Five Peterborough stories you might have missed

10 hours ago

News image — Hilary Steele (middle) was named Peterborough's new poet laureate

Emily Steele/Toby Wood Three finalists, with Hilary Steele in the middle, smile and hold their prizes. Hilary is holding a jug. The second and third-placed poets, both women, are holding envelopes. — Hilary Steele (middle) was named Peterborough's new poet laureate

Swimmers welcomed the news that Peterborough's historic lido will open early to celebrate its 90th anniversary, and a giant art installation arrived at the city's cathedral.

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

Disgust over racist graffiti at football club

Darren Foster A man wearing a black jacket and trousers and white trainers. Standing next to him is a woman with a black jacket, black trousers and black trainers. They are standing in front of a white wall with coloured paint on it. — Darren Foster and Kerry Cassidy have told of their anger at the incident

Officials at Peterborough Lions FC spoke of their disgust after offensive graffiti was found on the pavilion and soap dispensers following a match in Bretton.

Chairman Darren Foster, who is also involved in the Roots and Rise hub at the city's Queensgate Shopping Centre, said he felt "hurt and disgusted" by the incident but said it was "not going to deter me from trying to bring football to the community".

Swimmers 'thrilled' as lido to reopen early

Keely Mills said she has been counting the days until her first swim at the Peterborough Lido

Swimmers expressed delight that Peterborough's art deco lido will open two months earlier than expected to mark the outdoor pool's 90th anniversary.

Clare Marshall, from Friends of Peterborough Lido, said the group was "absolutely thrilled" to be able to swim at the heated facility from 28 March.

Peterborough landmarks awarded £75,000 for protection

John Clare Cottage A white cottage with a thatched roof is behind a fence in the background. In front is a small garden with different types of flowers and a small tree which is on the left. — The nature poet John Clare was born at the cottage in Helpston in 1793

Two landmarks near Peterborough were awarded £75,000 in grant funding from Historic England.

John Clare Cottage in Helpston, the birthplace of the nature poet, received £22,500 to fund investigative works on the Grade II listed building.

A further £52,500 was awarded for the acquisition of additional land at Norman Cross, a historic prisoner-of-war depot in Yaxley.

New poet laureate 'proud' to represent the city

Emily Steele/Toby Wood Hilary Steele, who has glasses and tied-back blond hair, looks at the camera and smiles. She is holding up a cream-coloured jug with a decorative red pattern on it. — Hilary Steele, seen holding her prize, said she was looking forward to promoting Peterborough's arts scene and the city's heritage

Meanwhile, Hilary Steele, who works at the John Clare Cottage, was named Peterborough's new poet laureate.

She said she was "overjoyed and proud" to have won the opportunity to write poems marking events and occasions in the city and would supports its bid to be named the UK's city of culture.

Giant Sun installation to light up cathedral

PA Media A big sphere illuminated from within in yellow, suspended inside a cathedral with three people standing in front of it in silhouette. — The artwork is named after Helios, the Greek god of the Sun, and has been touring the country

A giant illuminated Sun installation by artist Luke Jerram arrived at Peterborough Cathedral.

Named after the Greek god of the Sun, "Helios" is suspended from the cathedral ceiling and measures seven metres in diameter.

Internally lit, it offers visitors an insight into the surface of our star in striking detail and is free to visit.

The week in politics

Peterborough City Council Andrew O'Neil looking into camera in the council chamber. He has short white hair and is wearing a grey suit, white shirt and blue tie. — Andrew O'Neil won the by election by 36 votes

Reform gained its first councillor at Peterborough City Council following a by-election in Fletton and Woodston, triggered by the death of Labour's Nick Thulbourn in December.

Andrew O'Neil won for Reform UK with 565 votes, 36 ahead of the Green Party candidate. Labour, which remains the largest party on the council, were pushed down into fourth behind the Conservatives.

Meanwhile, the council agreed to sell the site of the Bharat Hindu Samaj Temple in the city's New England Complex to an undisclosed bidder. Worshippers said they were "heartbroken" to potentially face eviction after unsuccessfully bidding for ownership.

Community gardeners welcomed the news that The Green Backyard on London Road could be spared from development after the council acknowledged opposition to the plan.

The week in sport

Getty Images Kyrell Lisbie cheering and running across the pitch at the Weston Homes Stadium in Peterborough. Behind him are disappointed Wigan players in a mauve away kit. — Winger Kyrell Lisbie hit his first EFL hat-trick as Posh beat Wigan 6-1

Peterborough United secured back to back wins in League One with victories over Wigan and Mansfield. Posh thumped Wigan 6-1 with Kyrell Lisbie getting a hat trick. They beat Mansfield 2-1 on Tuesday evening. Luke Williams' side are now five points off the playoff places.

Peterborough Sports are five points clear of the National League North relegation zone after drawing with Buxton. Sports have risen up the table having lost just once in their past six matches.

Peterborough United Women moved back to the top of the Division One Midlands after a 1-0 win over Sutton Coldfield Town. They are one point clear with two games in hand.

Peterborough Phantoms made it three games unbeaten in the National Ice Hockey League with wins against Basingstoke Bison and Leeds Knights. Phantoms remain 4th in the standings.

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