Phoebe Brooks takes a look back on the year where we have celebrated the community, shared your stories and kept you up to date with the latest news every step of the way.
Take a look at some of the biggest and best stories from 2023.
JANUARY
Hire or Buy Group and Rotary Club of St Neots St Mary's combined generosity meant that two brand new generators, worth over £1,600, were sent to Ukraine to support families.
The Rotary Club of St Neots St Mary's raised money to purchase a generator and Hire or Buy Group matched the gift and donated another generator free of charge.
Lianne Simpson from Huntingdon celebrated three years of Diamond Hampers, a ‘crazy idea’ that flourished into an award-winning organisation.
Diamond Hampers helps vulnerable people and those experiencing financial hardship by supplying them with a hamper filled with week's worth of food.
Over three years, Lianne and her team have helped members of the community by delivering over 400,000 meals.
A group of 12 teenagers from Cambridge Regional College and Hinchingbrooke School befriended elderly people with dementia at Hunters down Care Home through the ‘YOPEY’ scheme.
Actor Warwick Davis tweeted his support and backed an online campaign to save Great Gidding Church of England School, near Sawtry, from being closed due to declining pupil numbers.
Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) awarded £1,500 to allow for 46 warm spaces across Huntingdonshire. The community chest grants, awarded to places like St Peter’s Church in King Ripton, allow them to pay for heating and offer warm refreshments.
FEBRUARY
David Smith, who was the oldest person living in Cambridgeshire at 106-years-old, passed away.
He was remembered as a “much loved” “local celebrity” as his friends, family and members of the community of Fenstanton paid their respects.
Pans were at the ready for Huntington's annual Pancake Day Flipathon. People gathered together in the town centre for the famous ‘Chain Gang’ race and awarding of the inaugural golden frying pan.
The Lord Protector pub in Huntingdon finally reopened its doors after a long-awaited revamp. Following investment worth over £200,000, Steve Cook and partner Michelle Johnson are pledging top-class hospitality from the family run venue.
Ambiance Cafè a family run venue by the Riverside Park, St Neots donated profits to help those impacted by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Anil Timur, who runs the cafe, set up a community fundraiser which he hopes can build a shelter and offer vital support.
MARCH
Tributes were paid for Edward “Eddie” Page, a much-loved bingo caller who entertained villagers for over 20 years. Eddie is honoured with a framed photograph in the community hall, and The Bingo Club will continue to run the village on Friday evenings in Eddie’s memory.
The Chaii Hub finally opened its doors in Cambridge Street, St Neots. Owners Sunny and Preeti Mann serve traditional Indian recipes and offer a space for customers to relax and socialise.
Drag Queen sensation Mark Briggs, known as Felicity Flappes, delighted residents of Field Lodge care home in St. Ives.
Residents enjoyed rainbow-themed cocktails, bingo, and a singalong to popular show tunes to commemorated LGBT+ History Month.
Huntington residents were horrified by some furry visitors. An infestation of rats became an issue when residents noticed they had begun nesting on Castle Hill Lane Path, just off the High Street. Huntingdonshire District Council confirmed rat activity in November 2022 yet the issue was ongoing.
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