Five Peterborough stories you might have missed

A library said an influx of donations of children's books was heartwarming

A 300-year-old building and local children's services will receive an influx of government cash, while a library has welcomed the donation of over 1,000 books.

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

Grants 'breathe new life' into heritage buildings

Laurel Court, next to Peterborough Cathedral, will benefit from a fund aimed at breathing new life into neglected buildings

Six heritage buildings in the East of England are to receive almost £2m in grants for repairs through the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, including Laurel Court in Peterborough.

The Grade I listed building has been awarded £136,653 from the fund, led by Historic England and paid for by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

It comes as emergency repairs are needed to investigate severe structural deterioration that has left the building empty since April 2024.

Library praises 'heartwarming' donation of books

The Summer Reading Challenge aims to encourage children aged between four and 11 to read six books during the six-week summer holiday

An under-threat library has described the response to its book appeal as "heartwarming" after more than 1,000 were received.

In June, Woodston Library in Peterborough, alongside St Augustine's Junior School, launched a campaign to tackle the city's low literacy rates ahead of the Summer Reading Challenge, a national initiative encouraging pupils to read six books during the summer holiday.

School uniform event is a helping hand for parents

Youth MP Danielle Daboh said she hoped the event would remove the stigma surrounding the affordability of new uniforms

Dozens of parents turned up to an event offering school uniform swaps and free items ahead of the autumn term.

The event was held at Peterborough's Queensgate shopping centre and the city council said it hoped it could "help cut down on their costs... while also benefitting the environment".

Parents said it "could really help families that are struggling".

City's film office proving a hit, council says

Nene Valley Railway was used as a film set in the 1980s

A film office set up to boost the city's economy is proving to be a hit, according to the local authority.

It was founded by Peterborough City Council in January and is aimed at attracting more TV and film productions to the area.

Venues such as Central Park have been touted as potential locations for filming, with four true crime documentaries having brought in income so far.

City youth services to receive extra funding

Music lessons, youth clubs, guides and scouts will benefit from the government funding, which was announced at this music centre

Peterborough could be home to the region's first "youth zone" and has ambitions to become a "child-friendly" city, according to the local authority, which is set to receive funding under a new government initiative.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says money for young people's activities will be made available across the country, to be used for things such as youth clubs and music.

A share of the £88m is set to go to Peterborough City Council.

The week in politics

An MP has set up a safety improvement group after plans to upgrade a dangerous section of the A47 to a dual carriageway were scrapped.

North West Cambridgeshire Labour MP Sam Carling said the group, which includes parish councils, will push for average speed cameras and better infrastructure for cyclists in a bid to reduce accidents between Wansford and Sutton, near Peterborough.

Meanwhile, Peterborough City Council was accused of being "cheeky" for wanting to put new homes close to its border with Lincolnshire.

Phil Dilks, from neighbouring South Kesteven District Council, said plans to build over 1,000 homes close to The Deepings would "put more strain on infrastructure" in the county. A Peterborough council spokesperson said "the area's young people need new housing".

Finally, speeding and abandoned shopping trolleys were raised as safety issues in the Ortons.

The week in sport

25-year-old Archie Collins turned down a new deal with the Posh

Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson says midfielder Archie Collins remains available for selection despite turning down a new deal with the club.

Collins rejected a new three year contract and will now be transfer listed as he's in the final year of his current deal.

Posh lost their opening game of the season at Cardiff City 2-1.