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Living Villages December 2016 Water Newton, Thornhaugh, Stibbington, Sutton & Wansford
Living Villages
December 2016
Water Newton, Thornhaugh,
Stibbington, Sutton & Wansford
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EDITORIAL
Once again we are indebted to John Measures for providing another wonderful photograph for our front cover. I wonder if we will have snow this winter, there’s no doubt that it will continue to rain!
I would like to express my personal thanks to Michael Lee who was kind enough to loan our family a ‘very loud bell’ which was used recently to bring the guests ‘to order’ at the wedding of our son Andrew to Alison.
I am beginning to receive some offers of written articles for Living Villages, but would be grateful for more. When I took on this role, I wasn’t expecting either Rod or me to write any specific reports on a regular basis, but we were faced with four pages to fill this month, so it was fortunate that we had been contacted by Hubert Warren and it was a delight to visit him as part of the research for the centre page article. If you would like to write something, but are not sure what to cover, we have some ideas, so please get in touch!
Onto distribution and publishing deadlines - January - this will be sent to the publishers on 23rd December, however due to the factory shutdown the magazine will not be available until 6th January, at the earliest. Because of this the February edition will not be sent to the publishers until 1st or 2nd February with distribution around the 8th/9th. Please be mindful of these dates if you are sending me any time sensitive information.
On behalf of the Living Villages Editorial team, I’d like to wish everyone a Peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year Tracy Sortwell
Editor: Tracy Sortwell
Treasurer: Sue Kudlinski
Distribution manager: Rod Sortwell
Advertising Manager: Kate Hopkins
Printing and collation: PPS/ Print
Regular features writers:
Reflections: Jane Tailby
Local History: David Stuart-Mogg
Nature Notes: Graham Blagden
Front Cover: John Measures
Editorial team For contact details see p 4
CONTENTS
Contacts 4 Worship Lists 5 Reflections 7
NEWS REPORTS:
Friends of churches: Stibbington 9 Water Newton 9 Wansford and Thornhaugh 11 Stibbington Centre 15 Horticulture Soc. 19 WI 27 PCSO 30 Lottery 31 PARISH COUNCILS:
Sibson-cum- Stibbington 22 Wansford 24 SPECIAL FEATURES:
Special Report 20, 21 Previous Editions 23 Quiz 29 Nature Notes 35 Letters to the Editor 37
Diary Dates 39
Read your magazine on-line at www.livingvillagesmagazine.co.uk
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Living Villages Editorial Team
Editor Tracy Sortwell 07841 382063
Treasurer Sue Kudlinski 07983 570684
Distribution Manager Rod Sortwell 01780 783403
Advertising Manager Kate Hopkins 07580 218792
Parish Councils Sutton Peter Lee (Chairman) 01780 782703
Wansford Wendy Grey (Clerk) 01778 441312
Sibson-cum-Stibbington Wendy Grey (Clerk) 01778 441312
Thornhaugh Deirdre McCumiskey (Clerk) 01780 782668
Water Newton (Parish Meeting) Tony Capon (Chairman) 01733 237500
Churches Ministers: Thornhaugh & Wansford 01780 782271
Stibbington & Water Newton Parish Office 01733 380900
Churchwardens:
St Andrew’s Thornhaugh: Stuart Foreman 01780 783220
Liz Kemp 01780 782333
St Mary’s Wansford: Caroline Ashley 01780 782408
Alan Jones 01780 783205
St John the Baptist, Stibbington Richard Winfrey 01780 782431
Carol Lindsay
Friends:
St Mary’s & St Andrew’s Dora Baker 01780 782519
St John the Baptist Helen Facer 01780 782932
St Remigius Water Newton Tony Capon 01733 237500
Other useful contacts Neighbourhood Policing 101 P’boro City Council 01733 747474
Wansford Surgery 01780 782342 Royal British Legion 01780 782200
(Out of hours 111 option 4) Stibbington & Wansford WI . . 789996
Wansford Pharmacy 01780 781616 Cricket Club 01780 782109
Communicare 01780 470437 Horticultural Society 01780 782446
H’don District Council 01480 388388 Stibbington Centre 01780 782386
Website www.livingvillagesmagazine.co.uk
DIRECTORY OF CONTACTS
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Date Time Location Service
4 Dec 9.30am St Andrew’s, Thornhaugh Holy Communion
4 Dec 10.15am St. Kyneburgha, Castor Holy Communion
11 Dec 9.30am St Mary’s, Wansford Holy Communion
11 Dec 6.00pm St. John the Baptist Stibbington
Carol Service followed by wine and mince pies
16 Dec 6.00pm St Remigius, Water Newton Carol Service
18 Dec 9.30am St Andrew’s, Thornhaugh Holy Communion
18 Dec 10.15am St. Kyneburgha, Castor Holy Communion
18 Dec 6.00pm St Mary’s, Wansford Community Carol Service
24 Dec 3.00pm St Andrew’s, Thornhaugh Christingle Service
24 Dec 4.00pm St. Kyneburgha, Castor Crib Service
24 Dec 11.00pm St Mary’s, Wansford Midnight Mass
24 Dec 11.30pm St. Kyneburgha, Castor Candlelit Midnight Mass
25 Dec 9.00am St. John the Baptist Stibbington
Christmas Day Holy Communion
25 Dec 10.00am St Andrew’s, Thornhaugh Christmas Communion
25 Dec 10.15am St. Kyneburgha, Castor Christmas Day Holy Communion
2017
1 Jan 9.30am St Andrew’s Thornhaugh Holy Communion
1 Jan 10.15am St. Kyneburgha, Castor Holy Communion
Wednesdays at Wansford
10.00am
Morning Prayer
WORSHIP
December
2016
St Andrew’s, Thornhaugh St Mary’s, Wansford
St John the Baptist,
Stibbington
St Remigius,
Water Newton
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REFLECTIONS By Rev David Ridgeway
The sending of cards is an important part of the traditions associated with Christmas. I have to confess that I find the writing of cards rather a chore. However I do enjoy receiving them; and I find Christmas cards a very helpful way of keeping in touch with the friends I am not able to see very often.
Though wood engravers produced prints with religious themes during the Middle Ages, the first Christmas card, as the term is now understood, is believed to have been designed in England in 1843. An edition of 1,000 copies was placed on sale in London. The design was of a family party, beneath which were the words "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You." Since then the custom of sending these cards has become more and more widespread and is now practised in many countries throughout the world.
It amazes me that, out of the many cards I am lucky to receive, I rarely get two the same. Today there is a great variety of cards on offer depicting all manner of different subjects; snowmen, Robins, Holly, Mistletoe, angels, as well as depictions of the central event which we celebrate at Christmas, the nativity itself.
Many of the portrayals of Christ’s birth to be found on Christmas cards are reproductions of some of the beautiful, old and valuable paintings to be found in galleries and art collections throughout the world. These pictures were generally commissioned by wealthy patrons to adorn churches. However they weren’t painted just to look pretty, although most of them do. The artists who created these masterpieces set out to convey some of the hidden meaning of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem. They were painting at a time when most people couldn’t read and the pictures produced by these artists helped to tell the gospel stories in a way that ordinary people could understand.
Today we live in a society in which most people can read and we don’t need the paintings to tell us about Jesus Christ; his life message and ministry. This is probably the reason why the world’s greatest Christian art tends to be found in museums and art galleries rather than in places of worship. This is a great pity because many paintings are able to convey the truths of our faith far more powerfully than words; even the words of the gospel stories.
One of my favourite paintings of the nativity is a little painting less than a foot square which is in the collection of the National Gallery in London. It is thought to be by the 15th Century Dutch painter with the wonderful name of Geertgen tot Sint Jans (Little Gerard of the Brethren of St. John). This is one of the most engaging and convincing pictures of the Nativity as a night scene. The brilliant light in the foreground comes from the Christ Child in the crib. It illuminates the figure of the Virgin, who bends forward, hands joined in prayer with St Joseph in the background, and the figures of the delighted small angels to the left. The radiance of the angel announcing the birth to the shepherds on the distant hillside provides another contrast between darkness and divine light. The way in which Little Gerard contrasted the dark world with the divine light of the infant Christ serves to emphasise the miraculous nature of his birth. The painter manages to achieve something which words alone just cannot portray.
Do take a careful look at some of the pictures you will find on your Christmas cards before you hang them up. They may well help you to gain a fuller picture of the mystery we celebrate later this month. May the light of Christ shine in your hearts this Christmas and throughout the coming year.
GETTING THE FULL PICTURE
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FRIENDS OF STIBBINGTON CHURCH
Stibbington Church "clear up" Day I would like to thank those who came to help collect the mountain of leaves on Sunday the 13th Nov. We had a beautiful sunny day and it was really nice to catch up with you, we definitely made a difference in the two hours that we were there and managed to fill a bit of the huge trailer that Mike and Charlotte Bradshaw kindly donated for the purpose once more, a Big Thank You to you both for bringing that over for us to use again.
Suzy Story
“Why not come and join us at our Christmas Carol Service on Sunday 11th December at 6pm for
Carols and complimentary mulled wine and mince pies as we head into the festive period. It`s a
great chance for everyone to get together ahead of the Christmas rush! “
Helen Facer
FRIENDS OF ST REMIGIUS WATER NEWTON
Our next service is our Annual Carol Service which will take place on Friday
16th December at 6pm. - we will be lighting the candles for a real
'Christmassy feel'. As always, we would love to see our many friends from
surrounding villages - all are most welcome. After the service, we will serve
mulled wine together with other Christmas delights.
On Sunday 5th February 2017, we will be holding a ‘Candlemass’ service at
5pm. Following the service, you can look forward to delicious hot food
washed down with a glass or two of wine. Do come along and enjoy great
company and some ‘Water Newton’ fellowship.
Tony Capon
Stibbington 101 Club The winner of the November Draw is; Mr R Warrener Well done and your cheque is on it's way to you. Suzy Story
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FRIENDS OF ST. MARY’S AND ST. ANDREW’S
We would like thank all who supported our Christmas Bazaar, and especially
Mandy Veni, who had decorated the Hall so beautifully, Eddie McDonnell, who
entertained us with carols from his keyboard, and Satish from the Village
Shop, who very generously provided several Raffle Prizes.
The Bazaar was opened by The Reverend Jane Tailby and proved a great
success. There were so many stalls with beautiful gifts, plants, cakes,
homemade preserves, jewellery, handbags, and cards that we could hardly
find enough tables for them all. But still we managed to seat all our visitors as
well, who enjoyed tea and biscuits and mince pies in a truly happy pre-
Christmas atmosphere.
During the afternoon our Chairman,
Liz Bolderston, presented a cheque
of £700 to Captain Rachel Stouder
from the Peterborough Branch of
the Salvation Army. This money had
been raised at our Harvest Lunch
this year and will provide a
Christmas meal for many needy
people in our area. Captain Rachel
Stouder also thanked us warmly for
the many Christmas gift bags we
had wrapped up for homeless men.
The afternoon ended with a great
Raffle.
Important future dates:
Our next meeting on December 7th at 10.30 in the Community Hall will be
our last one this year.
On Wednesday, 14th December we are planning a Christmas Meal for
members at Launde Abbey at 12.30 for 1 p.m. Transport arrangements will
be made at our next meeting.
We will again be helping with the serving of refreshments at the Carol Service
and the decorating of both churches before Christmas.
In January our meetings will take place as always on the first and third
Wednesday of the month, the 4th and 18th at 10.30 in the Community Hall
after Morning Prayer at 10 a.m..
There only remains for me to say a very big Thank You to all you generous
people, who have supported us through the year, as we have been trying to
bring a little cheer to people in need - and to wish you all
A VERY BLESSED CHRISTMAS.
Dora Baker (Secretary).
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HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Matthew Wilson’s talk “A Tale of Two Gardens” on Thursday 3rd November was a great success, with almost 130 people packing the ballroom of the Haycock Hotel to hear him speak. His talk was entertaining and often witty, but also very thought provoking and liberating, debunking many of the myths about how we should garden. As well as talking about his approach as curator in the R.H.S. gardens at Hyde Hall and Harlow Carr, Matthew reminded us just how amazing plants are in all their complexity and adaptations, and he stressed that, without plants, we simply wouldn’t be here. Not only do they provide us with oxygen in the air we breathe and with food, directly and indirectly by feeding animals, but also with the fuels that we rely on for transport and heat. Above all he gave a very positive message to enjoy our gardens as an extension of our own personalities, appreciating the variety of form, colour and texture rather than stressing about any imperfections.
We are in the process of building our programme for 2017 and already have many ideas about our coach trips and visits in the coming year. Some speakers are already booked – Ann Bird, a rose expert and George Stevenson who will talk about the National Gardens Scheme – but the full schedule of events will be published in coming issues of Living Villages. You can be sure that we will try to make it a varied and exciting year for our members.
We conclude our 2016 programme with the A.G.M. and Christmas Party at 7 p.m. on Saturday 10 December in the Christie Hall. Always an enjoyable occasion, we will as usual be serving a delicious festive supper accompanied by wine. As I write we have nearly reached our maximum numbers, but do get in touch if you had intended to join us in case there is still space for one or two more.
Gill Fisher, 01780 782446 [email protected]
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SPECIAL REPORT By Tracy and Rod Sortwell
Continuing our series of articles about
the achievements local residents, we
look back this month to an age when
the main entertainment was local
theatre, touring companies and of
course the cinema. Our subject this
time is Hubert Warren long standing
resident of Thornhaugh, who along
with his wife Brenda, welcomed us to
their village home recently. At the
age of 91 Hubert is very spritely and
has played an active role in church
and village affairs. He was at one
point the editor of this magazine
when it was published under the
Village Life title (see page 23).
We have to thank him for making
available a large number of back is-
sues which will prove a valuable
archive for the present team.
As a former actor, play write and
director, his theatrical past was
highlighted to us by an appearance as
guest of honour at the Coventry
Belgrade Theatre where the play
Night Must Fall by Emlyn Williams
was being performed by the Original
Theatre Company. This play had run
in the West End Pre WW2 and was
made into a film in 1939 and again in
1964. Hubert, who was born in
Crowland, was a frequent visitor to
the Empire Theatre in Peterborough
and was immediately stage struck at
a very early age.
Unfortunately war curtailed any
acting opportunities and he
volunteered for the RAF, training as a
wireless operator on Marauder
aircraft. Hubert had been destined for
Far East service when fortunately
hostilities ended and he was
re-assigned to the Middle East and
RAF Welfare under the famous Ralph
Reader. Here he was made
responsible for the RAF Gang Show
and eventually joined ENSA or
Entertainments National Service
Association also known by servicemen
and women as Every Night
Something Awful. He starred in and
directed plays including Night Must
Fall at a number of venues
throughout the Middle East including
one where Williams came out
especially to see the production.
Finally he landed the job as stage
manager in Cairo where the famous
John Geilgud had brought his
production of Hamlet. After demob in
1947 he returned home to find
Crowland awash in the terrible floods
of that year. Initially he joined a
small theatre company in Malden but
after the season finished he kept his
eye open for opportunities and
eventually joined the Court Players in
October of that year. They had
companies in several towns including
Peterborough.
Turning to more local productions
From Crowland to Coventry and places between
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we were able to see a programme for
a play co-written by Hubert called On
Probation which the appropriately
named Court Players performed in
Peterborough during June 1954. This
play was staged at the Empire Theatre
which stood near the current Broadway
Theatre, but was demolished in 1960
to make way for Sheltons Department
store, which has more recently become
residential flats.
The nostalgic programme displayed
advertising for Daks flannels, Rayleigh
Cycles, Youngers Pale Ale and Fowlers
wrapped and sliced bread which may
be remembered by some of our older
readers. However by 1955 the demand
for local theatre was declining and
Hubert retired from the stage to join
Robert Sayle Stores in Peterborough
subsequently its parent John Lewis
Partnership. However he was not
finished with the stage, and his talents
were in demand by local amateur
groups and for the Stamford
Shakespeare company he notably
co-directed Coriolanus when this
seldom performed blockbuster of
Roman violence was staged at
Tolethorpe. At other times he was a
valued consultant to the production
team for their annual summer season.
The energetic Hubert also served his
village community with a passion and
pride working closely with Jennifer and
David Powell late of Sacrewell to
achieve a number of successes.
Notably they won the Proby Best Kept
village title in 1985, 1991 and 1994.
Hubert was also Father Christmas on
several occasions, notably for a regular
Church event organised with his wife,
Brenda, to send gifts to The Home for
Deprived Children in Peterborough. He
was also Clerk to local Parish Councils
and a tireless campaigner for
improvements to be made to the very
dangerous A1 access which saw a
many serious accidents and a tragic
fatality in 2008.
From Crowland to Coventry and places between
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SIBSON-CUM-STIBBINTON PARISH COUNCIL
WED 2ND NOVEMBER 2016 - THE ENVIRONMENT CENTRE, STIBBINGTON.
5 Councillors, Parish Clerk and 5 members of the public were in attendance.
Items of interest:
A resident reported to the clerk prior to the start of the meeting that leaves
falling off the trees onto the pavement outside The Haycock Hotel never get
cleared up and could cause someone to slip when wet.
CCC (Cambridgeshire County Council) advised Parish Council about complaint
received by them re significant amounts of construction and demolition waste
being dumped over period of last two weeks at Wansford Marina. Complaint
has now been passed to the Environment Agency to investigate.
Sibson Garden Village Proposal (Larkfleet) - Cllr Beuttell outlined what the
Parish Council (in conjunction with Elton Parish Council) had done so far and
reported that both Parish Councils objected to the EOI.
Precept 2017-2018 - It was unanimously agreed we would request £11,000
the same as in previous years.
Planning Application 16/02210/HHFUL – the erection of single storey rear and
side extensions, porch and an extension on top of existing garage at Squirrel
Corner, 17A Old Great North Road, Stibbington PE8 6LN – no objections were
raised.
Traffic Calming and Parking - It was noted that whilst the bridge had been
closed for 5 weeks traffic/parking had not been such an issue but since
re-opened issues have returned. The Parish Council will write to Highways
(Cllr M MacGuire) to seek clarification on what can/cannot be done and
ascertain way forward.
It was reported that there had been 4 burglaries within the last 2 months one
of which took place on the morning of the meeting between 11 a.m. and 1
p.m. whilst the householder was out. Concern expressed at lack of policing –
Parish Council to request more police presence and attendance at meetings.
Please be vigilant now the dark nights are here.
Date of Next Meeting - Wednesday 11th January 2017 commencing at 7 p.m.
Meeting Dates for 2017 but may be subject to change:
Wednesday 11th January
Wednesday 1st March
Wednesday 3rd May
Wednesday 5th July
Wednesday 6th September
Wednesday 1st November
23
PREVIOUS EDITIONS By Tracy Sortwell
It’s been a real pleasure having the
opportunity to read and study some of
the past editions of the magazines
which have been produced for our
villages. In the past month I have seen
sight of a Stibbington Magazine
published in the 1980’s and I have
been made aware of other similar
publications.
As mentioned in the article about
Hubert Warren, a previous form of this
magazine which covered the villages of
Wittering, Thornhaugh, Wansford and
Stibbington was called Village Life. It
was very much a Church magazine and
was underwritten by the two Parochial
Church Councils and the Parish
Councils and benefitted from regular
advertisers and donations from our
local organisations (many of whom still
support us today).
Village Life from January 1984 to the
Autumn of 1990 was distributed to 800
households and published four times a
year apart from 1988 when it seems to
have had a sabbatical. Content was
very similar, in some respects to
today, although due to the more direct
links to the Church there was a more
sacred slant.
One thing that did seem to be popular
was the children’s section with pages
devoted to quizzes and pictures to
colour in. There were also a number of
recipes including the Village Life Rich
Christmas Cake, Village Life Light
Christmas Cake and the Village Life
Traditional Christmas Pudding. Perhaps
I will include these in a future
September or October edition.
What has amazed me was the amount
of co-ordination which had to be put in
place to put the magazine together.
These were the very early days of
computerisation, as demonstrated by
a photo of two employees from the
publishers Burghley Printers sitting
proudly in front of their ‘hi-tech’
computer.
All contributions had to be gathered in,
the majority were hand written so they
needed to be typeset and collated.
Everything was then taken to the
publishers who had to make the
photographic plates, print, collate
stitch or staple and finally guillotine.
This all took at least two weeks. It was
certainly a much more arduous task
than today when I am able to cut and
paste articles from emails and
other on-line documents and then send
the whole 40 page file to our current
Publishers, PPS, by email, who then
are usually able to produce our
magazine within a few days.
If anyone has any copies of local
Village Magazines from our past,
particularly pre 1995, I would love to
have sight of them.
Village Life
24
WANSFORD PARISH COUNCIL
Meeting 15 November 2016
In attendance: Cllr J Stannage–Chair, Cllr T Pearson Cllr R Clarke Cllr M Handley –Vice Chair, Cllr V Thorley, Cllr David Johnson, In Attendance: Wendy Gray Parish Clerk and two members of the public and Sgt Ricky Passam from Peterborough Police. The Council dealt with the following matters: Policing Police Sgt Ricky Passam came to introduce himself and explain the Introduction of the Northern Team of the Prevention and Enforcement Service (PES) based at Bayard Place that will be covering our area. He advised that they were increasing the Police presence in the area, and that they were regularly visiting the A47 Picnic Area to reduce illegal practices, Planning: 16/ 01650/ FUL Application for ground sourced heat pump plumbing below ground in agricultural land, No Objection. 16/01930/16 Erection of single storey office building of Peterborough Road (behind the old Little Chef) There was no objection providing that the remainder of the site remains for parking. WI Centenary Donation, WPC w ill push ahead w ith a hand rail and lighting on the access to the Community Wall using the welcome donation from the WI. Nene Close/Toddlers Play area, A new sign has been purchased advising visitors not to park in Nene Close. Christie Hall WPC understand that The Royal British legion have at last agreed to the new 10 year lease to the Hall management committee. 20MPH speed signs We are continuing to push for speed restriction to the centre of the village Belisha beacons and road markings WPC are pressing for the Belisha lights to be repaired and the road markings at the cross road to be renewed. A47 Dualling WPC are continuing to press for a satisfactory design with cycle way . The next meeting of the Wansford Parish Council will be on Monday 12 December 2016 at 7.30pm in the Community Hall. Members of the public are welcome to attend and participate. Cllr Martyn Handley.
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STIBBINGTON AND WANSFORD WI
The month of November has been a busy one. For those who don’t know, it is the month when the WI holds its election for President and committee members, so that was a function of our early November meeting. We have also been busy packing shoe boxes for the Samaritan ’s Purse Shoe Box Appeal, and in total packed or sponsored almost one box per person. These became part of the offering from the school where I work, they make a colourful photo. We went to the Commonwealth War Grave of Annie Freeman in Stamford to remember her at the beginning of November and we are going to be running a bigger project to research her and the role that she would have played in the WRAF in WW1, culminating in an exhibition at Stamford library next year. The 3C’s Craft group met at the beginning of November and w ill meet again on December 2nd for the last time this year. I am expecting frenetic activity as various Christmas gifts are completed. If you would like to join us, please do – 10 til 12 in the Wansford Community Hall. We had a WI Group meeting at the Christie Hall on November 3rd where we were joined by 3 other WI groups. Our theme was bonfire night, so tables were suitable festive and food was suitable for cold November nights. Our speaker told us about medical detection dogs and the great work that they do to support those with diabetes. We are looking forward to a busy December – our meeting on December 13th will feature the opportunity to do some beading with a Christmas theme – if you would like to join us, our meeting will start at 7.15pm in the Wansford Community Hall. Members will also enjoy our Christmas Lunch on December 10th when we shall be revisiting the Warmington Red Lion – I am sure it will be as delicious as last year. Finally, 3C’s will recommence on January 6th and 20th, 10 til 12. Please do join us if you would like some time for Craft, Community and Chat. If you would like to know more or join us at a meeting, please do contact me. Details of our meetings and more news can now be found on our blog www.swwiblog.com
Jan Armitage 01780 789996
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Quiz Corner No prizes, all just for fun!
© Puzzle Choice
If you’ve not attempted one of these before, these are the instructions - each letter is represented by a number 1-26. Can you crack the code and solve the crossword? Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Three letters are already in place to get you started. Solution will be sent by email, on request
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My name is Michael Courtney-Hunt (whom some may have already heard of ) and have returned as the rural PCSO where I am keen to forge links with as many people as time will allow. In an effort to maintain a presence within the Rural community, an holistic approach has been adopted to best achieve this.
As from Monday 17th October, Inspector Kieran Mylchreest has taken over the management of the Northern Team of the Prevention and Enforcement Service (PES) based at Bayard Place to enable this approach to be carried out.
This Northern team is dedicated to dealing with issues within the following wards – Wittering, Barnack, Glinton and Castor, Werrington, Paston and Walton, Gunthorpe, Bretton, Ravensthorpe, West and Eye, Thorney and Newborough.
The team will consist of Police Officers, PCSO’s, Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers and Civil Enforcement Officers.
The objectives are: Reducing ASB, Tackling Victim Based Crime, Creating Stronger and supportive communities, Supporting high risk and vulnerable Victims.
This Safer Peterborough Partnership will be based at 4th Floor, Bayard Place, Broadway, Peterborough, PE1 1HZ
So for the rural area this means Sgt Ricky Passam will be in charge of officers covering 26 villages between Thorney and Wothorpe, the three main contacts being: Sgt Ricky Passam ([email protected]) P.C. Graham Frisby ([email protected]) P.C.S.O. Michael Courtney-Hunt ([email protected])
If you have an emergency requiring police attendance then 999 is the number to call otherwise 101 would be the number to call for non-emergency or to report a crime.
If you would like to contact the Prevention and Enforcement service (PES) then see below for further useful contacts:
Kieran Mylchreest Inspector Prevention and Enforcement Service – Northern Sector, Safer Peterborough Partnership 4th Floor, Bayard Place, Broadway, Peterborough, PE1 1HZ. Email [email protected].
Amanda Large Crime Reduction Officer (taking over from Carol Aston) can be reached via email [email protected] Cambs Police Website - https://www.police.uk/cambridgeshire Ecops is where updates are given for the area in which you live and can be joined by accessing the Cambs Police web site as above. Peterborough City Council General Enquiries-01733 747474 “My Peterborough” App (https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/residents/my-peterborough)
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Penny yoga
Choose Yoga
Yoga classes & 1-1’s for all ages & abilities Tues 5.45pm & 7pm + Thurs 10am
Christie Hall , Elton Road , Wansford PE8 6JS
Mon 7.45pm Kings Cliffe Memorial Hall off West St PE8 6XW Thurs 6.30pm Easton on Hill Village Hall PE9 3NN
£5 welcome price for 1st class. Pass discounts & drop in options available
[email protected] 07960267986
THE CHRISTIE HALL COMMUNITY LOTTERY
The Monthly draw has been
completed and the winners for
November are shown here.
With many thanks to,
Collette
at
The Cross Keys Inn
Elton Road
Wansford
for drawing the tickets
Mat Free, Administrator,
Tel 07881834054
£60 Mr K Parrot
£50 Mr J Tyers
£40 Mrs M Taylor
£30 Mrs S Marshall
£20 Mrs B Arbon
£10 Mr K Hobbs
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M * R * H Gardening Services
Need help with your garden?
Grass cutting — Hedge trimming — Tree clearing — Pruning
Planting — Garden rubbish removal — Fire wood for sale
Phone 01780 479125 Mobile 07920 515661
CONQUER TREE SERVICES All aspects of tree surgery covered:
Pruning Re-shaping Felling Topping Hedge trimming FREE no obligation quotation — Fully insured
Shaun Burnett (NPTC Fully Qualified Arborist) Telephone 01780 749567 Mobile 07905 317315
Lacking Confidence? Feeling Unfulfilled?
Depressed, Anxious, Stressed? Longing for Balance and Control?
I Can Help You Find It with
Hypnosis and Therapy
Call Me Now
Bernice Hardwick Tel: 01780 678565
Email: [email protected]
www.seechanges.co.uk
“It has been amazing. I had no idea what to expect, and
sometimes it was very emotional, but I can cope with every-
thing so much better now. I have finally learnt how to relax,
to look at things differently”
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The Christie Hall, Wansford £5.00/class Monday 6-7pm Wednesday 12:30–1:30pm Contact Justine (Fully qualified personal trainer and Pilates instructor) Email: [email protected] Tel:07919 106156
PILATES
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NATURE NOTES By Graham Blagden
King Harry Redcap
Now the weather is turning colder many birds seek food and shelter in our gardens and are often drawn to artificial bird feeders. Feeders are attractive to our colourful garden finches - chaffinch, siskin, redpoll and greenfinch, but the most vibrant example is the goldfinch. During the autumn goldfinches can be seen precariously balancing on the dead seed heads of many of our plants where once colourful flowers were displayed. The autumnal winds and rain have flattened such perches and the goldfinches have moved on to garden feeders, especially the clear plastic types filled with niger seed. These feeders have very small slots through which the birds can insert their uniquely narrow bills to extract the seed. I have seen up to twelve goldfinches at one time on my feeder, which is not such an unexpected sight as there is a large flock of the birds in and around the village. Although the goldfinch has a boldly marked crimson, black and white head it is the broad yellow stripes on its wings that give it its name. When flying in a flock it is easy to understand the collective name of a 'charm' of goldfinches. However its crimson face has historically led to a number of local names for the bird such as King Harry Redcap or Petaldick. Indeed Redcap is the title of a poem by our local Peasant Poet, John Clare. 'The Redcap is a painted bird And beautiful its feathers are; In early spring its voice is heard While searching thistles brown and bare; It makes a nest of mosses grey And lines it round with thistledown; Five small pale spotted eggs they lay In places never far from town.' Due to their visual beauty and delightful song goldfinches have, for centuries, been caged as domestic songbirds until a more enlightened view developed a century ago. To give an idea of the scale of the cage bird trade, and the number of birds in the countryside generally at that time, in 1860 it was alleged that 132,000 were taken in a single season near Worthing in Sussex. Indeed trapping was so prevalent that in many areas the goldfinch was all but extinct by the start of the twentieth century. Agricultural practices have also changed dramatically over a hundred years reducing the availability of crop seeds and thistledown for the birds. However life does not stand still and the introduction of niger seed-filled feeders over the last twenty years is on the way to reversing the trend. Long may the Petaldick thrive.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR [email protected]
©2016 Living Villages Magazine The contents of this magazine may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Living Villages Magazine. You may not distribute, display or copy any of the contents of the pages contained in this magazine to third parties without the prior written permission of Living Villages Magazine. All images shown in this magazine are the property of Living Villages Magazine unless otherwise accredited to another. Images may not be used without the prior writ-ten permission of Living Villages Magazine or the accredited owner. Unless otherwise specified, the authors of the literary and artistic works in the pages in this magazine have asserted their moral right pursuant to Section 77 of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of those works. If permission is sort and given, it is expected that all articles/images be accredited to either Living Villages Magazine or the author of said articles/images.
Dear Readers
It’s been a while since the last update about Victor, the hearing dog that Living Villages is supporting.
He is now nearly one year old!
There have been a few changes in his short life. His first trainer, Elin, is now on maternity leave so he has a new trainer called Aimee. They get on brilliantly, Aimee says “Victor is easy to train as he loves his food so much - he’ll do anything for a tasty chew or crunchy carrot!
Victor now lives with his volunteer puppy socialiser, called Louise. She takes him out and about for fun and games, which is helping him to develop into a well-behaved, obedient little pup.
Louise already knows Victor very well. She says, “he’s very cuddly even though he’s grown. You can still see the puppy in him - he does that wistful, head-tilted look, but try as I might, I can never get a photo of it! Maybe one day…”
His training is going very well. They use a system called Puppy Stars to test how well a pup is doing. We’re please to say that Victor’s passed his Puppy Two Star! This tells us that he can play nicely with people and pets and is good at obedience. He’ll now progress to busier environments where he’ll experience the hustle and bustle of town centres and public transport. This will all prepare him for his future role as a clever hearing dog.
So there you have Victor! He’s still a ‘hungry bundle of cuddles’, but he’s well on the way to becoming a hearing dog and transforming the life of a deaf person.
From the bottom of our hearts, from all of us at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People ….thankyou.
VICTOR
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Sat 4 Christmas Willow 1-4pm or 10-4pm
Environment Centre Stibbington
Stibbington Centre
782386
Wed 7 Friends of St Mary’s and St Andrew’s Meeting
10.30am Wansford Community Hall
Dora Baker 782446 9
Sat 10 WI Christmas Lunch Red Lion Warmington
Jan Armitage 789996 27
Sat 10 Horticultural Society AGM and Christmas Party
7.00pm Christie Hall Gill Fisher 782446 19
Sun 11 Carol Service 6.00pm St John the Baptist Church, Stibbington
Helen Facer 782932 9
Mon12 Wansford Parish Council 7.30pm Wansford Community Hall
Wendy Grey 01778
441312 24
Tues 13 WI meeting 7.15pm Wansford Community Hall
Jan Armitage 789996 27
Wed 14 Frienbds of St May’s and St Andrew’s Lunch
12.30 for Ipm
Launde Abbey Dora Baker 782446 11
Fri 16 Carol Service 6.00pm St Remigius Church, Water Newton
Tony Capon 9
Sun 18 Community Carol Service 6.00pm St Mary’s Church, Wansford
Alan Jones 5
Jan 2017
Wed 4 Friends of St Mary’s and St Andrew’s Meeting
10.30am Wansford Community Hall
Dora Baker 782446 9
Fri 6 WI 3C’s Coffee, Community and Craft
10.00am Wansford Community Hall
Jan Armitage 789996 27
Mon 9 Wansford Parish Council 7.30pm Wansford Community Hall
Wendy Grey 01778
441312 24
Tues 10 WI meeting 7.15pm Wansford Community Hall
Jan Armitage 789996 27
Wed 11 Sibson-cum-Stibbington Parish Council
7.00pm Christie Hall Wendy Grey 01778
441312 22
Mon 16 Thornhaugh Parish Council 7.00pm St Andrew’s Church, Thornhaugh
Deirdre McCumiskey
DIARY DATES – DEC 2016/JAN 2017
Copy deadline next month: Tuesday 20th December
This magazine is available online at www.livingvillagesmagazine.co.uk
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Oil and gas boiler servicing, fault diagnosis and repairs. Heating system repairs, installation and upgrades. LPG gas, fires, boilers and cookers.
8 Black Swan Spinney, Wansford Email: [email protected]
www.jc-heatingservices.co.uk
