Five stories you might have missed in Peterborough

22 hours ago

Joanna TaylorCambridgeshire

News image — "The Lights Man" David Woolridge revealed his annual fundraising total after welcoming hundreds of visitors to his Christmas display

Sue Ryder David, a man, with short white hair, wearing a burgundy jumper and grey trousers, holding a large, white cheque in his hand. — "The Lights Man" David Woolridge revealed his annual fundraising total after welcoming hundreds of visitors to his Christmas display

A campaign to make allergy policies mandatory in all schools took a step forward, while Peterborough City Council unveiled a bid to make Peterborough UK's city of culture.

Here's five stories from Peterborough you might have missed this week.

Step forward in law to protect kids with allergies

Family handout A young boy with dark blond hair with a fringe across his forehead is leaning forward on to a table from a wicker chair and smiling at the camera. He is wearing a white and black polo shirt. On the table is a glass of orange juice and some colourful building blocks that an adult is setting up. — Benedict Blythe died after having an anaphylactic reaction at Barnack Primary School in Stamford, Lincolnshire

The family of a five-year-old boy who died from a severe allergic reaction at school said they were one step forward in getting a new law implemented to help keep children safe.

Benedict Blythe died after accidental exposure to an allergen - cow's milk protein - at Barnack Primary School, between Stamford and Peterborough, in December 2021.

His mother, Helen Blythe, said she hoped the introduction of Benedict's Law would make allergy safety policies for all schools in England mandatory.

At the House of Lords on Tuesday, the government confirmed that it would consult on and publish new mandatory statutory guidance for schools on how to manage conditions and allergies.

City of Culture bid will boost tourism, says MP

Peterborough City Council An illustrated picture of the back of Walter Cornelius wearing yellow, black and orange-coloured wings with a skull and crossbones in the middle. He is flying in the sky, which has a golden sunset. "Peterborough 2029" is written in the sky in white. — A promotional image reflects Peterborough-based Walter Cornelius's attempt at flying across the River Nene using handmade wings

Peterborough's bid to become UK City of Culture 2029 could provide a significant boost to tourism and the local economy, according to Labour MP Andrew Pakes.

Peterborough City Council confirmed it would submit an Expression of Interest to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, formally entering the national competition. Arts groups have also welcomed the bid.

Mental health podcast hopes to beat stigma

CPSL Mind Members of the CPSL podcast team - a woman in a blue blouse, a man in a grey jumper and navy trousers, a man in a black hoodie and blue jeans and a man in a black jumper and black trousers - sitting on grey sofas on either side of the room with microphones in front of them. — The Side by Side podcast offers the opportunity to have conversations about mental health and wellbeing at a level local

A mental health charity is producing a new local podcast that aims to reduce stigma and support wellbeing.

The first Side By Side podcast is part of Time to Talk Day - a national campaign that encourages open conversations about mental health.

The podcast, created by Cambridgeshire, Peterborough & South Lincolnshire Mind in partnership with the Citizen Hub in St Neots, hopes to provide a platform for discussions about mental health, with the first episode focusing on men.

Views sought on regenerating city centre

Shariqua Ahmed/BBC Peterborough's Cathedral Square, including buildings with historical architecture and members of the public walking around. — Peterborough City Council has launched a six-week Shaping Our City consultation

Peterborough's residents, visitors and businesses have been asked to help shape plans to transform the city centre over the next 20 years.

The Peterborough Visioning Project aims to create a "truly inclusive city centre" that attracts "residents, visitors and new businesses to invest", the Peterborough City Council said.

A six-week public engagement programme has been launched with an online survey and a series of pop-up events in schools, local businesses and community spaces, to obtain feedback and suggestions.

'Lights man' raises £6,000 with Christmas display

Sue Ryder David, a man, wearing a red Christmas jumper and blue jeans, standing in front of his Christmas display with lights and inflatable snowman and nutcrackers and a merry Christmas sign lit up in multi-colours. — David Woolridge spent four weeks getting his display ready

A grandfather from Peterborough has raised more than £6,000 for bereavement and palliative care charity Sue Ryder with his latest Christmas lights display.

David Woolridge, 63, transformed his home in Longthorpe into a festive attraction, welcoming hundreds of visitors and asking for donations.

Known locally as "the lights man", Woolridge spent £1,500 and four weeks creating the display, which featured 47 real Christmas trees, dozens of inflatable Santas, and a golden tunnel of lights.

The week in politics

Peterborough City Council announced that the future of discharge support services at Peterborough City Hospital will be made next week. The authority's cabinet members will meet to decide whether to approve a new contract with The British Red Cross Society to continue operating the service.

Meanwhile, there were renewed calls for the council to install public toilets in the city centre. Raja Sabeel Ahmed, a Conservative councillor on Peterborough City Council, said he has had "overwhelming" appeals from constituents asking for loos to be updated in the city.

A consultation on four options to reorganise councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is now open and will close on 25 March.

The week in sport

Peterborough United suffered a fourth defeat in six matches as they were beaten 3-2 by Huddersfield Town. Luke Williams dropped Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Matthew Garbett and found themselves 2-0 down early in the second half. They have dropped to 12th in League One.

Peterborough Sports saw their run of wins come to an end against AFC Fylde in the National League North. The Turbines lost 5-2 and sit 19th in the table.

Peterborough United Women continued their unbeaten record in the Division One Midlands with a 6-0 win over Lincoln United.

Peterborough Phantoms remain fourth in the National Ice Hockey League after sharing the spoils with Sheffield Steeldogs. Phantoms lost 6-1 at Sheffield before beating Slava Koulikov's side 7-4 at the Bretton rink.

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