Brad Barnes

Ok, that’s the headline out of the way!!

Confession time: I tried a couple of dishes at the launch party for Lotus, the new Indian restaurant in Peterborough city centre recently.

The Olive Branch, just off the A1 in Clipsham, Rutland, has been named one of The Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Pubs of 2025, in partnership with Timothy Taylor’s Landlord.

As someone who likes to get out and about but has become something of a lunchtime diner, I had almost forgotten what is was like to enjoy my meal and a drink in a lively atmosphere.

Imagine three of Britain’s all-time greatest television comedy heroes – Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse – in a dressing room, discussing the secret of life, death, comedy and what it means to be funny – really funny!

It’s a question I have been asked numerous times in recent years, ‘where can you go for a Chinese meal in Peterborough city centre?’

I made my contribution to National Curry Week (October 6-13) a few days early this year, with a visit to Peterborough’s 1498 The Spice Affair restaurant in Priestgate.

As the first real-life couple to star in 2:22 - A Ghost Story, at Peterborough’s New Theatre from November 24-28, Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton are relishing the chance to work together again.

A new Book Club, designed to link the world of literature with the productions gracing the stages of the Key and New Theatres in Peterborough launches next week.

Peterborough’s new post-16 college for performing arts students welcomed its first intake this week.