Live Like a Local in Ab Kettleby near Melton Mowbray or Helpston in Cambridgeshire
Leaving friends and family behind and relocating to a completely new area can, without a doubt, be daunting. You may be moving from a close-knit community where you are always part of what’s going on to somewhere where you know no-one and nothing about the area.
Moving into a new village and integrating yourself into local life can take time, but here are a few ideas to help speed up that process.
Research Local Websites
Many villages now have their own websites, which include everything from what’s going on locally and what sports clubs there are to useful numbers and recommendations for local trades people.
Towngate Developments currently has executive family homes for sale in Ab Kettleby near Melton Mowbray and Helpston, near Stamford, in Cambridgeshire. Both villages have local websites and community Facebook pages that are a valuable source of information:
Visit the Local Pub
Local village pubs are always worth a visit and can be a perfect way to get to meet other villagers and to find out what’s going on. The local pubs to both current Towngate Developments are no exception:
The Bluebell at Helpston even says on its own website; “More than just a pub … we have an old-fashioned belief that a pub should have a social heart and be flowing with drinks and great food, served by people who care.”
The Bluebell Inn is a charming, traditional village pub full of character – the ideal spot for a leisurely drink or a superb meal with family and friends.
Equally charming, with a 4.5-star TripAdvisor rating, the Sugar Loaf at Ab Kettleby offers drinks and homemade food alongside a friendly welcome.
Meet Your Local Vicar
Make a point of introducing yourself to your local vicar who should always have a welcoming smile.
At Helpston, the beautiful St Botolph’s has weekly services and events. And they are always after new choir members.
If you fancy campanology, then the Ab Kettleby Bells based at St James’s Church are worth a ring!
Get Involved in School Activities
If you have young children you’ll probably get to know other parents at the school gates. However, if you don’t do the school run as often as you would like, you can still get involved in school life by joining or supporting the PTA, by going along to school fetes or Christmas Fayres or by getting involved in a fundraising activity.
The Ab Kettleby Primary School has its own Twitter and Facebook pages so there’s no excuse not to know what’s going on.
The John Clare Primary School, at Helpston is the same and also has a pre-school with its own website, the Helpston Playhouse.
Man’s Best Friend
Whether you’ve got a dog or not, walking can be a useful way to meet other local people and other local dog owners!
With stunning countryside around both Helpston and Ab Kettleby there are walks (or runs) to suit every age and ability, from circular country-based walks to strolls into the local towns of Stamford and Melton Mowbray:
And Finally…Buy Local
If you can support local shops, local farmers, local garden centres and local tradespeople then do so. By showing your support for enterprises on your doorstep you are showing your ongoing commitment to the village and its people.
To see a selection of Towngate’s current developments, go to https://www.towngatedevelopments.co.uk/developments/