading TV and theatre writers, Billy Ivory, famous for the film Made in Dagenham has now penned a play about Market Deeping Model Railway Club whose ill fated 2019 Show was vandalised causing thousands of pounds of damage. The Club were overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity by an enraged public and have risen phoenix like from the ashes with a new Clubhouse in Essendine and are on the verge of staging another Show on 13th & 14th May back at the Stamford Academy. The Club now have over 70 members and are keen to attract younger members to make sure that skills are kept alive. The Club have also been commissioned to publish a series of six books by Pen & Sword Publishers. How to Build a Model Railway is already out and another is due to be released in July.

Judy Stevens

Win a Family Ticket (2 adults and 2 children) worth £20 for the Market Deeping Model Railway Exhibition -the largest model railway show in East Anglia.. Second prize is an Adult and Child ticket worth £10.

Answer the question ‘In 2023 we are celebrating the centenary of, probably, the most famous steam locomotive in the world. Can you name the locomotive?’

Send your answer accompanied by your name and address to idratherbeindeeping@gmail.com by Friday 5th May

(pictured l-r Tony Taylor, Bill Sowerby, Lucy Bateson from Sponsor Country Court Care, Harry Bourn from sponsor TC Harrison, Peter Davies and Alan Hancock maker of the pictured American 60’s themed layout Springbuff City.)

In-Ctrl IT Support

AFFORDABLE ONSITE PC/IT SUPPORT FOR HOME USERS / BUSINESSES IN THE DEEPINGS

call nick: 01775 725755 mobile: 07719 853633 www.inctrlitsupport.co.uk nick@inctrlitsupport.co.uk

VERY LOW RATES, NO VAT, NO CALLOUT FEE & A PROVEN 16YEAR EXCELLENT REPUTATION THAT YOU CAN TRUST

SPECIALISTS AT TUNE-UPS, VIRUS/MALWARE REMOVAL, INTERNET ISSUES, DATA RECOVERY, BACKUPS, INTERNET SECURITY & GENERAL COMPUTER PROBLEMS ON-SITE OR REMOTELY SOMETIMES THE SAME DAY

Issues resolved from as little as £30 an hour remotely or £40 an hour on-site. We also sell refurbished laptops and desktops too, so if you’re thinking of replacing/upgrading ‘hassle-free’, get in touch

Giving Langtoft a Spring Clean!

Cllrs Lewis Trickey, Andy Hallam, Brian Branch, Liz Jarman. Villagers Carly Herman and her 3 children Jayden, Devon and Jessie, Geoff Card, Judy Daff.

Ahead of a recent Rangers game, Mike Palmer & Keeley Cole presented the club with a pitch side defibrillator. Mike’s son, Michael Palmer had sadly passed away whilst playing in a recent match for Crowland Town FC. Mike is campaigning to raise awareness and funds to purchase portable defibrillators, which are donated to football clubs. As a sign of their appreciation DRFC will be making a donation to Mike’s fund, so other clubs can have their own pitch side defibrillator. If you would like to support Mike’s campaign you can make either a one off or regular donation to the following account:

Wondering where the Scouts HQ was as featured in IDRBID last month? They were the gates to Holland House in Church St Market Deeping. Says Doug Ellis, ‘The scouts met in what was the outbuilding on the right hand side. In the 1950’s my father bought the Weslyan Chapel across the road and they moved there. I became Troop leader possibly because of my father’s connection... they moved to their present site - the only pre fab left from RAF Langtoft in about 1960.’ Cormorant and catkins.

WindowDoctor

LIVE THE Dream

Premium 3/4/5 bed homes in a beautiful village location.

07935

As part of Book Week, local author and book illustrator Ellie Sandall visited all 14 primary schools on Guernsey, ran a workshop at the Guille-Allès

The annual Easter egg run organised by Rutland Chapter donated Easter eggs to the Amazon Children’s ward at PCH from Sycamore Harley Davidson in Uppingham. Approx 80 bikes do several tours past the windows, quite a spectacle for the children. The run finished at the Iron Horse, a favourite biker destination bringing welcome trade to the town and respecting the locality in the way they ride through.

A hive of activity at Deep in Friends Coronation

l-r blond back of head Carol Hilton, Shirley Ward, Eileen Macer, Maureen Copland , Ella Witt, Val Watkins , Chris and Dave Wheeler, Brian and Margaret Hoult, Roz Craddock ,Jill Smith , Joan Smart , Jennifer Rogers. Stood back left Vanessa Brockington , and

Over £1500 was raised for St Barnabas and the Lions Brain Tumour Research Appeal when 30 1kg luxury giant Belgium chocolate eggs were raffled in the annual Deepings Lions Giant Easter Egg Event.

Bumps 2 Four welcomed Craig Leigh, quarry manager for Tarmac’s Maxey quarry to receive a donation of £250. The group has been able to replace its old play kitchen and buy some new construction blocks. They meet on Fridays during term time 9.30-11.00 am at Langtoft Village Hall - just £2 per family.

Image: Bill Fisher

One of the winners of the Lions Easter Egg Raffle, Grace Swindell

Organiser of the Deepings Summer Ball, Sharon Roberts raised a handsome £1161.00 at a Barn Dance held as part of the Save Our St Andrew’s campaign in March. This has put the total raised to £22k - with increasing costs the Group behind the campaign are keeping up with their fund raising.

1,000 copies of a child’s guide to everyday situations and dangers ‘Watch Out’ have been presented by the Rotary Club of the Deepings to six local primary schools in the area as part of their youth and community work locally. l-r Rotarian Paul Hanson, Claire Price – Linchfield Academy, Billie Evans – Market Deeping C.P., Matthew Baker – William Hildyard C.P., Rotarian Teresa Perrin-Brown.

The DSJ Allotment Association holders held a Coffee and Cake morning on a sunny Sunday in April, with an Easter Trail for the children, and a van full of plants for the plot holders to buy!

Worcester Bosch accredited installer for the Deepings and face of Worcester Bosch 2012

Ranked No 2 in UK for boiler supplier in 2020

£65+VAT

The Deeping Gate Ladies Group raised money for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice last year, here they make a cheque presentation to Helen Kingston from Thorpe Hall.

Image: Sally Wormall

FANCY

SUN 21st MAY 2023

All

The Deepings Swimming Club followed up a successful meet at Rugby where captain, Jacob Briers placed in the top three in all seven of his events as the Club brought home 18 medals with a sensational weekend at the 50 metre Corby International Swimming Pool. James Cash medalled in all eleven of his races as the Club came away from its first long course competition of the season with 43 medals, including 17 gold.

An impressive £782 was raised for St Barnabas at a coffee morning held at The Stage on 22nd March.

Twins born outside in the rain now snuggled up with their mum in the barn at Moor Farm, Newborough.

Trains, Boats and Cranes comes to Peterborough City Gallery June 3rd - August 6th

John McGowan

Some of you will have known me as an Art Teacher at AMVC. Those fifteen years at the school were the highlight of my teaching career. I made art in my spare time and enjoyed making exemplar prints and paintings to demonstrate a process or project. Retirement in 2007 gave new latitude to my artwork and allowed me to follow my nose in a variety of directions.

Much of that new work was based on local scenes: initially the buildings of Northborough and Glinton. The “Northboro’ Prospect”

print was well received and sired an edition of the St. Andrews image to raise funds for Church renovation. In 2013 the local Signal Boxes were my next focus when I discovered that a number of the local railway buildings were due for demolition and there too I became involved with the local activist group who were striving to save the Deeping Box.

I had my first one-man show at John Clare Cottage in the summer of 2014 and later held big exhibitions in the Yarrow Gallery in Oundle and in 2018 at the Alfred East Gallery in Kettering.

In 2023 I was invited to show my work in Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, where there is a strong focus on my Canal prints. The Peterborough exhibition will have more local works and quite a few individual pieces. The three rooms in the gallery give me space to show and explain the different threads of my work and its links to other artist’s work. The City Gallery is at the rear of the Peterborough Museum in Priestgate.

I hope you will take a trip into town and take a look at 50 years of my work. There are lots of original prints for sale (framed and unframed), starting at £10 for a handmade linocut or drypoint. There are cards as well. Monies from the exhibition sales will go to Cancer Research UK

Search “Trains, Boats and Cranes” in YouTube or look at www.johnmcgowanprintmaker.co.uk

adventure

RHS MALVERN SPRING FESTIVAL 12 May from £62.50

STODY LODGE GARDENS + CREAM TEA 23 May from £45

HOLT & SHERINGHAM 30 May from £32.50

ROYAL WINDSOR CRUISE 31 May from £49.50

SUFFOLK CRUISE, LUNCH + CREAM TEA 1 Jun @ £65

THE HIMALAYAN GARDEN 6 Jun from £47

LORD HESELTINE’S ARBORETUM 23 Jun from £47

GILBERT & SULLIVAN FESTIVAL, BUXTON 11 Aug from £69.50

Gilbert & Sullivan Festival

Stody Lodge Gardens Skara Brae, Orkney © Visit Scotland/Kenny Lam Heligan Gardens, Cornwall ©Andy Wilson

The Walnut Tree

Over the years, where The Waterton Arms provided the hub of entertainment in the village of Deeping St James, so The Walnut Tree has provided a security blanket before the days of Universal Credit.

Built in the 1840s by Stapleton’s, John Cropper one of the first landlords set the tone as a lively and enterprising landlord, introducing the Walnut Tree Friendly Society. The Spalding Free Press of January 1854 commented ‘…many new members have entered during the past year and although the expense of the sick and deceased has been great, the funds at the bank have accumulated very satisfactorily. The principle on which this club is conducted is simple and easy, no member needs to spend more than he pleases besides his monthly contribution.’ The New Year’s Eve supper consisted of ‘good ole English fare’; plum puddings, beef and mutton, and the evening was rounded off with a rendition of the Walnut Tree Club Song which had been composed by a member in the previous year.

By the time John and his wife Elizabeth (née Freeman) left to set up a grocer’s shop in Horsegate, a butchery business had been added to the back of the pub. Stephen and Ann Skerritt moved from Deeping St Nicholas to the pub, Stephen having come originally from West Deeping, and his wife from Nottinghamshire. Stephen maintained his links with Deeping St Nicholas as he was a shepherd at Littleworth by day, helping his wife Ann as publican at night. The Friendly Society continued to prosper and Stephen and Ann held the annual meeting in May 1861 with entertainment from the Maxey Brass Band and a good substantial dinner.

Ann found the pub too much to run alone as it got busier and Stephen was reluctant to give up his shepherding and so Langtoft resident Sandal Wilson took over with his wife Ann (née Measures) who he had married at the Priory Church in 1858. They had two children, John and Emily, and the business continued to prosper as Sandal was able to

buy some land and a cottage in Horsegate in 1875 when Mrs Norris took over.

It was Mrs Norris who presided when the Independent Order of Foresters held their anniversary. Members processed to the Priory Church where the Revd John George preached an appropriate sermon after which their members paraded through the town in their regalia, accompanied by the King’s Cliffe Brass Band. Mrs Norris provided an ‘excellent’ dinner and George Stapleton took the Chair. John Adams took over the pub briefly and was the victim of an opportunistic theft of three coins from his waistcoat pocket left hanging in the house. Benjamin and Thomas Robinson of Deeping St James had sold the coins to Market Deeping hairdresser, Mr Clifton and Mr Smith, a silversmith of the town. Mr Clifton had become suspicious and informed Sgt Crampton. In spite of their not guilty pleas the teenagers were sentenced to a month’s imprisonment with hard labour.

It was landlord Mr Savidge who provided the meal for the 1877 anniversary of the Order of Foresters’ following a rousing sermon at the Priory where the Revd John George had impressed upon members the dangers of connecting themselves with the Labour unions which had been in the village a few days previously. He said that they were ‘bellowing forth a tissue of lies and striving to create discontent between masters and men instead of brotherly love’. After the service there was a procession headed by the Peterborough Great Northern Locomotive Band. William and Ann Stokes then took the pub, Ann as the publican, William remaining as a domestic groom. In 1890 when the pub was let again there was a blacksmith’s shop at the back and this attracted blacksmith Edley Brown and his wife Edna. Edley was charged with drunkenness in December 1892 and in the following year the couple left for Richmond, California.

William James Soames

For the next fourteen years Baleston-born Alfred Bowler and his wife Ann were at the helm – they had one daughter, Alice. Alfred had been a brewer’s Traveller. The couple bred greyhounds, advertising five for sale in 1899. They lived in some Victorian style with a piano, a dining suite with leather chairs, inlaid occasional tables, brass-mounted and iron bedsteads, marble washstands, Duchesse dressing tables and carpets and hearth rugs, dinner and tea services. In 1907 all of the contents were auctioned as the family moved to Bourne, and shortly after the pub itself was auctioned under the terms of Harvey Stapleton’s Will but it did not reach its reserve and so was withdrawn, from sale to be sold privately to William Soames of the Red Lion, Market Deeping.

Landlord of the Chestnut Horse, Deeping St James, John Coaten took over as licensee at this point and the family were at the helm here for the next 20 years. John and Jane (née Wiggington) provided a potato supper for 160 (!) in 1908. Sadly John died in 1910 leaving Jane and her daughter Margaret in charge. At the meeting of the Walnut Tree Sick & Dividing Club in December that year members were paid a dividend of 19 shillings and 10 pence and were provided with an excellent supper. In the following year Jane suffered a severe injury to her shoulder when, on returning from Spalding Market, she was run into by a horse and dray driven by Francis Gray of Easton, near to Mr F. Allen’s of Horsegate. Gray was arrested for being drunk in charge of the horse and dray.

After her marriage to Harry Bush from Stickford in 1912, Margaret (Mag) continued to run the pub with her mother with Harry as the landlord. In 1913 he was charged with allowing drunkenness on the premises after John Hunt was seen by Inspector Deacon to leave the pub in a very drunken condition. Harry and other witnesses claimed that Hunt had appeared sober when he left the pub and as there was some doubt the jury found in favour of Bush. He was in court again in 1915, alleging theft of one shilling and three pence by Harry Sanderson of Deeping St James. In spite of the money being paid to the defendant prior to the hearing, the case was proved and a fine of 50 shillings was imposed. Later that year Harry was called up for service in the First World War shortly after Jane had died, and so the licence was transferred to Mag. Joyfully Harry returned to Mag and their two sons, John (aged 8) and Percy (5) in 1921.

In December Harry was back in court, this time for letting his dog stray in Deeping St James, and was fined five shillings. More seriously he was charged for not having a gang master’s licence and employing women without a licence – he had been supplying farmers with a number of women to do seasonal work on the land. He was fined five shillings for each summons.

In 1929 the couple moved to Bridge Street. Their son John, a lorry driver, died at the age of 57; he had been a keen sportsman and expert mechanic.

George and Peggy Soames took over the pub from the Bushes. George was a carpenter and builder and didn’t stay long, moving to Bridge Street in 1932 where he was briefly famous in the press for digging a root of Arran banner potatoes which was 6 ft 4 ins long! George and Ethel Taylor took over briefly in 1933 but it was the Wilson family in charge for the next 14 years.

As well as being licensee of the pub, George Wilson was a representative of the Derbyshire Railway Carriage and Wagon Builders of Chesterfield. He had been born in Hanford, Staffordshire, in 1888, to George and Dinah. Originally his father was a traffic manager on the railway but later a licensee of the Bull’s Head in Hanford. George Jnr became a railway wagon repairer and on the 1911 census was living with his first wife Ethel. As a widower he married teacher Kathleen (née Swift) in Peterborough in 1924. George had served in the War in the Staffordshire Regiment and prior to that had played football for the Stoke on Trent Railway Football Club and became the manager of Deeping United. The Club was very popular in the 1920s and 30s playing on the field behind the Rundle, 100 Bridge St (now Busy Bees nursery) wearing a distinctive strip of black and gold stripes. One ex-member recalls the days when they used the back room at the pub as a changing room, washing in Mrs Wilson’s bathroom and often leaving it in a muddy condition.

George died in Peterborough Hospital in 1946 leaving Kathleen (Kitty) to run the pub with the help of the young men of the football team. A couple of years later she auctioned some of her furniture and moved to Werrington, taking up teaching again with a post in Market Deeping.

Alfred Kendall and his wife were licensees at the Walnut Tree before moving to The Bell in Deeping St James. From 1954 Albert Bartle was the host at the pub; originally a pump man for the Anglo-Uranium Company at Cawton, he served in the First World War as a sergeant in the Grenadier Guards. Deemed to be a crack shot and keen sportsman, he became a fitter at Perkins before taking on the pub. Sadly he died at the age of just 38 in 1957, leaving £1,477.

Peter and Sheila Roffe came to the Walnut Tree in 1964 from the White Horse; Pete was secretary of the Bourne & District Victuallers Association. They left and moved to a house in Park Road.

The 70s were heralded with a pub refit by John Smith’s Tadcaster brewery having been warned by the Bourne Justices that the toilets and hand washing facilities in the kitchen required improvement. It is recorded that in March 1977 the Raving Nutters Football Club of the Walnut Tree journeyed to Stamford to meet The Vaults at Empingham Road Football Ground, winning 10 nil, goal scorers being B. Griffiths, M. Lake, N. Pocklington and D. Wilson. That year the licence was transferred from J. Downs to Brian and Jane Lake who were known for having live music at weekends. 1n 1979 their son Peter, apprentice engineer at Hotpoint, was tragically killed in a road accident just as his parents were preparing to move from Holland Close to Spalding. He left brothers, John and Martin and sisters Elizabeth and Jenny.

James Coaten and family

In October 1979 Noel and Sandra Burns Buckley from Coalville took over. The couple became famous for their extensive collection of match boxes: ‘We bought back twelve boxes from our holiday in Spain last year because we knew there wasn’t much decoration on the walls… since then it has snowballed and even complete strangers bring them in for us.’

Records show that the pub, not surprisingly with its sporting tradition, entered the first English Sports Challenge in 1984. In December 1987 Ron Gilbert volunteered to lose his sideburns at the hands of Rosemary Painter who was raising funds for Great Ormond Street hospital. Eddy and Rene Jones came to the pub from the Black Horse at Baston in 1986 and quickly decided to buy the pub from John Smith’s, rendering the pub a free house. To signify this dramatic change for their business they changed the name to The Horsegate Tavern, but eventually the original name was restored, reminding everyone that there was a grove of walnut trees at the bottom of the land, which extended to Park Road. At the front a dyke runs close to the pub, now piped underground, and in heavy rain it is possible to hear the water running. During the 1947 floods Eddy remembers local Jack Leeton telling him that he had rode into the pub on a punt! In July 2001 Eddy and Rene had a house built right at the back facing onto Park Road which they appropriately called ‘Happy Hour’.

In 2009 enterprising customers Darren and Lynn Grant took over the pub after it had been closed for a few months. They hold an annual beer festival at Easter, a car treasure hunt, a golf day and popular trips to the races at Newmarket. The pub fields eight darts teams and two quiz teams in the Deepings Winter Quiz league. Most occasions are celebrated at the pub; there are three screens to watch Sky Sports and BT Sports. As Lynn says ‘It’s more of a way of life enjoying the company of others than a job – we have three generations of some families drinking here and then wives and girlfriends as well.’ It seems once a community pub, always a community pub!

The Walnut Tree Club Song

Come neighbours and friends and listen to me, I’ll sing you the Club at the Walnut Tree, It is our own Club, let’s try all we can, To keep up its credits - ‘I will’ says each man.

Now unity’s a strength in a social view, Good order and peace from each member is due, Forgive and forbear; others faults do not scan, And each mend his ways; - ‘I will’ says each man

Now neighbours and friemds, my song I must end, And hope you’ll pursue, th’ advice of a friend, For I’ve done my best, and all that I can, Let’s keep up our credits; ‘I will’ says each man.

Noel Burns Buckley

Lynn Grant

Queen of Hearts

If ever there was a woman to challenge preconceived ideas about feminism and beauty, then that woman is Emily Sismey. In 2012 while still at Lincoln Uni studying Politics, her dissertation being on the relationship between beauty and feminism, Emily started her Princess Party business – one of the first of its kind . Emily had wanted to take her toddler niece to Disneyland in Paris as a birthday treat but as a student this was an extravagance she couldn’t afford, so instead she pressed her seamstress aunt into action and her Cinderella persona was born!

Having studied at Kirkstone House and then at Peterborough High School, Emily’s career had always been on an academic trajectory; her ‘A’ levels were in Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Further Maths and Biology, and accountancy or a role in the medical profession beckoned. However, she had discovered a penchant for

performing at an early age, had done her Lambda exams and had a GCSE in drama. This increasingly came into its own when Emily, in her first job on leaving Uni, at Stamford College was increasingly called upon to entertain children, first as Belle and Rapunzel – this was pre-Frozen and the advent of Elsa. With her aunt still making costumes this proved an ideal way to supplement her income but gradually the number of parties that she was being asked to attend grew and this side hustle became not only a full time job but a fully fledged business. Darling Princess Parties was born and now employs ten princesses, a magician and a Father Christmas.

With the increased demand for costumes, they were outsourced to seamstresses in the USA, one of whom had worked for Disney but who knew how to tread the fine copyrighting line. Wigs too are sourced largely from the USA but have to be maintained by Emily herself. Belle’s wig has 86 curls which need individually steaming, rolling, re-steaming every six weeks. ‘They are,’ says Emily, ‘like pixie dust to source.’

The magic ingredient which underlies the success of Darling Princes Parties is the little girl in Emily who, living in a bungalow as a child, longed to have stairs so that she could be locked in a turret like Rapunzel. This sense of wonder and excitement is a unique mutual bond with children. Now with many years of experience she can walk into a party and know immediately what the assembled party goers would relate to: ‘Sometimes you just know that these children want to sing and others will want to listen to a story – but we never read a story, we always tell a story. There is a subtle difference and the children respond to the interaction that that allows!’

Married and moved into her new home not long before lockdown coincided with Emily’s pregnancy and she was fortunate to be able to take the business online with virtual parties, as well as being employed by schools –having Belle to teach you French on screen is that much more accessible for children. The screen homed in only on Emily’s face and upper body and so she was able to work through to her baby’s due date.

But then the real drama unfolded! Having been dismissed from a panic visit to hospital when she was convinced that her baby was about to arrive, Emily returned home and as advised took a hot bath. With husband Aaron beside the bath writing emails to his colleagues informing them that he was likely soon to be offline, it became increasingly apparent to Emily that the baby was on its way. A call to 999 followed and instructions to an alarmed husband were given. At first the soon-tobe mum was convinced that an ambulance would arrive and whisk her away to the safety of a hospital bed. But when it became clear that the baby’s head was about to emerge, her mother was called and ‘Emily needs you’ was the understated plea, the couple anxious not to panic her. But as her mother mounted the stairs it was clear what was happening: father Aaron had delivered his first born who Emily was now clutching in wonderment, propped up by an inadequate pillow on the floor.

Now with toddler William telling his Mum ‘You look beautiful’ as she transforms into a princess, real parties are back with a vengeance as parents try and replace what their children missed in those three uncertain years! Darling Princess Parties will be at Storyfest on 27th and 28th May at the Community Centre!

• Plants

• Compost

• Lawn care

• WeedKillers

• Decking

• Garden Timber/ Sleepers

• Stone/ Aggregates

• Solar lighting

• Gazebos

• Garden furniture

And much more...

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: MONDAY-SATURDAY 9-6. SUNDAY 10-4

Tel: 01778 347500

What’s on for the Coronation

Coronation Picnic in the Park

Sunday 7th May 1-5.00pm

Music and Live Band

Craft and Colouring activities

Sports Day Games and a tug of war

Tea, Coffee and Squash

Grimsthorpe Castle

Saturday 24th June Symposium, exploring the traditions of British coronations and their connections to the Castle. Panel of guest speakers, including the current Lord Great Chamberlain, Lord Carrington, who will give us an insider’s view of King Charles III coronation. Tickets include entry to the Castle and Gardens, Coronation Exhibition, lunch and refreshments. https://www.grimsthorpe.co.uk/ crown-and-country-symposium/

Market Deeping Coronation Celebration

Shop window display competition

Sat 6th May Coronation Day

Riverside Park: From 3.30pm

Children’s bicycle Parade

‘Kings Tree’ Commemoration, Live Music

Sun 7th May Coronation Motorcade

Parade of vehicles around Deeping 11.00-12.00

Town Centre activities/ Pub Events: Hog roasts, BBQs. Heritage Display Town Hall open to view including activities for children 10.00-4.00pm

To register the motorcade contact townclerk@marketdeeping-tc.gov.uk

The Deepings Library

Monday May 8th 102.00pm

Celebrate the Coronation!

Cakes, crafts, games and a coronation trail

Small charges apply Tel 01778 346528

BBQ in aid of the Exotic Pet Refuge

Bring your own tables and chars

Info from clerk@deepingstjames-pc.gov.uk

King Charles 111 Coronation

Monday 8th May

The Crown Jewels Walking Treasure Hunt and

A Tea Party for a King 1.30-4.30pm

Start and finish at St Andrews Church Northborough

CORONATION FLOWER FESTIVAL

Priory Church Hall, Deeping St. James

Fri. 5th – Mon 8th May 2023

Admission Free Priory Church

Put your house/village in the Coronation picture and send to idratherbeindeeping@ gmail.com and we will post online or in the magazine!

Found in Deeping for the Coronation

Why not join in with the Coronation Big Lunch using the Coronation Quiche recipe featuring spinach, broad beans and tarragon ? This magnificent hand made and painted earthenware dish (use the lid for a casserole another time) is £25 from Market Deeping Antiques.

Celebrate in style - Long Life the King! Available at The Cigar Box, Market Place.

Designer and founder of the Sophie Allport homeware and lifestyle brand, Sophie Allport has seen her commemorative range fly off the shelves! Prices start from £14.50 for a fine bone china mug and £11 for a cotton tea towel. www.sophieallport.com

Local produce fit for a King at Vine House Farm!

Gold and silver sparkly crowns for the coronation handmade in Deeping - oh! and and bunting too! From www.samstitches.co.uk

Grasmere

The Red Cross Shop, Church St. Market Deeping a hive of Coronation ideas!

Coronation sun hats to commemorate a royal year £3.50 from Margarette Chambers e- mchambers52@icloud.com

Charlie Angel Charm

Kit – Makes 10. With enough pieces to create 10 Angels. £14.99 Available from the shop or online https:// riversidebeads.co.uk/ product-category/ seasonal/royal/

At Grasmere Farm’s Market Gate Deli, there is plenty of great British produce available to celebrate with. From English Gin, to local beers; local jams to fresh Hambleton Bakery bread (delivered fresh, daily), the shop offers plenty of choice. Grasmere Pork Pies and Cooked meats are available for picnic and there are bake at home sausage rolls too.

Follow this with a classy cup of tea using this regal looking Queen Ann patterned tea set for only £8.50 . Or even Champagne - this cooler is £14.75 but sadly the teddy is not includde! Market Deeping Antiques.

Fly the flag with Crowland Carpets

Nearly all of the carpets stocked are British made and our underlays are proudly made in Corby by Ball & Young!

Deeping Branch: 3 The Deeping Centre, Market Deeping, PE68FG 01778 341827

Bourne Branch: 11 Victor Way, Bourne, PE109PT 01778 424294

e: enquiries@crowlandcarpets.co.uk Visit: www.crowlandcarpets.co.uk

Our Royal Family have links to every part of the British Isles –read on for a tour through some of their favourite locations.

England is home to the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world! Built by William the Conqueror, Windsor Castle holds 1000 years of royal history, from extravagant feasts hosted by Henry VIII to the arrival of an executed Charles I during a snowstorm! More recently, Queen Elizabeth II made Windsor Castle her favourite weekend family home, a place to ride horses with her grandchildren and many other cherished private moments. Nearby, in Windsor Great Park, you’ll find the Savill Garden, home to some of the world’s rarest plants amongst its hidden glades and gardens. His Majesty The King has recently become the official Ranger of Windsor Great Park, 70 years after his father was appointed to the post.

Another of the royals’cherished retreats sits a little closer to Deeping at Sandringham. Since 1862 this extensive working estate, set on the edge of an AONB, has acted as a place of refuge for the Royals with much of the décor remaining as it was in Edwardian times. The 60-acre gardens include Rhododendron, Camellia and Magnolia trees brought from Windsor by Queen Elizabeth II to create interest and privacy, an 800-year-old Veteran Oak and cottage garden style planting that was created for King George VI. The Royal Family’s love of the outdoors continues at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a 320-acre UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s rooted in noble history and patronised by His Majesty The King. Kew was established as a national botanic garden in 1840 after King George III united the

Richmond and Kew estates. It’s now home to an impressive array of botanical attractions including an 18m Treetop Walkway and the incredible Victoria boliviana waterlily, named after Queen Victoria and officially the largest species in the world!

London is the royal capital of celebration and leadership. So many iconic events have taken place in the colossal Tower of London since building began in 1067. The Tower has been the backdrop for the ‘luxurious’ imprisonment of Sir Walter Raleigh and the interrogation of Guy Fawkes, and has been home to the fabulous Crown Jewels since 1661. They feature no less than 23,578 gemstones – no wonder they are under armed guard! Buckingham Palace is recognised around the world as the home of the British monarch and its 19 magnificent State Rooms include the elaborate red and gold Throne Room and The White Drawing Room, where a secret door allows the monarch to enter as if by magic! The 16-hectare Palace Garden features a seemingly endless 150m herbaceous border as well as the famous tennis court where King George VI and Fred Perry played in the 1930s. During the reign of George III, it was even the home of an elephant and zebra!

From The King’s official London residence, let us whisk you north to his official Edinburgh residence, The Palace of Holyrood House, where the walls, adorned with intricate tapestries, hold secrets of the infamous Mary, Queen of Scots. Scotland is also home to the pristine 18th-century Dumfries House which was saved by His Majesty The King when it became the home of The Prince’s Foundation; with an unrivalled collection of Chippendale furniture and Robert Adam architecture you can see why HRH chose to protect it.

If you’ve enjoyed this taster trip around these Royal sites from the comfort of your armchair, then consider delving deeper and taking in the sights on one of Shaws Great Days Out or Door2Door Holidays.

Experience it all on Shaws Departing from Deeping days out and holidays

Royal Windsor Cruise | 31 May from £49.50

Sandringham Estate & Hunstanton | 2 June from £27.50

Sandringham Flower Show with garden & church access | 26 Jul from £45

Kew Royal Botanic Gardens | 7 Aug and 24 Oct from £49

Buckingham Palace State Apartments & Garden Tour | 31 Aug from £77

The Queen at Windsor Castle with a private introduction | 28 Sep from £72.50

Kensington Palace, Crown to Couture | 4 Oct from £54

The Savill Garden & Cream Tea Thames Cruise | 23 Oct @ £75

Tower of London | 30 Oct from £59.50

A Royal Tour of Scotland | 4-8 Jun from £740 featuring Glamis Castle, Royal Yacht Britannia & Holyroodhouse

Ayrshire | 14-18 Aug from £675 featuring Dumfries House

The Throne Room

Dumfries House

GRIMSTHORPE CASTLE

GRIMSTHORPE CASTLE

The Chinese Drawing Room offers a mixture of classical, rococo, Gothic and Chinese elements. Each octagonal recess is of a different design, executed by the plasterer, William Perritt of York, who worked at Grimsthorpe in the 1760s. The exquisite Chinese wallpaper was hung in 1811, complemented by the Chinese fretwork, redecorated in its current striking black and gold scheme by Eloise, Countess of Ancaster in the 1920s.

The Vanbrugh Hall was created by Sir John Vanbrugh in the early 1720s for the first Duke of Ancaster, its dramatic proportions are a masterclass in elegant symmetry. A series of giltwood chandeliers made for the first Duke float in the cavernous space below the domed ceiling, illuminating the marble busts of Roman emperors and ancient gods who survey the scene from on high.

The Tapestry Drawing room is one of the original Tudor rooms, where Henry VIII held a council meeting during his stay at Grimsthorpe in 1541. Remodelled in the 1920s by Eloise, Countess of Ancaster, when the Soho tapestries which now adorn the walls, were brought with other furnishings from Normanton Park before its demolition. In this room are currently five thrones as part of the Coronation Exhibition. These thrones are perquisites of the Lord Great Chamberlain who was entitled to claim furnishings from the House of Lords which were no longer required. This practice ended when the Palace of Westminster was rebuilt after a fire in 1834.

The Tapestry Bedroom is named after the three Brussels Teniers tapestries of country scenes which hang in this room, the curtains and bed à la polonaise incorporate very fine rose-point lace, reputedly the gift of Queen Anne of Denmark when she stayed at Grimsthorpe in 1611.

The Tudor South façade is an unexpected marriage of architectural styles, contrasted by the Baroque splendour of the principal north front, the final masterpiece of Sir John Vanbrugh, architect of Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard. In 1516 Grimsthorpe and its lands were presented by Henry VIII as a wedding gift to William, 11th Lord Willoughby de Eresby and his Spanish bride, Maria de Salinas, lady-in-waiting and confidante of Henry’s Queen, Katherine of Aragon. Through many different titles bestowed upon their descendants over the last five hundred years – the ownership of Grimsthorpe has remained in successive generations of the same family united under one ancient title, the Barony of Willoughby de Eresby.

The Chapel is in a surviving pavilion of the late seventeenth-century front, which Vanbrugh raised and refaced. The original ceiling appears to have been retained intact: much of the boldly modelled plasterwork appears to be seventeenth-century, although elements like the ducal coronets and cherub heads were probably added later.

DEEPING PODIATRISTS /CHIROPODISTS

Degree trained Podiatrists/ Chiropodists with extensive NHS and Private experience.

See an HCPC Registered Podiatrists/ Chiropodist, Legally protected Titles for the protection of the public Daytime, evening and some Saturday Clinics are available

New service available -nail sampled and tested for fungal infection

MONTH BY MONTH PAYMENT £42

ANNUAL CONTRACT PAID MONTHLY IS £40

6 MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP £199

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP £349

The Community Centre, Douglas Road Market Deeping PE6 8PA

For Bookings at Market Deeping Ring 01778 342110 Website: www.deepingpodiatryandchiropody.co.uk

Ruffles Hair & Beauty

3 Halfleet, Market Deeping PE6 8DB 01778 344677

At Ruffles we have a highly skilled team of creative stylists and beauty therapist in a very welcoming environment.

Ruffles of Market Deeping

We are now stocking Cards, Gifts, Home Interiors along with the Ladies Dress Agency that has been here for nearly 10 years....

01778 344677

COUPLES MEMBERSHIP £70

PAYG £6.25

01733 808531

Help for Special Tai Chi Group

When I was a child, my mum had a part time job at St Peter’s Hospital in Bourne. St Peter’s was one of the old-fashioned styles of mental health hospitals and is no longer there, having been demolished in 2001.

Mum would take me along to events such as summer garden fetes at the hospital where I would meet her workmates and some of the patients. At the time, I didn’t really think much about it. We were just going out to try and win a cake on the tombola stall or similar.

Whether she realised it or not, I will never know, but Mum was giving me a very useful life skill. By mixing and making friends with people we would now realise have learning support needs, I was quietly becoming accustomed to their situation.

So, if we then fast forward 30 or so years to 2011, I started teaching Tai Chi at Wake House in Bourne. At the time, there was a group of people with learning support needs permanently using one of the rooms there. It did not take me long to start talking to them and getting to know them.

My comfort and ease with these people did not go unnoticed and I was asked if I would like to try doing a Tai Chi class for the group.

Tai Chi in its pure form is quite complicated but I already had experience of simplifying the art and keeping the benefits from other work that I was already doing for Dementia Support South Lincs. I agreed to give it a try and we all had a good time.

Twelve years later,

we are still doing it!

However, the world is a different place to what it was a few years ago. Before lockdown, we had a healthy number of people coming but somehow the numbers didn’t really recover afterwards.

This kind of work is important to me as it gives benefit to many people – the service users, their carers and their families. So I wanted to keep it going even though it had become financially difficult.

As a professional Tai Chi teacher, I am a member of the Tai Chu Union for Great Britain. One of their latest initiatives is what they call ‘The Gerda Geddes Fund’, named after a famous Tai Chi teacher. With this fund, they supply grants to Tai Chi coaches who deliver Tai Chi lessons to ‘disadvantaged’ people.

I contacted the Tai Chi Union with my idea and they liked it. There was a simple application form for the grant which I filled in and sent to them. Our special class was then discussed at their board meeting.

They unanimously agreed that the cause was a good one and that the Tai Chi Union would award our group the maximum grant possible to pay the rent for the hire of the room. It’s made a little bit extra special by the fact that this is the first such grant ever to be issued.

This means that, for around seven months, the rent for the Learning Support Tai chi group is covered. I can now confidently go out and recruit new members to the group, safe in the knowledge that the group is stable and that we will not have to stop running it.

I am not a professional carer, so if a person needs that sort of help, then a carer must come with them. Other than that, there are no real restrictions on people joining the group. If you or someone that you know has learning support needs and would like to make new friends in a Tai Chi group, please contact me and we can chat about it.

If you would like to learn more about these or other Tai Chi classes please contact me via email ray@ki-ways.co.uk or give me a ring on 07413 620344 or look up the website www.ki-ways.com Artwork by Tracy Pawlett

NENE VALLEY CARE HOMES

Garden Lodge Care Home in Glinton

Florence House Peterborough

Three small family run care homes in Peterborough and Market Deeping providing a real home-from-home environment with exceptional care from devoted, trusted carers.

Garden Lodge

in Glinton is a detached chalet style bungalow with a very attractive and peaceful garden.

9 ROOMS

Florence House

in Peterborough with all en-suite bedrooms. Situated just a few minutes walk from central park where the residents can enjoy the café and watching the world go by.

19 ROOMS

Garden Lodge: 01733 252 980/07801 273 804 or e-mail: managers@gardenlodgecarehome.co.uk

Florence House: 01733 315 900/07801 273 804 or e-mail: info@careatfl orence.co.uk

The Laurels: 07801 273 804 or e-mail: thelaurels@nenevalleycarehomes.co.uk

www.gardenlodgecarehome.co.uk

The Laurels in Market Deeping

(taken over by us in February) is a beautiful Grade-2 Listed Building within walking distance to Market Deeping town centre.

20 ROOMS

Inspired by Nature - Kathryn Parsons

The first time I remember creating an artwork about nature was at infant school. I had a wonderful time making a picture of a hedgehog using twigs for spines, and was delighted when the teacher chose it to hang on the wall!

I’ve always had a need to create and to explore what different materials and processes will do. And right from my earliest years I’ve also loved spending time in nature, especially ’treasure-hunting’ for interesting and beautiful natural objects. I’m the sort of person that comes home from walks with photographs of tiny lichens, or happily sets off to find the most beautiful pebble on the beach. Finding and noticing beauty and intriguing small details in nature brings me delight, and a deep sense of wonder and connection.

Nowadays, my work as an artist flows from those same passions – a deep inner urge to create, and the love of exploring nature and materials. I delight in seeking out interesting stories about nature and place, then choosing the materials and techniques that best tell them. It’s an adventure, driven by curiosity.

Though I’m constantly drawn to the beauty of nature, I don’t ignore the increasing devastation of the natural world. The massive biodiversity loss and human impacts on ecosystems and climate grieves me profoundly and adds an urgency and additional focus to my work… it’s there, underpinning what I do, though I generally choose to use a ‘gentle voice’ in which to communicate my concerns.

A recent example of this is my ‘Medicine Cabinet for Westings Meadow’, created as part of my work with Langdyke Countryside Trust. You won’t find Westings on any contemporary maps, but for hundreds of years its 500 acres were an important resource shared by the surrounding villages, including Helpston, Glinton and Maxey. It is mentioned in documents dating back to the 1260s, and I’ve identified something John Clare wrote as being a firsthand description of Westings Meadow! Today many parts of the old meadow have been quarried for gravel, including several nature reserves managed by Langdyke Countryside Trust.

Walking Westings Meadow Eastern End

NATURE

The ‘Medicine Cabinet for Westings Meadow’ tells of ways in which the land is being restored and biodiversity is encouraged through natural processes and the work of Langdyke’s volunteers. The contents refer to some of the key ‘ingredients’ in that restoration. There’s a piece of Field Bindweed –a common plant but an important one as it’s the only food-plant of the caterpillars of the rare and lovely Four-spotted Moth which live on the meadow. The rosehips are for the ‘near-threatened’ Harvest Mice, and Hawthorn because of its importance as a nursery-plant for oak seedlings. In a dish there’s rich soil from the Meadow, full of the microscopic animals and mycorrhizal fungi that are essential to the health of plants. And in the bottom drawer is a copy of John Clare’s description of the Meadow, a reminder of a time when this place was bursting with life, and painting a picture of what it can become again.

As well as telling stories of nature and place through my own artwork I love to nurture the creativity of others. And it’s well-known that connecting with nature is good for our wellbeing in many different ways. So, for the last three years I’ve been running “NatureCraft” mini online workshops, providing a gentle hour of connecting with creativity, nature and others on Monday and Tuesday evenings. With a different theme each session, you can pick and choose which to come to – it’s a great way to try something new. Tickets are by donation (to keep it as accessible as possible). You can find the link to book tickets via my website www.kathrynparsons.co.uk

Very excitingly, this year I’ll also be running creative workshops and guided walks with Sarah Lambert, a super-talented ecologist and photographer. They’ll be gentle, mindful nature-connecting times (with cake!). Sarah and I are Artists in Residence with Langdyke Countryside Trust, so we’ll be running these events mainly on Langdyke’s beautiful nature reserves, sharing our knowledge and love of these special places.

The first Langdyke workshop is on Wednesday 10th May at Torpel Nature Reserve (near Helpston), when I’ll be showing you how to make ‘Miniature Nature Treasure Boxes’ – using air-drying clay to create mini treasures inspired by wildflowers. We’ll decorate the little boxes with prints made using real leaves. It’ll be a lot of fun! (Tickets £38, plus booking fee, booking essential.)

On Mid-Summer’s Day, Wednesday 21st June, Sarah and I will lead an evening walk on ‘Westings Meadow’. We’ll be sharing our research into its history and biodiversity, as we enjoy a gentle evening stroll on this historic site.

Details of the Langdyke events can be found at www.langdyke.org.uk

I hope you’ll be able to join me at one of these events and sign up to receive my newsletter with updates of art, workshops, local history and nature. Meanwhile, if you come across any historic references to Westings Meadow I’d love to hear from you!

Medicine Cabinet for Westings Meadow

Miniature Nature Treasures

Walking Westings - College Pit

What do we need to know about the forthcoming Elections?

• Elections for South Kesteven District Council are taking p lace across the region on Thursday 4th May

• South Kesteven has 30 local areas called Wards and the SKDC is made up of 56 representatives

• Residents in the Market and West Deeping Ward can votes for up to three District Councillors

• Residents in Deeping St James can also vote for up to three District Councillors

• Everyone over the age of 18 years has the right and responsibility to vote in the election

• Casting your vote can be done by post, or privately in person at the polling booth on the day

• A postal vote must be filled in and sent back in sufficient time to arrive by 4th May

For Market and West Deeping Ward Pam Byrd

• When voting in person it is now a requirement to bring some form of photo identification with you e.g. passport, driver’s licence, bus pass, blue badge, Voter Authority Certificate

• Every vote counts equally and you are free to choose any combination of candidates that you wish

• Councillors all sign up to a respectful Code of Conduct based on the Seven Principles of Public Life

• It is a criminal offence to make false or misleading statements about other candidates

• Each Independent candidate should be elected on their own personal reputation for achievement

• Vote for candidates that have a proven track record of delivering improvements for the Deepings

• ‘Independent’ is not a political party

Note:

Presiding Officers will have a long and busy day at the polling stations on 4th May and you may have to wait for your turn to voteplease be patient and understanding when voting in person.

Your vote counts. If you already know me, you will be aware of my love for the Deepings and of my enthusiasm to contribute positively to improve our local services. I understand the area well and have demonstrated my commitment and leadership throughout many years of working, volunteering, and contributing to community development activities here. I am standing for election to the District Council because I have the experience and determination to get a much fairer deal for the Deepings.

My ambition continues to be building a strong and healthy community across the Deepings.

Through my work on the Neighbourhood Plan group and Market Deeping Town Council, I am currently working and leading on projects to address a range of concerns in the Deepings - this includes the provision of Leisure facilities and the protection of Mill Field. I am also progressing the Library extension project and working on achieving other aspects of a thriving town.

Standing out from the crowd. I am genuinely Independent and have no political background and no allegiance to any political party or to any group or individuals. My sole focus is to work constructively with others to ensure Deepings residents get their fair and rightful share of district funds, directed in the most productive ways for the benefit of our community. I can be relied on to work respectfully with others to achieve the best outcomes for the Deepings.

As your local Independent candidate I will speak up for the Deepings at South Kesteven District Council.

Towering Success?

Words and Pictures by William Bowell

Back in the darkness of the first lockdown, in March 2020, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (LWT) made the decision to close their reserves to the public. Disaster for the people but perfect for the wildlife. For these are above everything else, reserves for nature!

On Willow Tree Fen LWT reserve, near Tongue End (of recent BBC Countryfile fame, don’t’ you know) this closure changed things forever, A pair of Common Cranes took up residence and looked as if they were quite taken with their the new home. During spring, Cranes will often move around, looking for new territories, feeding spots and the like. This Willow Tree pair saw many a wandering Crane and they looked set to stay.

The residency of this pair was something of a champagne moment for avian fans in Lincolnshire, for the last breeding Cranes in the county were seen at least 400 years ago. Hopes were high that Cranes would once again breed and to everyone’s joy, June saw a youngster accompanied by its parents.

Cranes pair for life and although flock together when not breeding, especially during the winter, they are site loyal once a breeding site has been chosen. ‘Our’ Cranes

probably haven’t come from far; just the Nene Washes, where they regularly breed, and wintering flocks can number over one hundred!

But what of their past? Well, as a youth, I was aware of the small, elusive, legendary, flock of Cranes in the Norfolk broads. To witness these elegant birds that stand over a metre tall, a dusk visit to Stubb’s Mill, in the depths of the Broads was needed, as they went to roost. Chance encounters of feeding birds on local fields and reed beds were unlikely as their numbers were so small.

Myth has always surrounded the Norfolk Broads population. Our British birds are said to be the only non-migratory Common Cranes in Europe, which some would suggest makes them of captive origin. But Cranes did once breed in Britain and migrants from the near continent, although scarce, were not that unusual in Norfolk during the late 1970s when these birds first appeared. The habitat in the Broads is perfect, plus there is no other real suggestion of captive origin.

Crane encounters are always special, no matter where and when, and I remember my first. Late on, during the afternoon of Saturday 30th November 2002, news reached me of two adults and a juvenile Crane present at Eldernell, on the Nene Washes near Whittlesey. I was just a teenager and my birding mentors and good friends; Trevor Williams and his son Dan had me hooked on ‘twitching’.

Twitching, dear reader, is the pursuit of seeing new, rare or scarce bird species. And back then twitching was new and exciting and these legendary birds I had read about in books were so nearby. I simply had to go. Naturally, it wasn’t that easy and the birds had flown a mile further when we arrive, so we had to sprint against the dusk to see the exquisite, special birds.

Less than ten years later, Cranes were breeding on the Nene Washes (how was I supposed to know?!) and can almost be dismissed on a visit (or they would be if they weren’t so graceful and big, not to mention noisy!). Since then, birds have naturally bred in Scotland, Yorkshire and a few other counties. There has also been a reintroduction programme in the south west, which has been very successful.

Back at Willow Tree, in 2020, the pair raised a single youngster to fledging. A moment in history. A true conservation success story on our doorstep. Back from the brink and thriving! In 2021 the pair sadly lost their young, but last year two chicks fledged and I am happy to report, at the time of writing, that at least one tiny, ginger chick has been sighted already this spring.

It doesn’t stop there either. Another pair have bred even closer to Deeping this spring and although unsuccessful this year, it’s promise for the future, and with another pair prospecting the future surely is bright for a bird that towers among others in the fens.

Dancing Cranes

Male Crane

With perhaps over 60 pairs attempting to nest in Britain these days, Common Cranes are far from being common, but rather a symbol of hope, that we can bring birds back from the brink. The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and the worst in the G7. It is down to all of us to hold our government and local officials to account for the decline in environmental standards that has led to this.

And the Crane towers above all, to show it can be done.

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.

Crane flock on Nene Washes

Dancing Cranes

5 great things to do at Storyfest

Come and say Hi to Mickey and Minnie - have your picture taken with Elsa - sample a smorgasboard of stories from the Library storytimers - workshops with Ellie, Emily and Brandon Mattless - be entertained by the Theatre of Widdershins and Toby Wood - enjoy the Treasure Hunt - if possible come dressed as your favourite character! An extravaganza of story delights - come and join us! Sat & Sun 27th & 28th May 1.30 - 5.00pm

Pre-booking advised for some events - FREE tickets from the Deepings Library

Ellie Sandall

Children’s author and illustrator and owner of the popular art school Artivity, Ellie Sandall will be creating colourful characters in four workshops over the two days. On Saturday 1.30-2.30pm it’s Wooden Spoon characters, and from 3.00- 4.00pm Doodle Dogs. On Sunday from 1.30 to 2.30 the workshop will be all about bird sculptures and between 3.00 and 4.00pm Ellie will be demonstrating how to make collaged characters in the style of Ana Ventura.

Toby Wood

Toby Wood spent his entire life in Peterborough, as an education adviser, headteacher, teacher, but perhaps most importantly, as a child. Consequently he is not widely travelled and regards coming to Deeping as the ‘trek of a lifetime’

Pigs + Bears Don’t Come in Pairs!

Straw, wood, brick? Porridge, chairs, beds? Two trios to tantalise and tickle your senses in this DOUBLE BILL of Furry Tails, where Goldilocks may even be more scary that the Big Bad Wolf!

If two’s company and three’s a crowd, then book your place now for these well-loved stories, retold with puppets, original music and a perfectly petite pop up set. Ideal for 3 to 7 year olds.

‘Two of the most gorgeous and delicate tellings of familiar tales you’ll hear this side of Jackanory in the TV show’s glory days’ (***** GET YOUR COATS ON). Booking advised – free tickets from the Deepings Library M-F 10.00 - 5.00pm closed Thurs, Sat 10.00- 3.00pm

Emily’s Book Factory

His poems are like cheese and onion crisps – fun, quite tasty but you probably wouldn’t live on them. Toby enjoys looking at the quirky side of life, having fun and will be encouraging children to get the maximum benefit from a single piece of A4 paper. He will make you and your kids laugh he always does! Come and see him on Saturday 27th May in the Main Hall of the Community Centre at 2.45pm.

Emily is a local artist who is deeply inspired by the natural world. Realising there was a link of storytelling running through her work, she studied for an MA in Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art between 2018 and 2020. Emily is really looking forward to seeing your imaginations turn into books at the Book Making Factory! 1.30 - 4.30pm, Saturday 27th May

Inner Wheel to provide refreshments

Elaine Slade

Elaine is a children’s author and former Deputy Head living in Werrington. She enjoys exploring a good story and inspiring children, including her family (four daughters, two granddaughters) to love reading. During lockdown she achieved a childhood dream of writing quality children’s story books. Her daughter’s loveable Goldendoodles are the inspiration for the two main characters in the highly recommended Charlie Farley series of six published books. Elaine is passionate about raising children’s selfesteem and equipping them to face life situations through the personalities and adventures of Charlie Farley and Jasper. They are fun, well-crafted stories in rhyme for children aged 4-9 years. Elaine will be reading from her books and will have some for sale too! www.elainesladebooks.com

what’s on

The Deepings Lions Prostate Cancer Awarenss Event

In association with Prostate Cancer UK and the Deepings Practice

Sat 27th May, 1.00 – 4.00 pm

Coronation Hall, 16 Halfleet, Market Deeping PE6 8DB

1.30 ‘Know your prostate’ presentation

- Tracy Taylor, Prostate Cancer UK

Grimsthorpe Castle

Lecture Series : The Colonial Country House. May 18th 6.30 pm

Professor Corinne Fowler, from the University of Leicester and co-author of the National Trust report on its properties’ historical connections to colonial activities, will talk about the local Jamaican connections of Grimsthorpe and Normanton Hall and consider what these tell us more broadly about the history of country houses and empire.

Tickets Adults £10 Students (with a vaid NUS card) £5 Season ticket holders 10% off up to two tickets. www.grimsthorpe.co.uk.

Willoughby Memorial Trust Gallery

Moreley’s Lane, Corby Glen, NG33 4NL 12 – 5 pm. Tuesday – Sunday, admission free Wed 17 May - Wed 7 June.

Life in Colour

Painting and glass by Lorraine Thorpe

Lorraine Thorpe works with colour and texture to capture moments of beauty and thoughtfulness. She also creates original fused glass sculptures for the home and garden.

Improv Paintings by Joey Lowe

Spalding artist Joey Lowe trained in Theatre and Art in London. He now produces abstract paintings and is creating sculptures for Springfields Gardens.

www.willoughbygallery.com

2.15 Support at the Deeping Practice -Dr Daniel Wade, The Deepings Practice, Q&A, Light refreshments

West Deeping Heritage

Tues 16th May. Vine House Farm, Deeping St Nicholas, PE11 3DG.

Brief AGM in the Café at 2 p.m. followed by a hosted visit to the barn which houses Nicholas Watts’ collection of old agricultural implements. Own transport. Numbers are limited so contact Maggie on 07808 585189 or email wdheritage@ hotmail.co.uk

Exhibition of Embroidery and Textile Art

Rutland County Museum, Oakham (10.00 am - 4.00pm M, W, F, S)

20th May - 14th June

View the work of Stamford Stitchers. Group meet third Thursday of every month, at 7.15 pm, at the Borderville Centre, Ryhall Road, Stamford, PE9 1US. A All welcome - £6 per evening for visitors.stamfordstitchers@gmail.com

The Arts Society

Peterborough monthly talk

The Fleet, PE2 4 DL. 11th May 10.15 am

Music in Art. Explore the historical references for musical instruments exist in art with Sophie Matthews. Sophie explores them and gives live demonstrations on replicas of the instruments depicted. First talk free All welcome. www.the-arts-society-peterborough.org.uk

Coffee and cake

Priory Church Hall

10.00am - 12 noon

Sat 27th May

£3 on the doorlive music and crafts

The Handlebards present

A Midsummer Nights Dream

Northborough Manor

Weds 24th May

Tickets £20.50 from www.handlebards.com/tickets

This is an outdoor production so dress for the weather! Rainmacs rather than umbrellas that block the view

The Good Mood Cafe The Deepings Library

Weds 3rd May 10.30 - 12.00 noon and Wednesday mornings thereafter

Held in conjunction with CPSL Mind

An opportunity to meet new people, share interests, skills and well being tips in an informal space to help boost your mood! It’s okay not to be okay, so a good mood is not essential but we hope everyone will feel better when they leave. Shared Reading is every other Friday the first being 21st April 2-3.30pm

Changes at Burghley,

a talk by Joe Whitehead, Head Gardener at Burghley House Hardy Plant Society, Fenland group.

Saturday 20th May, 2.30pm Swines Meadow Farm Nursery, 47 Towngate East, Market Deeping, PE6 8LQ. Non-members welcome, £3. Angie, janda.salix@gmail.com. 07484157650

Burghley Park and Peterborough Ladies for Cancer Research UK

Now in their 50th year and having raised £1.2million for the cancer research labs at Cambridge one of the labs is named after them!

4th Tuesday of the month next 23rd May

Lunch at the Black Horse Baston

Would you like to join them? Contact Ann Hanson (Chair) on 01778 34423400 or Anthea Rampling 07821 635899.

Wills

Why do I need a will?

Wills are important to ensure that your assets pass to those you would like. If you are not married, your partner will not automatically inherit your estate. If you have children, you can also use a will to nominate guardians to ensure they are looked after if the worst may happen.

Lasting Powers of Attorney

What are they?

Lasting Powers of Attorneys (LPAs) are documents that allow someone that you nominate as your attorney, to deal with your financial or health affairs on your behalf.

These are used when you lose mental capacity but must be created while you can still make decisions. If you do not create these in time, then unfortunately the solution is more costly and time consuming.

Probate

What is it?

When a person sadly passes away, some banks and institutes require a Grant of Probate to enable you to collect in their assets. If you are selling a house, a solicitor will require this to complete the sale.

We are licensed to assist with the probate application on your behalf, as well as distribute the estate, making everything simpler at this difficult time.