Crowds and stalls at Peterborough’s Italian Festival, Cathedral Square — colourful, local, lively.

If last week was all about dodging thunderstorms, this week’s Peterborough forecast is basically: “pack a brolly, wear your sunnies, and keep your moan handy.” September doesn’t know what it’s doing, and frankly, neither do we.

But while the weather’s confused, the city isn’t there is a new butcher making noise in March, volunteers proving heroism doesn’t need capes, and gossip hotter than a Greggs bake left too long in the oven.

So grab a brew, dunk a biscuit, and dive in to your weekly Spotlight it's here to make you laugh, save you pennies, and keep you in the loop (without the boring bits).

Cathedral Square smells like espresso and ambition. Traders are assembling tents, dancers are rehearsing hip flicks, and Nonna is already judging your sauce. 

Peterborough in late September is peak “something’s happening”. Tell us where you’ll be first: square, stage, or sofa? Reader poll below.

This Weeks Poll

 Which weekend scene are you hitting first —

1. 1.Italian Festival (Cathedral Square)
2.  
3. 2 Theatre night, (New Theater, Key,Cresset)
4.  
5. 3.Binge Watch Netflix On The Telly”?

March Butchers (March Quality Meats)– where tradition still sizzles

There’s something reassuring about a butcher’s counter.

The clink of knives, the friendly banter, and that smell of fresh cuts that makes you wonder why you ever settled for shrink-wrapped chicken.

 That’s the scene at March Butchers, where locals swear by their sausages and the staff remember your order before you open your mouth.

It’s a shop that does things the proper way: locally sourced meats, old-school service, and prices that don’t make you faint like a Tesco till receipt.

One customer we chatted to said, “It’s not just buying meat — it’s having a laugh while you wait.”

Of course, there’s always a debate. Some say supermarkets win for convenience click, collect, and done.

But wander into March Quality Meats on a Saturday and you’ll see why people stick around: the jokes, the recipes swapped over the counter, and that smug little feeling when your Sunday roast looks and tastes — a cut above.

It’s more than chops and steaks. It’s community on a chopping board.

 And in times when town centres are battling empty shops, March Butchers is proof that some traditions are worth keeping sharp.

Nudge: What’s your go-to local treat from a proper butcher? Share it — we might just taste-test your favourite.

Which Famous Chip Shop In Market Deeping Has Been Winning Awards Since 1989?

• Deeping Stage gets quizzical – Market Deeping’s favourite pub is launching a weekly quiz night, and locals are already sharpening pencils (and excuses). Expect tricky picture rounds and at least one

•  row over capital cities.

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• Nudge: Best quiz team name you’ve heard? Send it in.

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Orton Library Refurb Reveal

Orton’s library is back in the game after its glow-up. Fresh sockets for your laptop, brighter lights for those late-night crammers, and mercifully — that comforting “old book” aroma survived the facelift.

It’s like slipping on new trainers that still smell faintly of paperbacks.

 Be honest — are you here for novels, Wi-Fi, or both?

• Thorney Heritage Museum — Last Call

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  This is your final boarding call for quirky Fenland history. Thorney Heritage Museum is open Sundays (2–5 pm) right through September before it's shutters down for winter.

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• Inside: farm tools that once counted as “hi-tech” and stories that smell faintly of linseed oil. If you haven’t been, now’s the time.

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  Got a favourite oddball museum? Tell us before the season ends.

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  Cathedral Square Street Food Sizzle

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  Forget neat eating — Cathedral Square is built for napkins and bravado. The summer Thursday market runs until late September, and it’s basically PB’s answer to Glasto, minus the mud.

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•  Expect curries, loaded fries, and food so messy you’ll need a mate to guard your dignity.

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  What’s your most chaotic street-food moment? Pics or it didn’t happen.

 The Brigade with Brass Buttons and Backbones

If you’ve ever wondered what’s more stressful than Monday on Bourges Boulevard, ask the crew at Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade.

They’re the city’s “other” firefighters unpaid, unflappable, and on call for the sort of nights the rest of us would rather not think about.

Founded in 1884, they’ve outlasted monarchs, motor trends, and half the pubs we grew up with.

Their motto? “Always Ready and Willing.” And they mean it.

These aren’t nine-to-five shifts; they’re teachers, builders, and shop staff who drop everything tea, tools, toddlers’ bedtime stories when the pager bleeps.

One minute they’re checking the score at London Road, the next they’re dragging hoses through floodwater.

A few summers back, during one of those biblical Fenland storms that turns your garden into a canal, the volunteers were out past midnight pumping basements and calming panicked residents.

One householder swore the brigade “saved more than my carpets they saved my nerves

.” Another time, they turned up at a village fete not just with the engine for kids to clamber on, but with real advice about smoke alarms and chip pans.

 Cue a queue of toddlers in helmets, and one very sheepish dad admitting he’d been meaning to check his batteries for six months.

The thing about volunteers is the double shift: training nights, community demos, fundraising events, and then the real thing alarms at 3am, fires in warehouses, crashes on the A47.

They do it because they want to. No payslip, no pension, just the buzz of teamwork and the satisfaction of being useful when it matters most.

 And in an age when it’s easy to moan about “lack of community spirit,” they’re proof that PB still has grit.

Ask them what the reward is and you’ll get shrugs, jokes about tea and biscuits, or if you’re lucky a grin about the friendships forged under pressure.

What you won’t get is bravado. That’s the thing about heroes here: they don’t strut, they show up.

So next time you hear sirens heading out of the volunteer station on Bourges Boulevard, give a thought and a silent cheer for the people inside.

They’re not just fighting fires; they’re keeping alive a 140-year-old tradition that says when Peterborough calls, we answer.

Nominate your own local hero — firefighter, neighbour, or nan. We’ll feature them next.

The Bell Inn, Stilton – the pub that gave cheese its passport

If a pub’s been around since the 1500s, you know it’s doing something right. The Bell Inn in Stilton isn’t just old  it’s legendary.

This is the spot where Stilton cheese earned its name before becoming a national treasure (and the reason half of us smell faintly of blue cheese after Christmas).

Step inside and you’re greeted with low beams, roaring fires, and the sort of menu that makes you abandon your diet faster than you can say “extra gravy.”

Their Stilton dishes are the star pies, sauces, and even a cheeky Stilton-topped burger for those who like their history with chips.

One regular told us: “It’s the kind of pub where the walls could tell stories, but they’re too busy holding up the ceiling.”

Between the food, the ale, and the atmosphere, it’s worth the trip just to say you’ve eaten cheese where cheese became famous.

Got a pub or café you think deserves the spotlight? Send it in we’ll do the taste test (for journalism, of course).

Teddy, a bouncy Labrador-cross at

 Woodgreen (Godmanchester) who thinks every person is his new best mate. Walkies? He’s at the door before you’ve found your shoes. Sofa snuggles? He’s already picked his spot. Ideal for an active family who doesn’t mind a little drool with their devotion.

{Good news for Teddy he has gone to his forever home but there are plenty of dogs looking for their's so why not give Woodgreen a call 0300 303 9333}

Over at Block Fen (Wimblington), there’s Beyonce see above, a sleek black 4 year old cat with the sass of a diva and the heart of a softie. She’s the type to glare at you while you work, then curl up on your laptop the second you get up. Queen energy, full stop.

⚠️ Adoption lists change daily — check Woodgreen and Block Fen websites for the latest line-ups of furry legends.

 Got a rescue story that makes your mates melt? Send it in — we’ll show off your superstar next week.

Woodgreen Animal Shelter

Cinema deal: At Showcase Cinema de Lux, the adult+child combo ticket is a solid saving over two separate tickets — which frees up change for popcorn (or smugness).

Greggs hack: The Greggs App is your breakfast BFF. Collect 9 stamps in one category and your 10th item is free — sausage roll, baguette, or bun, your call.

Travel trick: Split-ticketing isn’t dodgy; it’s a legit fare hack. Apps like Trainline’s SplitSave can potentially shave 20–30% off trips to Cambridge or London. Feels like beating the system without breaking it.

Co-op finds: A £1 Co-op Membership unlocks weekly app-only discounts and surprise rewards. Some weeks it’s pennies off, other weeks it’s snacks. Either way, it pays back fast.

Home hack: Bleed your radiators now. Free, easy, and it’ll stop you cranking the thermostat to sauna mode in January.

Got a hack that saves cash and makes you smug? Share it — Sally loves a good money brag.

Thinking of selling? Here’s one you might not have heard: floorplans sell houses.

Listings with clear, measured floorplans get way more clicks buyers love knowing if their sofa will actually fit, or if the box room really is just a cupboard.

One local agent told us, “People will forgive a dodgy carpet, but they won’t forgive a mystery layout.”

 A professional floorplan costs less than a fancy dinner out, but can save your home sitting unsold for weeks.

So before you argue about repainting the kitchen, make sure buyers can actually picture living there literally.

Want more no-fluff tips? Sign up for our free Home Seller Insider — property advice without the yawns.*

Health & Beauty
Forget the pricey spa days — your best stress-buster is sitting right in your kitchen. Breathing exercises and a kettle.

Here’s the trick: while you’re waiting for the kettle to boil, plant both feet on the floor, breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds, hold for 7, breathe out for 8.

Do it twice, and by the time the kettle clicks, you’ve reset your nervous system and earned that cuppa.

For the brave, swap your morning shower for a 30-second cold blast.

One reader swears it makes her feel like she’s “powered by rocket fuel  and slightly regretful.” Cheap, quick, and no crystals or serums required.

Got a beauty or health hack that’s saved your sanity? Share it — we’ll test the wildest ones (so you don’t have to).

If you’ve got kids bouncing off the walls, Sacrewell Farm near Wansford is the antidote.

 Goats, ponies, tractor rides, and enough mud to remind you why you bought those wellies.

The play barn is basically a caffeine break for parents — kids run wild, you finally drink a coffee hot.

One dad told us, “My son spent 20 minutes arguing with a sheep. I still don’t know who won.”

It’s not the cheapest day out, but bring a picnic and make it last. Plus, the kids will be so wiped out you might actually get a quiet evening. Now that’s priceless.

Got a go-to spot that tires kids out for free? Share it we’ll happily steal your secrets.*

Autumn’s basically craft season, so here’s one that’s cheap, cheerful, and looks way fancier than it is: leaf print tote bags.

All you need is a plain cotton bag (about £2), some fabric paint, and a stash of interesting leaves from the park.

Brush the paint on the leaf, press it onto the fabric, peel it off, and boom — instant woodland chic.

Kids love it because it’s messy; adults love it because it looks “Pinterest” without costing more than a latte.

One mum in Dogsthorpe told us her 6-year-old made one that “looked more like a muddy paw print — but he’s convinced it’s art, so we’re rolling with it.”

Got a craft that keeps kids quiet and looks decent on Instagram? Tell us we’ll try it out.

Laughs, Legends, and a Little Linguine

This week, Peterborough’s stages are giving Netflix a run for its money.

Friday night is a three-way problem. Do you head to the Key Theatre  for The Comedy Store (19 Sept, 8pm), where London comics test their punchlines on a Fenland crowd?

 (Spoiler: “Whittlesey” never survives.)

 Or do you boogie over to The Cresset, where Northern Live – Do I Love You brings a full live band and more Motown hits than your uncle’s wedding playlist?

And if you like your thrills darker, the Angles Theatre in Wisbech offers An Evening with Jack the Ripper (also 19 Sept), which proves Victorians loved a grim tale as much as they loved corsets.

Then, as if your Friday wasn’t overloaded already, Cathedral Square spends the weekend (20–21 Sept) dressed head to toe in tricolore for the Italian Festival.

 Expect espresso, opera, and enough pasta to carb-load half of Ferry Meadows. Yes, Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice is guest-starring, so limber up your cha-cha.

Culture this week is like a tapas board — comedy, soul, murder stories, and meatballs. The only wrong move? Staying home.

Which are you picking — punchlines, power ballads, or parmesan?

 Send us your snaps for the Culture Vultures gallery.

Weather Watch
Starting Thursday 18 Sept, our week of weather is playing it sneaky: cooler, fresher, but with genuineness that’s easier to deal with than last week’s drama.

• Thursday (18 Sept): The heavens are easing off their rain tantrum—cloudy with the odd drizzle left in the air. High of 19 °C, dipping to 11 °C at night.

• Friday to Sunday (19–21 Sept): Full-on postcard weather: sunny spells, chilled vibes, highs between 17–18 °C, and mornings around 9–10 °C—perfect for hoodies and dog walks.

• Monday to Wednesday: Forecast’s blank—maybe we’ll get a surprise upwards? Or just more cosy grey. Stock up on hot choc caps just in case.

Cheeky insight:
This week's theme? “Don’t trust the sky, but definitely trust your yoga mat.” It’s less “Avengers Assemble” weather, more “bring a jumper but still have brunch al fresco.”

DisasterChef – the host hunt
First Gregg Wallace got the chop, now John Torode’s gone too.

 MasterChef looks more like DisasterChef. Names flying around for replacements include Jamie Oliver (too busy flogging pans), Gordon Ramsay (would reduce soufflés to tears), and Nigella (nationwide fainting risk).

Our wacky bet? The Greggs head baker — at least the sausage rolls never collapse.

Strictly’s glitterball meltdown

This season hasn’t even found its rhythm and already it’s wobbling.

 Between insurance policies, spray tan scandals, and whispers of backstage rows, one insider called it a “tango of terror.” We’re just waiting for the first sequined slip to make Saturday night Twitter explode.

Olivia’s Ibiza cliffhanger

Reality star Olivia Attwood was snapped ring-free in Ibiza, partying with Pete Wicks while her new show Bad Boyfriends aired back home.

Fans quickly dubbed her “Olivia: The Missing Ring”. She says it’s “just banter” — tabloids say otherwise.

Spotlight Poll: Which scandal would you binge like a box set?

• DisasterChef: The Host Hunt

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• Strictly Tango of Terror

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• Olivia: The Missing Ring

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Got your own casting idea for MasterChef? Funniest entry gets featured here next week.

• Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing (BBC2, Sun 8pm) – Two blokes, one riverbank, endless banter. Bob moans, Paul sighs, and somehow it’s the most soothing thing on telly. Like mindfulness, but with maggots.

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• Big Brother: Celebrity Edition (ITV2, nightly) – Still the nation’s guilty pleasure. Expect someone crying over a toothbrush and another plotting world domination from the hot tub. Peak chaos viewing.

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• The Repair Shop (BBC1, Wed 8pm) – Jay Blades and the team turning broken tat into treasures. Warning: may cause unexpected tears over a stranger’s clock.

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• Taskmaster (C4, Thu 9pm) – Greg Davies back in his evil overlord chair, Alex Horne looking bewildered, celebs humiliating themselves for points. It’s school sports day for grown-ups, and we love it.

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Got a “comfort show” you’ll defend to the death? Tell us — we’ll share the best guilty pleasures next week.

You don’t need a Milan runway when you’ve got Peterborough charity rails. This week’s hot spot? Sue Ryder in Bretton, where one lucky shopper snagged a pair of barely-worn Dr. Martens for £25. That’s stomping into autumn without stomping your bank balance.

And here’s a hack: hit Peterborough City Market on a Saturday afternoon. Traders often slash prices before pack-up — one reader nabbed a brand-new faux leather jacket for £15. Bargain chic.

Fashion tip of the week?

Layer a chunky scarf over last season’s coat. Nobody cares if it’s “so 2023” when you look like you’ve just strutted out of a Pinterest board.

Found a fashion steal that made you smirk all the way home? Tell us — we’ll feature the sassiest snaps.

• Peterborough Beer Festival hits record crowds – Thousands turned up, half left wobbly. The city’s kegs are still recovering.

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• New playground opens in Orton – Swings, slides, and one roundabout that’s already making parents dizzy.

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• Glinton bus stop gets a revamp – Fresh shelter, fresh seats — still no guarantee your bus shows up.

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• Wisbech Harvest Festival returns – Apples, cider, and at least one bloke who insists on Morris dancing.

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• Cathedral rooftop tours extended – See the city from above. Warning: not ideal if you’ve just left the Beer Festival.

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• Got a headline-worthy snippet? Send it in — we’ll squeeze it into next week’s gossip scroll.

Money & Property Quick Take

Zoopla (Sept 2025) pegs Peterborough’s average home value at £245,500, down slightly on the month.

Agents say energy efficiency is the new granite worktop — EPC ratings now get buyers more excited than kitchen islands.

One city agent joked, “Forget the chandelier — tell them the loft’s insulated and you’ll have a bidding war.”

Our verdict? If you’re selling, highlight the boring-but-brilliant stuff: bills that don’t break backs. It’s the new kerb appeal.

Want sharper selling tricks? Sign up to our free  Home Seller Insider — property gossip with the fluff stripped out.

Closing Thought

That’s another week boxed up from DisasterChef drama to cider-soaked harvests, Peterborough’s proven once again that we do gossip, gigs, and gravy better than most.

Next week we’re lining up Wisbech apples, more local heroes, and an Orton café that gives the chains a run for their froth. Plus, the gossip cupboard is already rattling and trust us, it’s juicy.

Got a secret spot or scandal we should sniff out? Slide it our way — your tip could be next week’s headline.

Lindfords - Market Deeping -Award-winning: It has been consistently ranked as one of the top 10 fish and chip shops in the UK.