Shariqua Ahmed

Fire crews are expected to remain at Holme Fen nature reserve near Peterborough until mid-September after a blaze that began on 8 August burned about half the site. The fire has been contained, but underground peat remains hot and may extend five to six metres deep, requiring temperature probes, trenches and specialist forestry work to reach hotspots. Firefighters from across the country are working in difficult and hazardous conditions, with overnight operations being reduced for safety. The response has involved extensive logistical support, including accommodation and food supplied by local groups and the Rapid Relief Team.

A wildfire at Holme Fen nature reserve in Cambridgeshire has burned through about half of the 660-acre woodland site and continued for six days. Residents, including Julie Heap, say smoke is moving closer to homes and have prepared emergency bags in case evacuation becomes necessary. Fire crews face difficult access, intense heat and burning peat, with 11 appliances still at the scene and additional teams brought in from as far away as Merseyside. A helicopter is dropping water, while a Natural England contractor is clearing a route into the woods to enable safer firefighting. Crews are expected to remain at the reserve into the following week.

David Stevenson, a Peterborough man abandoned as a newborn in a London block of flats in 1960, has found his birth family after 65 years of searching. With help from police records, DNA testing, genealogical research and ITV's Long Lost Family, he identified his Dutch birth mother, Petra, who died in 2010, and reconnected with her sister and cousins in Rotterdam. Stevenson says he sympathises with his mother, whose circumstances as an unmarried woman in the 1950s and 1960s may have made caring for him difficult, while continuing to investigate his paternal family.

Peterborough City Council has approved plans to add a third fenced dog-walking paddock at Grange Farm in Wittering. The facility will include parking for up to 10 cars, operate through advance bookings with sessions for up to 10 dogs, and open during daylight hours without lighting. Parking and vehicle-turning areas must be completed before use.

At 91, Ronald Nash continues volunteering every Thursday at Peterborough City Hospital after 26 years of service. Working alongside his wife, Mary, he helps visitors navigate the hospital and offers reassurance to patients and families. Nash, a former engineer and army serviceman, says he has no plans to stop while he is able to attend. The North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust recently named him volunteer of the year, praising his compassion and commitment to creating a safe, welcoming environment.

Six barn owlets were discovered at Moor Farm near Peterborough, bringing relief after recent suspected arson attacks. The brood, the largest recorded locally in 2026, was ringed as part of ongoing conservation work led by Peterborough City Council’s barn owl recovery scheme. Conservationist Simon Dudhill noted improved breeding conditions this year, attributing the increase in owlet numbers to better food availability. Farm owner Judith Jacobs highlighted efforts to create safe hunting areas for the owls and expressed optimism following last year’s lack of chicks.

Funding from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority will allow Peterborough City Council to introduce free parking after 15:00 on weekdays at four council‑owned car parks starting 3 August. The scheme, approved unanimously by the council cabinet, will run as a trial until March 2028 and may reduce annual parking income by over £500,000. Councillors raised concerns about future funding and environmental impact, with officials noting continued investment in active travel. The CPCA’s mayor promoted the policy as a way to boost local business activity.

A temporary ban on barbecues and campfires has been introduced across Ferry Meadows in Peterborough due to heightened wildfire risk caused by heatwaves and extremely dry conditions. Nene Park Trust cites a recent grass fire and ongoing incidents as justification and plans additional enforcement measures including covering barbecue stands and increasing security patrols. Natural England has classified parts of the Midlands as at exceptional wildfire risk, while multiple regions across the UK continue to experience significant wildfires.

A couple who met during dialysis in Cambridge urged the government to improve protection for kidney patients after experiencing severe cardiovascular complications. Lee Farrington suffered two heart attacks and a triple bypass while undergoing treatment, intensifying concerns about the heightened heart risks facing kidney patients. Kidney Research UK emphasized the significant cardiovascular dangers for this group, while the government’s new strategy aims to expand testing for undiagnosed kidney disease. The charity said proper GP resourcing is essential to delivering promised improvements.

Inspectors reported substantial improvements in Cambridgeshire Police’s emergency call handling, with 92.6% of 999 calls answered within 10 seconds following a June 2026 reinspection. The force strengthened governance, enhanced performance monitoring, and reduced abandoned non‑emergency calls. While areas for further improvement remain, officials stated that plans are in place to continue progress, aiming to boost public confidence and ensure sustained response efficiency.

Cambridgeshire Police seized more than 450 e-scooters and 126 e-bikes over the past year while issuing about 180 fines as compensation for related injuries nationwide surpassed £100m. Police stressed that privately owned e-scooters cannot be legally insured and are illegal on public roads, prompting enforcement and educational efforts across local schools. Officials highlighted the distinction between legal rental trials such as the Voi scheme and illegal private use, while driving instructors voiced growing safety concerns.

A Cambridgeshire man, Ashley Hudson, received a 24‑year prison sentence for attempting to murder his ex‑partner by electrocuting and repeatedly stabbing her shortly before he was due to move out of their shared home. The court heard he had monitored her communications, installed cameras, and over‑medicated her for months. After attacking her, he forced her to clean herself before fleeing, later calling 999 and being arrested nearby. Police praised the victim’s courage, noting her role in securing the conviction and expressing hope that the sentence provides her with justice.

Murals honouring Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have been created by street artist Nathan Murdoch near Peterborough to celebrate England’s progress to the World Cup quarter-finals. Kane’s mural, completed on a barn door and already widely viewed online, has drawn positive reactions from football fans visiting the site. Murdoch plans a second mural of Bellingham ahead of England’s upcoming match against Norway. Fans expressed optimism about England’s chances, while Murdoch compared the challenge of painting the artwork to the team’s hard-fought victory over Mexico.

Farmers in Cambridgeshire are urged to take precautions as rising temperatures increase fire risks, following multiple suspected arson attacks on wheat crops. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service has responded to 16 farm fires this year and over 100 in the past two years, citing isolation, limited water access, and flammable materials as key vulnerabilities. The service fitted engines with couplings for farm water supplies and issued guidance to prevent fires, stressing the financial risks and urging residents to educate children about fire dangers during the upcoming summer holidays.

A series of suspected arson attacks damaged wheat crops at Moor Farm in Glinton, prompting the owner, Judith Jacob, to express disappointment and concern. Fires were found along footpaths and field edges and believed to be deliberately set. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service and Cambridgeshire Police are investigating. The farm is considering closing permissive footpaths to prevent further incidents, while the owner urges the community to share any information to identify those responsible.

Five new volunteer special constables joined Cambridgeshire Police, bringing the total to 66. The recruits were sworn in during a ceremony attended by senior officers, with the force noting record volunteer hours in April. Leaders praised the specials for their dedication and framed the role as both a community contribution and a pathway into full‑time policing.

A handcrafted metal butterfly sculpture has been installed outside the Women’s and Children’s Unit at Peterborough City Hospital as a memorial for families affected by baby loss. Inspired by midwife Afton Cope’s experience of losing her son Charlie in 2023, the six‑foot‑wide artwork was created with her sister Lorren, bereavement midwife Lesley Carline and artist Jeni Cairns. Featuring natural motifs such as forget‑me‑nots and birds, the memorial is intended to offer comfort and recognition to bereaved parents.

A handcrafted metal butterfly sculpture has been installed outside the Women’s and Children’s Unit at Peterborough City Hospital as a memorial for families affected by baby loss. Inspired by midwife Afton Cope, who lost her son in 2023, the artwork was created in collaboration with her sister, a bereavement midwife, and local artist Jeni Cairns. Incorporating natural motifs, the six-foot-wide sculpture aims to provide comfort and a place of reflection for bereaved parents.