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Kev Lawrence: on entertainment in Peterborough
Last week I expressed my disappointment in Peterborough, and its lack of an arena for decent entertainment.
Last week I expressed my disappointment in Peterborough, and its lack of an arena for decent entertainment.To see a show like the Britain's Got Talent live tour, I had to go to Sheffield. This I found frustrating, given the promise we have all had about our city's imminent massive re-generation. Peterborough's "big night out" options are more town-like than city-like.
I also questioned our city council's policy/support for ambition and growth in this field. My doubts remain that budget setters have this subject very high on their agenda.
But rather than be negative, I wanted to share three reasons to be cheerful this week, which hopefully reflect a more positive tone.
First up, the East of England Show. Close on 100,000 people headed to the showground to enjoy three days of celebrating farming and the countryside, rural life and the environment, and my favourite part – locally sourced produce and British food. As a family day out, I can't think of too much else locally that's this good. Where else can you watch a display of hunting dogs in action, see a sheep get sheared, bump into David Hasselhoff while eating lunch, and have an argument with a cadet over where to park?
I was also nudged by more than one person that the new exec Peterborough exhibition centre is ideally equipped to host big concerts. This also made me wonder if the promoters of shows such as the X Factor live tour show have been alerted to its existence.
My second reason to be cheerful is . . . DOGSTHORPE.
I had the pleasure last night of hosting the annual meeting for the Greater Dogsthorpe Partnership, a body tasked with facilitating a project to help improve the lives of people living in the area.
The effort that so many people have put into this is incredible. It is now a safer place to live and work with much less crime. There is more to do for young people, and as I learned it's all about empowering the local residents to work together themselves for the good of the area in which they live.
And last on my list is the launch of the Peterborough Festival this past weekend, which was absolutely superb. A packed Mayor's Parade breezed through the city, (my little lad marched proudly with his new Cub group and loved every second), before an eclectic mix of afternoon/evening live entertainment that appealed to thousands of city people. A competition was organised called Peterborough's Youth's Got Talent, with 10 finalists doing battle in front of a near hysterical crowd. Giving these youngsters the chance to perform on a massive stage like this was brilliant – the organisers deserve great credit.
Only trouble is, if any of the 10 acts get to be really famous, and go on a UK tour, we might have to drive all the way to Sheffield to see them perform!
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Weather for Peterborough
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: West
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