“Peterborough’s Weekly Gossip, The Gravy Train & Yellow Stickers”

Mornings in Peterborough right now are like a dodgy meal deal — you never know what you’re going to get.

One minute it’s brollies up, the next it’s sunnies on, and someone in Queensgate is still bravely rocking shorts.

September is strutting in like it owns the place, bringing school runs, pumpkin spice, and the faint smell of bonfire smoke (yes, already).

So settle in this week’s Spotlight has gossip hotter than a Bake Off oven, thrifty tips to make your bank card breathe again, and a business tale that proves DIY doesn’t mean Dull & Itchy.

 What’s your ultimate September vibe jumpers, denial, or just hiding in Greggs with a sausage roll?*

Art Mat Decoration — Pawel & Kasia’s apartment glow-up magic

You know that sinking feeling when you decide to “just give the lounge a lick of paint” and suddenly your house looks like a Banksy tribute act gone wrong?

That’s where Pawel and Kasia of  Art Mat Decoration step in the Peterborough duo who turn drab flats into glossy magazine spreads.

Based in the city, they’ve quietly built a reputation for being the decorators you actually want to have a cuppa with.

No sharp intakes of breath, no muttered “that’ll cost ya” just hard graft, neat lines, and a Polish work ethic that has neighbours peering in and asking: “Who did your walls?”

One happy customer told us, “They didn’t just paint the place, they gave me my flat back like moving in all over again, but without the dodgy IKEA instructions.”

Of course, there’s the eternal debate: DIY or call in the pros?

Sure, you could save a few quid doing it yourself, but then you’ll also spend three weekends crying into a dust sheet.

Pawel and Kasia prove the point sometimes it’s worth paying for the finish, the speed, and the fact your partner won’t be tutting about missed corners for the next decade.

So if you’ve been staring at that patchy wall since lockdown and thinking “next weekend,” maybe it’s time to join the grown-ups.

 What’s your worst DIY disaster? Send it in — the most tragic will win eternal sympathy (and maybe a paintbrush).*

• Whittlesey’s scarecrow invasion – Preparations are underway for the annual Scarecrow Festival (early October), with locals already crafting everything from superheroes to sitcom stars out of straw. It’s quirky, competitive, and wonderfully daft.

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  Got a scarecrow masterpiece? Send us a snap best one gets bragging rights in Spotlight.

• Peterborough Vegan Market returns – Cathedral Square will soon smell less of bacon and more of seitan (wheat meat) The official Vegan Market Co. website lists a confirmed event in Peterborough on 25 October 2025, from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM

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• Expect vegan brownies that fool even the most bacon-sarnie-loving uncle. 

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• Tried something that shocked your taste buds? We want the details.

• March town centre facelift – Work funded by the Future High Streets Fund has brought new paving and planters to Broad Street. Locals say it’s already brightening up the market area.
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• Orton’s Apple Day at the community farm – This Sunday (14 Sept) it’s apple pressing, juice tasting, and the annual competition for “best wonky apple

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• .” Spoiler: last year’s winner looked more like a potato. Nudge: Got an orchard horror story? Send it our way.

Peterborough Food Bank – the quiet hero's with the loudest impact

If you want to know what community really looks like, don’t bother scrolling Instagram.

 Just head to Peterborough Food Bank on a Wednesday morning.

You’ll see crates of beans, pasta mountains, and volunteers juggling clipboards, carrier bags, and compassion in equal measure.

The numbers are sobering: demand is up again this year, with more families relying on food parcels to get through the week.

But talk to the team you don’t hear doom and gloom instead you hear determination. One volunteer grinned: “People think we’re just handing out tins. We’re handing out breathing space.”

The food bank works with a network of referral agencies across the city, making sure parcels go to those who need them most.

 It’s all powered by donations from schools, churches, and that quiet neighbour who never misses a supermarket collection bin.

And let’s not forget the local businesses who send crates of surplus stock, that's the kind of stuff that stops cupboards looking bare.

There’s always a debate about food banks. 

Some say they’re a sticking plaster, others argue they’re proof that communities still care.

 In truth, they’re both.

What’s undeniable is the impact: kids going to school with breakfast, families managing until payday, pensioners not having to choose between heating and eating.

It’s unglamorous, it’s relentless, but it matters.

That’s why the Food Bank team aren’t just hero's they’re lifelines.

Got a few spare tins rattling around your cupboard?

Drop them in a collection bin this week it’s the easiest “hero move” you’ll ever make.*

The Apple Cart, Peterborough (Bellona Drive) — Sunday roast sorted without the commute.

Sometimes the best roasts are the ones you don’t need to Google for four hours.

On Bellona Drive, The Apple Cart has quietly carved a reputation for a Sunday roast so satisfying, it could stop a toddler meltdown in its tracks.

Think layers of melt-in-the-mouth meat, ruffled roasties, seasonal veg, and homemade Yorkshires so good they deserve their own awards shelf.

It’s the kind of place where your phone stays face-down on the table—because your full attention is on your plate.

One regular joked it’s “roast therapy for your soul.” No fuss, no frills—just roast done right.

Found a hidden gem closer to home that still hits rave reviews? Send it our way we’ll give it a Spotlight shout-out.*

Meet Bramble, a bouncy lurcher with legs built for zoomies and a sofa snuggle habit that could melt the iciest heart.

Currently with Woodgreen, Godmanchester, she’s the kind of dog who’ll happily sprint the length of Ferry Meadows then collapse like she’s run a marathon.

Ideal for an active family — preferably with a good biscuit tin.

Over at Block Fen, Wimblington, there’s Milo, a tabby tom with eyes that say “I run this house now.

” He’s affectionate, curious, and very fond of finding the warmest seat in any room (yes, even your laptop keyboard).

Since writing this weeks article Bramble and Milo have found a happy home.

There are many other animals looking for their forever home. Please contact your local animal shelter to make an initial enquiry.

⚠️ Adoption line-ups change daily, so check the rescue websites for the latest stars waiting for their forever sofas.

Got a rescue story of your own? Send us a snap we’ll happily show off your four-legged legend.*

Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice

• Yellow sticker gold rush – Orton Tesco’s reduction aisle is basically the Hunger Games at 7pm.

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• Top tip?

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• Hover like you’re “just browsing” and swoop when the staff member appears with the sticker gun.

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• Switch-off sneaky wins – Leaving your TV, toaster, and Wi-Fi box on standby adds about £50 a year to your bill.

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• Flick the switch and that’s a takeaway (or two cocktails) back in your pocket.

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• Too Good To Go app – Local Greggs and Co-ops are shifting surprise bags for a couple of quid.

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•  You don’t know if you’re getting pastries or pasta, but half the fun’s in the gamble.

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• Library loot – March Library’s just reopened, and yes, it’s still free.

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•  Grab books, audiobooks, and even DVDs instead of buying. Think of it as Netflix, but powered by cardigans and community spirit.

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• Thermostat twist – Drop your heating by just 1°C and you’ll shave around £90 a year off your bill.

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• That’s not small change — that’s Christmas shopping sorted.

Got a money-saving hack that makes you smug at the till? Share it and we’ll spread the love (and the savings).*

Here’s a secret estate agents don’t shout about: the slowest part of selling a house isn’t the viewings, it’s the paperwork.

Buyers vanish when deals drag so get your solicitor lined up before you even put your home on the market.

One Peterborough agent told us: “Half our ‘stuck’ sales are down to sellers waiting a month to instruct a lawyer.”

It’s not sexy, but it is smart.

 A solicitor who’s already got your ID, deeds, and gas safety certificate can shave weeks off the process.

That’s less “sale pending” limbo and more “sold and sipping fizz in your new lounge.”

 Want more no-nonsense tips? Sign up for our free  Home Seller Insider newsletter — we cut the jargon and keep the wins.*

Forget £40 serums with names that sound like science experiments. The easiest glow-up this month?

Sleep and water. Seriously. Swap that third coffee for a glass of water and give yourself a bedtime that isn’t “oops, midnight again.

” Your skin will thank you faster than your Amazon delivery driver.

For a local twist: Peterborough Lido might be closing soon, but a brisk swim (or even a cold shower at home) does wonders for circulation, mood, and skin.

 It’s like nature’s filter — no Insta app required.

Got a weird-but-true beauty hack (cucumber tea bags on eyes, Vaseline as highlighter)? Share it we’ll test the wildest ones for you.*

Looking for a day out that doesn’t end with you weeping at the receipt?

 Ferry Meadows has you covered.

The adventure playground is still the best free babysitter in town, there are ducks to feed (yep, they still prefer peas to bread), and the mini railway is basically every toddler’s idea of heaven.

Pro tip from one mum we overheard: “Bring spare trousers. For the kids and yourself. Those swings are lethal.”

Pack snacks, promise ice cream, and let them run off enough steam that bedtime happens without bargaining. That’s what we call parenting goals.

Got a favourite no-cost family hack in Peterborough? Tell us — we’ll steal it (and credit you, promise).*

Got a couple of jam jars skulking in the cupboard?

Don’t chuck ’em turn them into autumn lanterns.

A bit of tissue paper, Pritt Stick, and a tealight (real or battery) and suddenly you’ve got cosy glow without the IKEA price tag.

Kids love it because it’s basically legal mess-making.

Parents love it because it keeps little hands busy long enough to drink a hot brew. And when they proudly line them up in the window? Instant neighbour envy.

One dad in Werrington told us: “Ours looked less Pinterest and more ‘crime scene chic’ — but the kids were thrilled, so who cares?”

 Got a craft that saves your sanity on rainy weekends? Share it we’ll spread the inspiration (and the glitter).*

This week’s cultural calendar is like a buffet a bit of everything, and someone will definitely overdo it on the cider.

This week, forget that small violin—how about a Bowie one instead?

 Live tribute band David Live brings Bowie by Candlelight to

 Peterborough Cathedral on Fri 19 Sept, 7:30 pm. Think Starman in the candlelit nave and goosebumps for days. One fan said, “Even the gargoyles will lean in closer.”

Over in Wisbech,your in for a Friday fright this week—“An Evening with Jack the Ripper” takes the stage at Angles Theatre in Wisbech on 19 Sept, 7:30 pm.

Rave On – The Ultimate 50s & 60s Experience (New Theatre, Sat 13 Sept, 7:30pm)

The New Theatre is turning back the clock to jukebox days.

Expect leather jackets, Brylcreem, and a live band blasting the best of Buddy Holly, Elvis, and The Beatles.

Audience participation isn’t optional — you’ll be on your feet before the second verse.

Emma Kenny: Killer Couples (The Cresset, Fri 12 Sept, 8pm)

TV psychologist Emma Kenny swaps the sofa for the stage, diving into the darkest love stories gone wrong.

 It’s true crime with a twisted romantic streak gripping, unsettling, and somehow still laugh-out-loud in moments.

Date night material? Only if you’ve got a sense of humour.

Key Nights – Scratch Night for Local Creatives (Key Theatre, Thu 11 Sept)

Peterborough’s freshest talent takes the stage with brand-new ideas, sketches, and short performances.

It’s part showcase, part experiment, and part “what on earth did I just watch?”

 Cheap tickets, big laughs, and bragging rights if one of these acts makes it big.

Think fog, gaslight, and a theatre so historic even the walls lean in. Ideal for fans of spine-tingling tales (and dramatic flair).

Peterborough’s week ahead looks like autumn’s rehearsal — a bit of drama, a bit of sparkle, and plenty of breeze.

• Thu 11 Sept: Cloudy, windy, and a cheeky chance of afternoon showers or even a rumble of thunder. Highs around 19°C, lows 10°C.

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• Fri 12 Sept: Breezy with sunny breaks. High 19°C, low 9°C.

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• Sat 13 Sept: Partly sunny, with the odd shower gate-crashing the afternoon. High 18°C, low 11°C.

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• Sun 14 Sept: Sunny spells with local showers. High 18°C, low 10°C.

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• Mon 15 Sept: Sunshine, cloud, and the odd shower. High 19°C, low 10°C.

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• Tue 16 Sept: Sunshine with a few fluffy clouds. High 19°C, low 10°C.

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• Wed 17 Sept: More cloud rolling in, a touch cooler. High 17°C, low 9°C.

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Weather wisdom: Thursday’s one for the brollies, the weekend’s for layers and wellies, and Tuesday looks like the picnic winner (if you trust September, which frankly… don’t).

Nicknames in politics are like dodgy tattoos they stick, whether you want them to or not. And this week, the tabloids handed us a fresh classic:

 “Three Pads Rayner.” After her stamp duty scandal, Angela Rayner’s now sharing headline space with some of politics’ most infamous monikers.

Remember John Prescott? He wasn’t just “Two Jags” (for his love of Jaguars). After that famous egg-throwing bust-up in 2001, he became “Two Jabs” too.

One egg, one punch, a thousand headlines. Iconic.

Then there’s Keir Starmer, who’s been quietly branded “Two-Tier Keir” accused of being all double standards, no double cream.

Hardly the nickname you want on a campaign poster.

And closer to home, Peterborough’s very own Paul Bristow has been dubbed “Mr Photo-Op.” Spot a ribbon that needs cutting?

He’s already holding the scissors, grinning for the front page.

So here’s our Spotlight poll:

👉 If you had to keep one and bin one, who’s your pick?

• Three Pads Rayner

• Two Jags / Two Jabs Prescott

• Two-Tier Keir

• Mr Photo-Op Bristow

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Send us your vote and your best made-up political nickname. Funniest one gets splashed here next week.

• The Great British Bake Off (C4, Tue 9pm) – Biscuit week. Expect gingerbread houses collapsing like bad politics and Paul Hollywood handing out handshakes like he’s stingier than your nan with the good biscuits.

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• Strictly Come Dancing (BBC1, Sat 7pm) – Sequins, sambas, and at least one celeb who looks like they’ve been forced into glitter witness protection. Early bets on who’ll trip over their partner first?

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• Countryfile (BBC1, Sun 6pm) – Harvest edition. Fenland fields on telly always look prettier than when you’re actually stuck behind a tractor at 7am.

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• Ambulance (BBC1, Thu 9pm) – Following NHS crews across the East. Hard-hitting, heart-squeezing, and proof that “blue lights” are more than just a Peterborough Friday night out.

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 Got a guilty-pleasure watch you wouldn’t admit to your mates?

Tell us. We’ll admit ours if you do.

Forget fast fashion this week’s star buy was spotted at the British Heart Foundation shop in Bridge Street: a barely-worn Zara trench for £15.

That’s high-street chic at charity-shop prices. One shopper told us, “I walked out feeling like Sherlock Holmes, but with change left for a coffee.”

And here’s a hack: Pick up a charity shop scarf you'll find a few around in every pattern imaginable for under a tenner. 

Throw one over that charity-shop coat and suddenly you’re strutf ting through Queensgate like it’s Paris Fashion Week (but with Greggs in hand).

Found a bargain that made you feel like royalty on a Primark budget?

Tell us we’ll feature the best bragging rights.*

Roots & Rise powers up Queensgate (Sept 2025)

No, not a juice bar a brand-new hub mixing sport, art, and mentoring opened in Queensgate this month.

Launch day even had Posh stars wandering about, proving footballers can do more than selfies and penalties.

One volunteer said, “It’s the first time a shopping trip felt like a workout and a pep talk rolled into one.”

‘Treasured’ pop-up sparkles at Queensgate (Sept 2025)

Craft fair darlings have gone permanent opening their new pop-up shop in Queensgate this month.

Expect terrariums, trinkets, and biscuits you’ll hide from your flatmate. Perfect proof that handmade really does beat mass-made.

Rituals: slow luxury lands in Peterborough (opened 3 Sept 2025)

The new Rituals store opened last week, filling Queensgate with candles, bath oils, and scents so lush you’ll want to live in their tester bottles.

Forget mindfulness apps — your bathroom just got its own zen guru.

Key Theatre update (as of 16 Sept 2025)

The main stage is still out of action while repairs drag on but don’t write it off.

The Key’s smaller spaces are buzzing with workshops, open mics, and community nights. Proof you can close a stage but not kill a theatre.

Got a shop opening or event worth a cheeky Spotlight?

Tip us off and we’ll turn it into next week’s Buzz.

Money & Property Quick Take

According to Rightmove (Aug 2025), Peterborough’s average asking price sits at £247,000 holding steady while the rest of the East is wobbling.

Agents say Hampton and Paston are the hotspots, mostly because buyers love a driveway more than a dining room right now.

Our two pence? Forget granite worktops slap in a new boiler or insulate the loft.

Buyers these days want bills that don’t make them cry more than fancy tiles.

Want the full lowdown? Sign up for our free  Home Seller Insider — jargon-free, gossip-heavy property tips.*

And that’s Peterborough wrapped for the week — from “Three Pads Rayner” to yellow-sticker raids, it’s been a rollercoaster of bargains, gossip, and gravy.

September’s only just getting warmed up, and so are we.

Next week, we’ve got Wisbech apples, Thorney volunteers, and an Orton café that’ll make you forget Costa exists.

Stick with us the stories are ripening nicely.

Got a hot tip, scandal, or secret spot? Whisper it our way — you might see it splashed here next Friday.*