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Peterborough Cathedral Crisis Campaign Achieves £300,000 Success

Cathedral is celebrating a remarkable milestone

CambsNews by CambsNews
10:35am, March 31 2025
in News
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire -

Businesses, Councillors, MPs and Community leaders attended the Cathedral Appeal. Peterborough Cathedral appeals for cash before easter, Cathedral, Peterborough Monday 13 January 2025. Picture by Terry Harris.

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Peterborough Cathedral is celebrating a remarkable milestone, having exceeded its £300,000 fundraising target as part of the Peterborough Cathedral Crisis Campaign. This success was made possible by the generosity of over 1,000 individual donors, with a significant anonymous donation helping push the total beyond the goal.

News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire -
Pictured The Very Revd Chris Dalliston Dean of Peterborough Cathedral appeals to business, MP and Councillors for cash and help.
Peterborough Cathedral appeals for cash before easter,
Cathedral, Peterborough
Monday 13 January 2025.
Picture by Terry Harris.

This incredible support ensures that the Cathedral can remain open and continue its vital work within the community. Additionally, the funds raised will allow the Cathedral to begin essential projects aimed at securing its long-term future.

News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire -
Pictured The Very Revd Chris Dalliston Dean of Peterborough Cathedral appeals to business, MP and Councillors for cash and help.
Peterborough Cathedral appeals for cash before easter,
Cathedral, Peterborough
Monday 13 January 2025.
Picture by Terry Harris.

The Very Reverend Chris Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough, expressed his gratitude, saying:

“We’re hugely delighted (and relieved) to have achieved and exceeded our £300,000 target. We are also truly humbled by the depth and breadth of support from over a thousand generous individual donors and other groups and institutions, within the city and beyond, who have helped us achieve this goal and ensure that the doors of our Cathedral will remain open to all. Every gift, however great or small, is so greatly appreciated.

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News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire -
FILE PHOTOS.
Peterborough Cathedral appeals for cash before easter,
Cathedral, Peterborough
Saturday 26 October 2024.
Picture by Terry Harris.

However, we are in no way complacent. This is only the first step in building a long-term sustainable future for the Cathedral. We continue to operate on fine margins in a challenging financial environment, and over the coming year we shall need to continue to work hard to strengthen our network of supporters and develop additional sources of revenue to ensure we remain a vibrant community, serving our city, our diocese, and the wider region.”

The campaign has been met with overwhelming support from individuals, businesses, and institutions alike, reaffirming the Cathedral’s role as a cherished landmark and community hub.

News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire -
Pictured Speakers L2R Council Leader Dennis Jones, Peterborough Mayor Marco Cereste, MP Andrew Pakes, The Very Revd Chris Dalliston, Combined Mayor Nik Johnson, MP Sam Carling and Chinese Community Rep. Faustina Yang.
Peterborough Cathedral appeals for cash before easter,
Cathedral, Peterborough
Monday 13 January 2025.
Picture by Terry Harris.

While this milestone is cause for celebration, the Cathedral remains focused on ensuring its long-term sustainability and is committed to continuing its fundraising efforts in the months ahead. Should you wish to donate, you can do so directly from the cathedral’s website: Home – Peterborough Cathedral

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As the report states, “East Cambridgeshire is well-positioned to lead by example, showing how local leadership, when empowered, can drive sustainable transformation.” All information and quotes sourced from the East Cambridgeshire District Council’s July 2025 report, “A network of local reservoirs: Providing water resilience and security to unlock growth in the region.” Here are the key benefits of agricultural reservoirs, as outlined in the East Cambridgeshire District Council report: • Fast delivery: Can be designed, approved, and built within three years. • Cost-effective: £4–£5 per cubic metre of water, compared to £40 per cubic metre for large-scale reservoirs. • Flexible and scalable: Can be expanded incrementally to match local housing and employment growth. • Environmental benefits: Supports peatland rewetting, wetland restoration, and biodiversity; reduces carbon emissions by using gravity-fed systems. • Improved drought and flood resilience: Stores surplus winter water for use in dry months and reduces flood risk by easing pressure on drainage systems. • Economic boost: Provides extra income for farmers and Internal Drainage Boards through water trading; supports local agricultural productivity. • Unlocks housing and development: Ensures a reliable water supply, enabling new homes and jobs. • Local control and innovation: Empowers local authorities, farmers, and landowners to manage water resources and encourages innovative, place-based solutions. ‘East Cambridgeshire is ready to lead. This report is our call to action, for government, regulators, and partners across the region to join us in turning a local solution into a national exemplar’ Cllr Anna Bailey Leader, East Cambridgeshire District Council

East Cambridgeshire Council’s reservoir plan promises homes, jobs, and environmental gains

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A pressing challenge Water security is not a distant concern for East Cambridgeshire. “It is a present and pressing issue that directly affects our ability to grow sustainably and provide the homes, jobs, and environment our communities deserve,” writes Cllr Anna Bailey, Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, in the report’s foreword. The proposal to create a local network of reservoirs is described as “a transformative opportunity” that could turn flood risk into a vital resource by capturing surplus winter flows and storing water for use during dry summer months. This approach, the report argues, would not only reduce pressure on drainage systems during heavy rainfall but also ensure a steady supply for homes, businesses, and agriculture when it is most needed. “It creates opportunities to restore wetlands, rewet peat soils, and enhance habitats for wildlife, making our water system part of a wider effort to recover biodiversity,” the report states. Climate risks and economic stakes East Cambridgeshire, situated within the South Level of the Fens—the UK’s largest coastal wetland—is highly exposed to climate-related risks. Rising sea levels, more frequent heavy rainfall, higher temperatures, and prolonged droughts threaten the region. The Fens have already experienced damaging events, including the tidal surge of 2013 and the drought of 2018. In 2022, a hot, dry summer caused water shortages. The report notes that “with adequate supply of water, the hotter weather will make the region’s agricultural sector more productive, representing an economic opportunity.” However, uncertainty over long-term water supply is creating a bottleneck for housing and inward investment, with major developments stalled due to concerns over water scarcity. The national and regional water challenge The East of England is one of the most water-stressed areas in the UK. Over-extraction from chalk aquifers and river systems threatens both ecosystems and long-term public supply. The region faces a projected water shortage of 800 million litres per day by 2050—about one third of current use. Yet, as the report points out, “the problem is not a lack of water,” but rather the capacity to store it and the ability of existing systems to respond dynamically to growth. Three major rivers—the Nene, the Ouse, and the Cam—deliver substantial excess water during the winter months. “Significant efforts have to be made in the region to pump excess water out into the North Sea, at great cost to Fenland farmers and taxpayers, only then to restrict water supplies for all users during the summer,” the report explains. The limits of centralised infrastructure While major infrastructure projects are in development, such as the proposed new reservoir near Chatteris, these solutions are years away. The Chatteris reservoir, led by Anglian Water, is projected to cost £2.2 billion and may not be completed before 2036. In the meantime, constrained supply is already halting or delaying new housing developments in Cambridgeshire. The report criticises the current regulatory system, which is “centred on 5 year price review periods,” for stifling innovation and leaving little room for place-based solutions. “Without reform, the system will continue to act as a brake on regional development,” it warns. A local solution: agricultural reservoirs The heart of the report’s proposal is a network of agricultural reservoirs, supported by local farmers and landowners, to supply incremental water demand until major infrastructure is delivered. There are already over 80 agricultural reservoirs across the district, with just seven farmers holding 5.4 million cubic metres of water in 24 mid-sized reservoirs—equivalent to 10% of the planned capacity at Chatteris. [ A recent technical study suggests that seven new mid-sized agricultural reservoirs could store 6 to 7 million cubic metres of water and could be built in under three years at a cost of £2–3 million each. The report highlights the cost-effectiveness: “A network of agricultural reservoirs would cost £4 to £5 per cubic metre of water compared with £40 per cubic metre from Chatteris.” Each reservoir, at 85% utilisation, could provide water for 7,000 people a year. Combined with demand reduction measures and interim supply from Grafham Water, this could meet projected housing growth over the next 15 years. Creating a local water market The development of agricultural reservoirs would also create a new “water market,” stimulating trade in water between farmers and into the local supply network. This would provide additional income for farmers and Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs), helping to stimulate the wider East Cambridgeshire economy. The report calls for public-private finance arrangements to share costs, risks, and rewards. A new water treatment works at Waterbeach is identified as a key component, with estimated costs ranging from £40 million to over £200 million, depending on scale. The report notes, “This is still a relatively small sum in the context of sustaining the continued growth of Greater Cambridge.” Reforming regulation and governance The report is critical of the current regulatory framework, which it describes as fragmented and siloed. It calls for “a system that is more accountable, transparent, and responsive to place-based needs,” including legislative changes to empower IDBs and give local authorities a stronger voice in water planning. A new Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Water and Growth Board is proposed to coordinate water infrastructure planning and delivery, bringing together water companies, regulators, local authorities, and community representatives. Conclusion: a call to action The report concludes that “the water crisis facing the East of England is not only a constraint but an opportunity.” By piloting new models of local water management, East Cambridgeshire can accelerate delivery and enhance sustainability. The council commits to supporting the development of agricultural reservoirs as part of its corporate strategy to address water scarcity and unlock growth. The recommendations are clear: continue to promote sustainable water management, support the development of agricultural reservoirs, work with regional partners to fund feasibility studies, and promote this model as a national pilot. For government, the report urges piloting water market reform, amending legislation to empower IDBs, and expanding the statutory role of local authorities in strategic water planning. As the report states, “East Cambridgeshire is well-positioned to lead by example, showing how local leadership, when empowered, can drive sustainable transformation.” All information and quotes sourced from the East Cambridgeshire District Council’s July 2025 report, “A network of local reservoirs: Providing water resilience and security to unlock growth in the region.” Here are the key benefits of agricultural reservoirs, as outlined in the East Cambridgeshire District Council report: • Fast delivery: Can be designed, approved, and built within three years. • Cost-effective: £4–£5 per cubic metre of water, compared to £40 per cubic metre for large-scale reservoirs. • Flexible and scalable: Can be expanded incrementally to match local housing and employment growth. • Environmental benefits: Supports peatland rewetting, wetland restoration, and biodiversity; reduces carbon emissions by using gravity-fed systems. • Improved drought and flood resilience: Stores surplus winter water for use in dry months and reduces flood risk by easing pressure on drainage systems. • Economic boost: Provides extra income for farmers and Internal Drainage Boards through water trading; supports local agricultural productivity. • Unlocks housing and development: Ensures a reliable water supply, enabling new homes and jobs. • Local control and innovation: Empowers local authorities, farmers, and landowners to manage water resources and encourages innovative, place-based solutions. ‘East Cambridgeshire is ready to lead. This report is our call to action, for government, regulators, and partners across the region to join us in turning a local solution into a national exemplar’ Cllr Anna Bailey Leader, East Cambridgeshire District Council

East Cambridgeshire Council’s reservoir plan promises homes, jobs, and environmental gains

November 6, 2025

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News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Knowles: The worker was loading sugar beet for transport when the conveyor became blocked. Attempting to clear the obstruction by climbing the side of the machinery, the employee fell and sustained multiple broken ribs, a punctured lung, and liver damage.
News

Cambridgeshire logistics firm fined £133,000 after worker plunges from conveyor

November 3, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - A man who fraudulently claimed to be homeless to secure Council housing - while renting his privately owned property for financial gain – appeared in court to hear the outcome of an investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
News

Raymond Brown must repay South Cambridgeshire District Council after housing scam

November 3, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Scene at Huntingdon station last night
News

Peterborough man charged after Cambridgeshire train attack

November 3, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Whittlesey’s Manor Leisure Centre is set to undergo a multi-million-pound redevelopment, with the spotlight on costs, financial sustainability, and the addition of a commercial kitchen and café—a feature designed to make the centre a true hub for the community.
Fenland District Council

Transformation of Manor Leisure Centre Whittlesey could cost nearly £19m

November 3, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - 1. Hundreds of Peterborough children find safety and hope as homelessness falls
Peterborough City Council

Fewer families in temporary housing as Peterborough tackles homelessness

November 3, 2025
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