Five Peterborough stories you might have missed

Chef Mina Tank is one of thousands of Hindus in Peterborough anxiously awaiting a decision on the future of their temple

A charity launched anti-misogyny classes in schools, while approval of 1,500 homes on a former showground was revoked.

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

Charity launches anti-misogyny classes in schools

Mandy Geraghty, from Peterborough Women's Aid, said the charity wanted to show young people what a "healthy relationship looks like"

A charity said it has begun giving anti-misogyny talks in schools to help teach students how to recognise toxic behaviour in relationships.

Peterborough Women's Aid, which works with victims of domestic violence, said it has been invited into schools in Cambridgeshire to help counter misogynistic posts on social media.

It comes as the government says it is committed to doing more to tackle negative attitudes - and cut violence towards women and girls by a half within a decade.

Showground home plans refused over legal agreement

Plans to build 1,500 homes on the East of England Showground have stalled

Plans to build 1,500 homes on a former showground site have been refused after the owner asked for "fundamental changes" to a legal agreement.

The proposals for the East of England Showground in Peterborough, which include a hotel, primary school and care village, have previously been approved subject to conditions.

Hindu community reacts to temple site sale plan

Ashish Pathak and Meera Mavani volunteer at the Hindu temple, close to Lincoln Road in Peterborough

A complex containing a Hindu temple that caters for nearly 14,000 people in the region could be sold by Peterborough City Council as part of efforts to reduce debts by selling off assets.

Worshippers at the Bharat Hindu Samaj have been fundraising for a number of years to buy the site outright, but now face an anxious wait to see whether their bid has been successful, after it was put on the open market for community use. Members say it has been an "emotional" and "overwhelming" process.

Mohammed Jamil, cabinet member for finance at Labour-led Peterborough City Council, said the authority was "actively working with the community" to ensure it remained in the city, whether at the same site or another.

Community-driven arts group welcomes funding

The restoration of the Millfield mural was one the projects commissioned by Peterborough Presents

An arts organisation has welcomed £800,000 of funding that will support its community-driven projects and local artists.

Peterborough Presents works with neighbourhoods across the city to develop creative activities and events. The money has been provided by Arts Council England's £42m Creative People and Places (CPPs) portfolio, which supports grassroots art in underrepresented areas.

Hundreds fill city centre with 'Diwali joy'

Organisers say the event was the best attended since the 2020 pandemic

More than 1,000 people helped fill a city centre with "Diwali joy" as they came together to celebrate a festival of light.

The Peterborough Diwali Festival was held at Cathedral Square and featured music, food, dancing, light and laughter, in what organisers said was the busiest event since the 2020 pandemic.

The week in politics

Parish council chairman Gerry Kirt says that Glinton would welcome some new homes, but not 355

Villagers in Glinton raised concerns about becoming "swamped" with overdevelopment. It was earmarked for 455 homes in Peterborough City Council's draft local plan, with nearly 800 extra homes under separate schemes also in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, a proposal to block the sale of the unfinished Hilton hotel at Fletton Quays failed. Peterborough City Council borrowed £15m from the government to loan to developers for the project in 2017.

The council's leader, Shabina Qayyum, said the authority will not fund a new hydrotherapy pool but there are "interested parties" and "options on the table". It permanently shut down its previous provision, St George's community hydrotheraphy pool, in 2022.

In planning news, permission was granted for The Cherry Tree pub on Oundle Road, Woodston, to be converted into a care home. Separately, The Dog in a Doublet, in Thorney, will become a family home. Both were sitting empty.

An extension to the private Fitzwilliam Hospital in South Bretton was approved and a decision on an 8,500-plot cemetery in Sutton delayed.

The week in sport

Archie Collins of Peterborough United closes down Dylan Williams of Burton Albion

Peterborough United got back to winning ways in League One with a 1-0 win over Burton Albion.

Archie Collins got the goal for Posh, who had Tom Lees sent off late on.

Darren Ferguson's side are now in 23rd place in the table.

Peterborough Sports suffered late heartbreak as they lost 2-1 at home against Buxton.

The Turbines conceded in the 96th minute and are now bottom of the National League North.

Peterborough Phantoms beat Solway Sharks having lost to leaders Swindon Wildcats last weekend.

Ashley Tait's side remain fourth in the National League North.