In This Week’s Spotlight |
A man tried to fly across the Nene. That’s where we’re starting.
Peterborough’s Birdman, Walter Cornelius, leads this week’s Spotlight and we’d like to hear from anyone who remembers him.
We’ve also found free history outings, film music at the Cathedral and two smaller breakfasts to compare before your next walk at Ferry Meadows.
Closer to home, Suzanne’s feature asks who gets a rental repair sorted when the landlord is stuck at work.
There’s help with a dog that pulls, hair that won’t behave and evenings when the only conversation is about the housework.
And a question for you:which Peterborough shop would you hate to lose. |
A Latvian refugee, swimming teacher and charity performer became one of Peterborough's most memorable local characters.
Walter Cornelius worked at the Lido and became known for strength performances and a homemade-wing charity stunt at the Nene.
His story remains part of Peterborough's local history.
Read More... |
What's On- Four Dates To Put In Your Diary |
A free walk through the story of Norman Cross
Sunday 13 September, 2pm–3pm · Norman Cross, London Road, PE7 3TB · Free, booking essential · Ages 12+
Discover the site of the Napoleonic prisoner-of-war depot on a guided walk with Nene Park’s volunteers. It’s an hour outdoors with a story you might otherwise drive straight past.
There are only 20 places. Expect uneven ground and long grass; there are no public toilets on site.
Luther Vandross songs in the Cathedral Thursday 17 September, 7.30pm · Peterborough Cathedral · Paid tickets; see booking page for current seat prices
A vocalist and live band perform a tribute to Luther Vandross by candlelight, with songs including Never Too Much and Dance with My Father. A Thursday evening option for anyone who would rather hear a band than scroll through another night of television. Doors open at 6.30pm, with last entry at 7.15pm.
See Concert Tickets For Luther Vandross In The Cathedral
Go beneath Peterborough Museum—for free Saturday 19 September · Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery, Priestgate · Free
The Museum’s Heritage Open Days programme includes short Priestgate Vaults tours, introducing the cellars and characters from the building’s past.
Tours run at intervals from 10am to noon and from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, with just 15 places per tour.
Above ground, the garden opens from 11am–3pm. Between 10am and 2pm, you can also meet the museum archaeologist and discover what ancient rubbish reveals about life at Must Farm.
Hear your favourite film music played live Saturday 19 September, 7pm or 9.15pm · Peterborough Cathedral · Tickets from £24.50, booking fees apply
More than 70 musicians and singers are advertised for this 70-minute concert featuring music by Hans Zimmer, John Williams and others.
The programme includes themes from films such as Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter and Star Wars, although the selection may change. Pick the early or late performance when booking
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Nene Valley Railway preserves and runs historic trains. Check the service on your date, because the train ride is the main attraction.
The railway may suit families who enjoy trains and a slower outing. Confirm departure times, fares, access, weather arrangements and the type of train before booking a visit. Read More... |
A wet patch beneath the kitchen sink is nobody’s idea of a good start to the day. For a tenant, it means worrying about their home; for a landlord, it means finding someone who can help while they’re busy elsewhere. Through an imagined story about Katie and Carla, we look at how a letting agent with a reliable maintenance team can get a repair organised, keep everyone informed and help prevent further damage. Featuring our partner Suzanne at Y-US Lettings & Maintenance. Read More... |
You’ve reported the repair. What happens next? |
Knowing someone has received your message is a start.
You also want to know who is coming, how access will be arranged and who to contact if the problem gets worse.
Landlords: what would you like explained about arranging and approving repairs?
Tenants: what do you wish was clearer when you report one?
Send us your question for Suzanne at Y-US Lettings & Maintenance. Please leave out addresses and other people’s personal details. |
 Click The Image To Sign Up For Taste Trail |
Cooking, a ready meal and a takeaway solve different problems. Count every portion, extra and delivery charge.
The comparison puts home cooking below selected ready meals and takeaways on ingredient price.
Portions, cupboard extras, energy, delivery and convenience change the full calculation. Read More... |
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Breakfast Before The Walk Or After? |
If you’re heading to Ferry Meadows and fancy breakfast, two cafés have smaller options for under £8 on their published menus.
Ferry Meadows Café: smaller breakfast, £7.50
Sausage, bacon, egg, hash brown, beans and toast. Vegetarian and vegan versions are also listed.
Lakeside Kitchen & Bar: small breakfast, £7.95
Bacon, sausage, egg, hash brown, beans and toasted sourdough. Its website lists weekend breakfast service from 8.30am to 11.30am
For two people, that’s £15 or £15.90 for the food. Allow separately for drinks and any parking.
Check the current menu before setting off.
Would you eat first or make yourself finish the walk before breakfast? |
What earns a Peterborough shop a personal recommendation?
We look at price, service and the reasons people return, then invite readers to nominate a shop based on their own experience. Read More... |
Who’s Taking Whom For A Walk? |
You’ve barely left the house and your dog is already pulling towards the next lamp-post.
Try a little practice somewhere less distracting before expecting a calm walk along a busy path.
Start at home or in the garden, rewarding your dog for standing beside you.
Then take a few steps and reward them for staying near.
Raimonda advises stopping when the lead becomes tight and moving again when it loosens.
Don’t jerk the lead or tell the dog off. Keep practice short and build up gradually.
If walks are difficult, tell our partner Raimonda at Smarter Paws what happens: pulling all the way, rushing towards dogs or losing interest in you as soon as you leave home.
That gives her a clearer starting point for advice suited to your dog. |
BONUS FOR ALL DOG OWNERS
Sign up for the FREE prelaunch of Smarter Paws Hub - The New Digital Dog Training Hub With Raimonda By Pressing The Button Below |
September gardening advice for Peterborough readers, covering flowering pots, spring bulbs, lawn repairs and plants that can stay standing for wildlife. Five things to try in your garden this September, with advice for beginners and small spaces Read More... |
If your hair feels rougher and harder to manage after summer, getting ready now takes longer than you’d like.
As colder weather approaches, it’s a good time to check the habits that could be adding to the problem.
These five tips cover washing, conditioning, detangling and styling, with advice for different hair types and no complicated shopping list. Read More... |
Which Job Would You Happily Hand Over? |
You can have someone take care of one of these for the next month:
A. The garden.
Which are you choosing?
Reply with your letter—and the job that finally made you decide. |
Your internet contract may cost more after the deal ends. Compare the full contract and the service available at your address.
Read the end-of-contract notice, compare the total price and ask what happens if you move or leave early.
Faster service is worth paying for only if your household needs it. Read More... |
You know what needs buying and when the car’s due its MOT.
But when did you last have a conversation you both enjoyed?
Through an imagined evening with Emma and Ben, we look at how everyday jobs can fill your time together and suggest a few ways to get talking again, without an expensive night out or a speech about your relationship. Read More... |
AN EVENING TOGETHER - Pick The Day Before You Pick The Restaurant |
If you’ve been saying “we should go out” for weeks, try agreeing a day and a budget first.
Then each suggest one thing you’d actually enjoy.
It could be breakfast, a walk, a film or cooking something together at home.
If one person normally makes every booking and checks every menu, let the other organise this one.
What was the last inexpensive thing you did together that you’d happily do again?
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A look at Peterborough-born journalist Fatima Manji’s school days, early broadcasting career and work reporting on events in Britain and abroad.
Before Channel 4 News, there was Jack Hunt School and BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
Meet the Peterborough woman behind a familiar television face. Read More... |
Bed poverty means not having a suitable bed or bedding. Here are the local support routes families can ask about.
Describe the child's sleeping situation clearly and ask the council or school about current help.
Furniture support depends on eligibility and availability; urgent safety or housing concerns need separate attention.
Read More... |
It’s one of Peterborough’s most familiar buildings, but how much do you know about the Guildhall? Its open ground floor once accommodated market trading, while upstairs became a meeting place for the council. Discover why it was built, what to look for when you next cross Cathedral Square and how it served the city long before today’s Town Hall opened. Read More... |
What Do You Remember That We Should Write Down? |
A shop that’s gone. A character everybody knew. Your first job in town. A night out people still talk about.
Walter Cornelius and the Guildhall feature in this edition, but there are plenty more Peterborough stories in readers’ memories.
Send us one of yours. A name, an approximate year and what happened will help us start checking it. If you have a photograph you own and would be happy for us to publish, tell us about that too. |
Could Your Business Be Part Of Spotlight? |
Suzanne helps readers understand lettings. Raimonda is our dog-training partner.
We’d like to hear from other local businesses with something readers would enjoy discovering or understanding.
Tell us what you do and the questions customers ask you most.
We can discuss an expert feature, a reader offer or a paid partnership. |
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That’s Your Spotlight For This Week |
Have we persuaded you to book an outing, try somewhere for breakfast or ask about that repair you’ve been waiting on?
We’d also love to hear your Walter Cornelius memories and the name of a Peterborough shop you’d hate to lose.
Hit reply we can’t discover every good story without you.
Thank you to Suzanne at Y-US Lettings & Maintenance and Raimonda at Smarter Paws for being part of Spotlight.
If you know someone who’d enjoy this edition, forward it to them.
And if they sent it to you, come and join us.
See you next week.
The Spotlight Team |
Peterborough Spotlight is a free, independent newsletter bringing clarity, context and stories from across the county, property, money, local business, families, homes and everyday life.
We work with a small number of trusted local partners each month whose expertise helps our readers live, work and move more confidently from mortgage specialists and financial advisers to home services, health, family and community experts.
To talk partnerships or share a story:
Now Published Every Week — Designed For People Who Live And Think Locally. It’s Your Peterborough Spotlight. |