YAXLEY_GAZETTE_SEPT_22

YOUR FREE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR THE YAXLEY AREA LOCAL EVENTS Facebook  www.yaxleygazette.co.uk ISSUE 160 September 2022 HAelluotumn! GOING FOR GOLD PAGE 11 GOLD MEDAL FOR NICK BRETT SNAPPY WORK PAGE 17 2022 WILDLIFE PHOTO COMPETITION YAXLEY NEWS | RECIPES | FARMING | LOCAL EVENTS | HEALTH | FITNESS | BEAUTY | CHURCH | GARDENING | ENVIORNMENT & MORE





















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goodfood RECIPES Mediterranean Fish Bake This is a great one-pan dish full of fresh flavour. Monkfish is quite pricey but the meaty flesh is delicious and SERVES 4 READY IN bakes really well, however you can 50 minutes replace it with cod loin, salmon steaks or thick pieces of haddock fillet if you prefer. Serve with a green salad and warmed ciabatta bread to mop up all the lovely herb and lemon flavoured pan juices. INGREDIENTS  Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas Mark TIP Slice each monkfish fillet and arrange with 6. Place the oil in a large non-stick roasting tin the potatoes, peppers and tomatoes on four 2 tbsp olive oil and heat in the oven for 5 minutes. Add the warmed serving plates. Spoon over the pan (choose a good quality fruity one) potatoes to the tin and toss to coat in the hot juices and serve immediately with lemon 350g small new potatoes, halved oil. Roast for 20 minutes, turning once. wedges. 1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks  Add the peppers and tomatoes to the Replace the peppers 1 green pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks roasting tin and toss to coat in the hot oil. with sliced courgettes, 225g small plum tomatoes, halved Make a space in the tin and add the monkfish chunks of celery 4 monkfish fillets (each weighing about 150g) fillets. Return the roasting tin to the oven for and baby button 50g butter, softened 10 minutes. mushrooms, if liked. Pared rind and juice from 1 small lemon, plus extra wedges to serve  Dot the butter over the fish fillets and 1 tbsp fresh chopped oregano sprinkle over the lemon rind, juice and Salt and freshly ground black pepper oregano. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and roast for a further 5-10 minutes until the fish is just cooked through and the potatoes and peppers are tender. Bargain Hunting By: A. O’Brien For example, although I appear engrossed in for a pause, a gap, a chance to I don’t need to tell you that to be debating the merits of ‘low some other items get something...anything! food prices are shooting fat’ versus ‘no fat’, I am in reality on offer. I peruse Finally, the crowd parts and I up – you know that. But I’ve waiting for ‘The Door’ to open. those little pots of can see my chance. Two tubs become a bit of an expert in It is through this door that he olives and garlic of spicy couscous, two egg supermarket saving. I’m not will come (and it’s always a ‘he’ that cost an absolute fortune; salads, a Madras curry and saying it’s easy but I think of it at my supermarket), carrying these never seem to be reduced. several cartons of fresh soup. as ª combined sport/hobby. with him a device loaded A crowd of fellow bargain hunters No scotch eggs tonight. Every evening, my local with bright yellow stickers. will now have begun to gather. I share the soup with a young supermarket reduces the price He will then start looking at the I always have to resist the urge woman who has a toddler in on those items nearing their ‘sell sell by/best before dates on the to charge forward, elbow them tow. She graciously lets me by date’. Nothing seems to be off fresh items, removing them to out of the way and shout: “Get have both pots of couscous and limits: fresh salads, lamb chops, a separate trolley for the mass back, I was here first.” I don’t I allow her two egg salads. We curries, and scotch eggs (there’s repricing. He won’t start the know what stops me really... leave the curry for someone always lots of scotch eggs – does labelling until all the necessary one day you’ll probably hear else. I spot the reduced chicken no-one eat them anymore?) items have been selected and is about it on the news: “Woman breasts in a fellow shopper’s By 6.30pm I’m in the likely to disappear back through threatens shoppers with a basket and resist the urge to supermarket, basket in hand the door if you ask: “Oh, are you French stick over a penny off.” grab them and run for the tills. and hovering. I normally loiter going to be reducing that?” Items are now scanned, I’ve already saved a fortune around the low-fat yogurts; you Now, I find it useful at this reductions made, stickers stuck ....... I think. don’t often get interrupted by stage to reposition to a more and the ‘treasure’ is put into the anyone wanting to buy one. advantageous spot. By that, I reduced item area. The crowd It’s also useful if you can appear mean a place where you can erupts into a scramble of clashing to be engrossed in something. clearly see what he is doing, baskets, grabbing hands and while still managing to appear hard elbows. I hold back: waiting Yaxley Gazette | September 2022 | T: 01733 757342 | E: [email protected] | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk 13



yaxleyhub YAXLEY PARISH COUNCIL Parish News HelenTaylor, Parish Clerk, Yaxley Parish Council TOILET FACILITIES NEW PARISH COUNCILLOR CITYFIBRE The Parish Council was asked by a resident In July we welcomed Barry Edwards to the A Full Fibre Network is currently being to review a previous decision not to provide Parish Council. Barry has lived in Yaxley for 30 rolled out in Yaxley by CityFibre. You may a public toilet on the Recreation Ground. A years and is retired after having a varied career have noticed them working around the Working Group was set up and they looked including roles in facilities management and village. Cambridgeshire County Council have at what facilities the Parish Council had and contracts management. organised this work, the Parish Council have whether they could be adapted. had no involvement. Should you have any There remains two vacancies on the Council concerns around the work please call the The Working Group agreed that the best way and if you are interested in learning more CityFibre helpline 08000836160 or contact forward would be to open a changing room about becoming a Councillor please contact them via their website. in the Pavilion for a trial period. This was put the Clerk who can provide more information. to Full Council in July and agreed. Work then You will also be put in touch with one of our We are aware that large parts of open spaces commenced on modifying the changing room, newer Councillors who will be able to talk you have been dug up and we are in discussions a new toilet was installed and walls were through their experience of joining the Council with Cambridgeshire County Council regarding moved to accommodate a baby changing unit. and how they have found the first year in the this as the Parish Council does maintain these role. The email address is [email protected]. areas on their behalf and at the moment there The toilets became operational at the uk or you can call 01733 241 958 are issues over their maintenance given the beginning of August and are available from amount of soil and other debris so please bear 9.00am to 4.00pm every day. We do ask that ALLOTMENTS with us. parents supervisor their children whilst using the facilities as there have been the occasion We will be completing our second allotment We have also raised with Cambridgeshire where the toilet roll and paper towels have inspection of the year this month. Inspections County Council a number of issues relating to ended up in the toilets. Any abuse of the toilets are carried out to make sure that plots are the reinstatement of the footpaths. Utilities could result in their closure and their use will being maintained and are not overgrown in are permitted to leave footpaths in an interim be monitored. weeds. tarmac state for up to 6 months. Trenchlines may snake to various degrees to negotiate There are additional toilets at the Amenity The village has three allotment sites; their way around obstacles/existing apparatus Centre that are disabled accessible, which Whiteheads, Yards End and Bellvue. Tenancies in the path. Where trenchlines appear wider are open during office hours. We will also are renewed on 1st February every year and this is often due to poor existing highway continue to encourage local businesses and there is currently a waiting list. Priority is given surface or where more room has been needed organisations to make their toilet facilities to residents in the village who currently don’t to work. There is a 2 year (3 year if apparatus available. have an allotment. For more information is more than 1.5m deep) guarantee period on please email [email protected] Utility reinstatements. Our office is open 9.30am – 2.30pm, Mon – Fri. Postal address: Yaxley Parish Council, 50 Main Street, Yaxley PE7 3LU Call: 01733 241 958 Email: [email protected] or for venue bookings, email: [email protected] FACEBOOK Yaxley Parish Council yaxleyparish.org.uk SALLY HOWELL - DISTRICT COUNCILLOR The work has not slowed down for me this be reported on Fix my Street, which pinpoints TIRED OF month, I have had my first two “meet the the location and informs the relevant authority councillor surgeries,” which were really successful. of the issue so that it can be sorted out. POTHOLES These will be every month on the 1st Saturday As part of my role, I have been appointed to of the month at Farcet Community library the Middle Level Commissioners as the HDC FLYYTIPPING and café at the Village Hall from 10-11 and representative, I recently attended their offices the 4th Saturday at Yaxley Library again from for a visit and went to St Germans Pumping LOOSE PAVING 10-11. Please pop along and say hello and let Station near Kings Lynn, which may sound a me know of any issues and I will take them long way away and of no benefit to us locally. DOG POOP VANDALISM back to the relevant people at the council However, the pumping station keeps the levels of and see what can be done about them. all the drainage channels across their area, which BROKEN STREET LIGHTING? Lots of people have already contacted me, so I includes Yaxley Lode and Pig Dyke on Askews am working through all the queries and chasing Lane from flooding and drying out depending on REPORT THEM TO people up for responses where required. There the time of year, weather etc. It's fully automated are some links on my website to some of the and keeps a check across the whole area, sorry THE COUNCIL WITH more regularly asked questions regarding waste, to sound geeky but I found it very interesting. .com housing, and street issues. Street issues can In the meantime, you can another project from the lovely people at contact me using [email protected]. Yaxley Gazette | September 2022 | T: 01733 757342 | E: [email protected] | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk 15

9.7 Clayburn Court care home review score carehome.co.uk *carehome.co.uk scores are based on independent reviews with a maximum score of 10. Rating correct as at 15/08/2022. Who cares if Eric likes to exercise? We do. Proudly not-for-profit Clayburn Court care home Clayburn Road, Peterborough, PE7 8LB Call 01733 592 671 Visit www.ClayburnCourt.org.uk

gazettecountryside SNAPPY WORK 2022 Wildlife Photo Competition Crawling on hands and knees to get close to bees, edging through undergrowth in pursuit of a shy species, waiting for hours for a bird of prey to hover 'just so' - the patience and endurance of keen wildlife photographers knows no bounds . . . And as a living example of these qualities this year's winner of the Wildlife Trust's 2022 Wildlife Photography Competition is David Harris, who has waited a long time to get this stunning image of a pair of banded demoiselle (a type of damselfly), doing what comes naturally at this time of year – pairing. Of winning the competition David said: \"I am delighted to have been placed first with the banded demoiselle mating pair - especially as it was the only image I entered this year. I love Winner of the Wildlife Trust's 2022 Wildlife Photography Competition being a member of the Mating Banded Demoiselle Wildlife Trust BCN and am often found on hands there are up days and down days but of animals such as foxes, kingfishers and owls. and knees at Summer getting out two or three times a week My love of macro photography seems to be Leys,Northamptonshire, helps my muscles and is therapeutic.” a bit more ‘niche’ than other forms of wildlife photography, but because insects can be found chasing bugs and other David's first love in photography is in parks and gardens, and even in your own creepie crawlies! home, raising awareness of these important capturing damselflies and dragonflies: “I creatures can only be a good thing.” love them, they are wonderful creatures Carl Everitt is in third place with a fascinating “My wife Sally thought – there are five species of damselfly at amalgam of images taken during a whirling I should let you see Summer Leys – one of my favourites is swirling starling murmuration – again at what I look like in real the hairy dragonfly. They are all so pretty Summer Leys. The resulting photo shows the life - these were taken to photograph, and often perch at a wonderful angles of flight paths taken by the at Summer Leys in my particular angle – if on a blade of grass birds in flight. Along with the top three images, usual snazzy getup with you get this wonderful angularity – I a final selection 24 will feature in the Trust's my trusty rollator walker; Competition Winner - David Harris love to find that different angle. The way to 2023 calendar, out soon. The top three winning approach them is carefully and quietly as they images will receive prizes generously supplied the camera is a Nikon D7100 and Tamron 90mm are sensitive to vibrations and changes in light; I by sponsors Canon UK, Campkins Cameras and dedicated macro lens, with home made triple often prefocus the lens as even the noise of the supporters Opticron. flash arrangement for macro at F20 and smaller).” www.wildlifebcn.org/news/2022- David needs to use a rollator walker as he camera can be enough to scare them away.” photography-competition-winners www.wildlifebcn.org/become-member has fibromyalgia – a condition which causes In second place is Peter Swan, with a close up widespread pain through the muscles and joints, macro photo of a gleaming metallic rosemary and which on some days leaves him unable to beetle, seen at Wimpole Hall. Peter said: “I am walk. He took up photography age 12 and says: pleasantly surprised to come second - there are “You have to have a very different understanding a lot of good nature photographers out there, of what you're capable of – getting around can and I’ve come across some exceptional photos be a challenge but I manage. With fibromyalgia 2nd Place - Peter Swan - Rosemary Beetle 3rd Place - Carl Everitt - Starling Murmuration Yaxley Gazette | September 2022 | T: 01733 757342 | E: [email protected] | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk 17

Here at Bright elds, we come with a vision that Chvilodaucccachreeeprtsed each of our children will be supported in becoming curious, resilient, happy and thoughtful learners! DAY NURSERY & MONTESSORI SCHOOL We are managed by the Early Years Alliance and we are committed to providing exible, ○ FREE hours pre-school education; a ordable and quality childcare; to children aged between 2 & 4 years old. , and -year-olds funded places  Spaces Available for September 2022 for children aged 2 years+ ○ Established for years  2, 3 and 4 year old funding accepted (including HMRC Extended Hours) ○ FREE Montessori education Information on fees can be found on our website  Location: Within the grounds of Farcet Primary School ○ Freshly home-cooked meals  This link is to our main Pre-school website where an enquiry form/link can Open Mon–Fri, am– pm | Call us to arrange a visit be found https://www.eyalliance.org.uk/bright elds-pre-school b Broadway, Yaxley PE NT | www.li tleacorns-daynurse y.co.uk m 01733 788222 K www.Hudson-homes.co.uk 122a Main Street Yaxley PE7 3LP 18 Yaxley Gazette | September 2022 | T: 01733 757342 | E: [email protected] | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk

younggazette New Memories To Be Made 19 STRETTON PRE SCHOOL Stretton Pre School has said a sad but proud “Goodbye” and good luck to al the children that have left Pre Schools to start at their reception schools. We look forward to welcoming our existing children and new families back, we are looking forward to making new memories and all that comes with the new academic year. We do have some space left at both the Main Street and the Fourfields setting, please enquire now to limit disappointment as the waiting list has started. Telephone 01733 746521 or email [email protected] Looking Forward to the Year Ahead HOLME C of E PRIMARY ACADEMY September is already upon us. We are so excited to be starting a fresh new year. The children of Holme C of E Primary Academy have come back from the Summer all ready for a new year of learning and adventures with their ‘small but mighty’ family. We have lots to look forward to year with trips and visitors in school, celebrations at the local church, performances this half term for Christmas and much more! As a school we are so excited to have our families back into school to celebrate success and events as this is so important to us. Reception have joined us so excited and ready to go. They are already making friends, practicing the sounds needed for early reading and exploring the continuous provision indoors and out. The Owls class were very excited to meet their new teacher when they returned and have already started the year very focused and working hard. The Sqiurrels class are really excited to get stuck into the Ancient Greeks unit of work and have already been working hard on their core areas of learning too. The Foxes class sees new house captains and vice house captains for the year. Lots of the children have taken on extra responsibility in school such as being part of the collective worship team, being sports and reading ambassadors as well as a team taken on a junior travel ambassador role to make our community as safe as possible. We are so excited about this academic year and know we are going to have so much to celebrate! Mrs King, Mrs Ferrara and the small but mighty team! Yaxley Gazette | September 2022 | T: 01733 757342 | E: [email protected] | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk

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gazettegardens A dictionary will define a weed as ‘a plant growing in the wrong place’. Ask a gardener and they’ll give you a stronger definition - they’ll tell you that weeds are often the number one menace in their garden. To stand a chance of winning, you’ll need to take a multi-pronged attack strategy. OFF WITH THEIR HEADS DEEP ROOTED PROBLEMS hoe. They’re a great way to weed your garden, especially if it’s largely annual weeds such as Whatever the weed problem, it’s essential to Some weeds such as docks and dandelions have chickweed or groundsel that invade your plot. prevent them from setting seed. Make sure you tough and chunky roots that are very difficult to Keep the hoe sharp and use it regularly. cut off its head before it has a chance to even kill. If you leave any sizeable bit of the root in the start to set seed. The old saying that ‘one year’s soil, it’s likely to form a new plant so do everything CAREFUL COMPOSTING seed is seven years’ weed’ isn’t far from the truth. you can to take out the entire root. Only compost the green, leafy bits of weeds; STOP STOWAWAYS LAYING CARPET avoid any chunky roots, and never put any flowering or seeding weeds in the compost When you’re next shopping for plants in your For large areas, try covering the surface with a heap. Some weed seeds will easily survive most local garden centre or nursery make sure that layer or two of old carpet, fluffy side down, held in domestic composting systems. you only bring home what you want, not those place with bricks. If it’s left in place for at least 18 stowaways that often lurk on the compost months, the weeds will start to die off surface. from lack of light. Make sure that the carpet is made from natural fibres, not SPAGHETTI ROOTS synthetic or else you’ll be left with it in the soil. Some weeds like couch grass, bindweed and nettles have amazingly resilient and far-reaching TIMING underground stems or roots. Don’t use a powered cultivator or rotovator as this will chop Some weeds such as the purple the roots into little bits and end up spreading flowered oxalis spread by forming and increasing the problem in the process. tiny ‘bulbils’ or miniature bulbs below ground. If you try to dig these weeds LAWN LOUTS out now, the bulbils will be shed into the surrounding soil as you lift the Lawn weeds such as dandelions and daisies are plant out. Wait until next spring when difficult to control as, unlike the taller weeds, the bulbils will be firmly attached and these rosette-forming plants won’t be harmed as weed them out then. you mow the lawn. One of the best methods is to tackle them with a sturdy old kitchen knife or HOE, HOE, HOE a daisy-grubber tool. An old fashioned and still just as useful method of weed control is the Yaxley Gazette | September 2022 | T: 01733 757342 | E: [email protected] | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk 21

gazettepets&countryside Unit 6 Malting Square, Broadway Shopping Centre, Yaxley PE7 3JJ Cosy Ca INDOOR BOARDING CATTERY Family Run Fully Licensed Mon to Sat: 10am-3.30pm Manager: Shannon Sanders T: 01733 241640 /Cosy Cat Boarding Cattery Little Bugs Is Back! Girl with bug pot –Lianne de Mello Hello September and beautiful autumn. We’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of our wintering population of stonechats bringing a splash of colour to the ditches at the Great Fen. It’s also a great time to look out for whinchat and wheatear on the Northern Loop trail. If you see any, remember to inform our Wildlife Monitoring Officer, Henry Stanier, with the location and a photo if possible. www.greatfen.org.uk/wildlife/ monitoring-research We hope you all enjoyed the Summer Sessions exploring the wonderful wildlife of the Great Fen, but with our older children now back to school, it’s time to find something for the smallest members of the family. Great news, Little Bugs is back. And your first week is free! We’re at Ramsey Heights Nature Reserve on Fridays in term time, 10.30am-12pm. Book a place for your pre-school explorers today. We are also delighted to be reopening Rothschild Bungalow at Woodwalton Fen NNR on Saturday 17th September. Victorian entomologists will be visiting at 12pm and 2pm to help you discover insects just as Rothschild would have done 100 years ago! Booking isn’t necessary but does help us estimate refreshments required. We’re celebrating the Festival of NNRs, Open Cambridge and Heritage Open Days so we think that deserves some cake and lemonade! Victorian entomologists – Mike Addis Book all our events online at www.wildlifebcn.org/events or call 01487 710420 for more information. Thank you for supporting the Wildlife Trust BCN as we work for a Wilder Future across our counties. 22 Yaxley Gazette | September 2022 | T: 01733 757342 | E: [email protected] | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk

gazettepets&countryside By Lisa Leigh Martin Fresh, organically grown produce Weeks and weeks of dry weather was industry working together to see how we all look-out for: apples, unexpected this year as we set to harvest. The might bring in the much-needed crops before blackberries, broccoli, dry periods of July and the first half of August they shelled out onto the ground! Community butternut squash, carrots, celery, courgettes, meant that most of our crops were very nearly really is important, and we hope you are doing damsons, elderberries, fennel, leeks, lettuce & ready at the same time. The race was on. Many well within yours and have all the support you salad leaves, onions, plums, potatoes, pumpkin, farmers across our region experienced the same need. runner beans, spring onions, sweetcorn, and and soon the barns were full and overflowing In September we normally turn our gaze wild mushrooms. onto the yards for many. Storage facilities were towards starting a new harvest year. Preparing rushing to sell the wheat on and find transport. the ground and sowing the next year’s crops Thank you for buying British, buying For mysterious reasons due to these turbulent actually started in August this year as we had local, buying best, and supporting times, the transport was slow going. With much an early harvest due to the constant sunshine British farmers, fishermen and food to-ing and fro-ing, we hauled our crops, and and hot weather. We also worked hard in August producers! made many phone calls to find a home for this to match farmers and teachers in our ‘Farmer much needed food. Time’ program. If you haven’t heard about it, the “Nature is so powerful, With the energy crisis looming and gas prices program provides children an opportunity to so strong. Capturing its and input prices already much higher than is regularly chat live to their matched farmer from essence is not easy - your reasonably afforded by most Brits and farmers their classrooms through FaceTime or Skype, work becomes a dance with alike, we wondered if the weather would throw discuss ideas, ask questions, share knowledge, light and the weather. another wrench into our plans. As it certainly and gain a ‘real-time’ understanding of the issues It takes you to a place is a dance! Thank-goodness for that wonderful farmers face every day. For more information or clay which makes up much of our farmland! It to register as a farmer or a teacher visit www. within yourself\". holds water longer and allows the crops to keep farmertime.org. growing while nourishing the grass when others You may have heard we launched a community - Annie Leibovitz are struggling. Throughout the record-breaking garden, supplying 15 other families with weekly heatwave in the UK, our crops managed well, veg and are excited to report we are making although we do think of those farmers whose our way to supplying food in season! Coming ground could not hold the water as well. We into season this month in the UK be on the succeeded to find a way thanks to friends in the D&A Sanders www.thestiltondogfield.com 4-acre     07919 366435 [email protected]   enclosed Petcare Specialist dog field in Stilton YOUR LOCAL PET SHOP For individual use we stock everything a pet by prior booking. would want from Chicken Located at the feed to Dog Food south end of Stilton High St., David Sanders LCGI MINSTLM VNA opposite the old Veterinary Nutrition Advisor Golf Course. (Group use by Tel: 01733 753055 arrangement). E-mail: [email protected] www.yaxleypetcare.co.uk Find us on Facebook &Instagra Unit 6 The Maltings, Broadway Shopping Centre PE7 3JJ Yaxley Gazette | September 2022 | T: 01733 757342 | E: [email protected] | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk 23