Peterborough round-up: World champion gymnast returns home, rail hero wakes, ancient log boats on display and more

Here are the Peterborough stories you might have missed

Gymnastics gold returns home

Jake Jarman, a Peterborough-born gymnast, was greeted by his home club after winning gold in the men's floor final at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta. He visited Huntingdon Gymnastics Club for the first time since the victory and said, "To be home with a medal around my neck — and it is a gold medal as well — it means the world to me and I am incredibly proud." Jarman says he will now focus on training for the European Championships next year.

Rail worker who intervened in attack wakes in hospital

Samir Zitouni, a 48-year-old catering crew member on the Doncaster to London King's Cross service, has briefly woken in hospital and spoken with his wife. He was among those who helped passengers when an attacker struck the 18:25 GMT LNER service as it passed through Cambridgeshire on 1 November. British Transport Police described his actions as "nothing short of heroic." A GoFundMe set up with the family's agreement reported the encouraging update. Eleven people were treated for injuries after the incident.

Family burger shed reopens after suspected arson

Higgsy's, a family-run burger shed at Norman Cross in Yaxley, has reopened after a suspected arson attack on 30 September left the premises "completely gutted," according to owner Adam Miller. Local businesses and customers rallied to raise about £8,000 to help rebuild. Miller and partner Amber Higgs described the community response as "fantastic."

Bronze and Iron Age log boats go on public display

Rare Bronze and Iron Age log boats recovered from the Must Farm site near Whittlesey (discovered between 2011 and 2012) have been conserved and placed on permanent display at Flag Fen Archaeology Park. Three of the nine excavated vessels form the centrepiece of the new exhibition. Jacqueline Mooney, Flag Fen's general manager, said, "This is our heritage — this is what our ancestors were doing 3,000 years ago."

More than 330 e-scooters seized across the region

Cambridgeshire Police say officers have seized over 330 e-scooters across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough since January. PC AJ Boddington, the force's casualty reduction officer, reminded the public that "e-scooters are classed as motor vehicles and those riding them need to have a driving licence and insurance when using them on public roads and in public spaces." He warned that e-scooters used in public spaces can be confiscated.

City council finances and transport plans under pressure

Peterborough City Council now expects a larger budget overspend than previously forecast after planned savings were not achieved as quickly as expected. The unfinished Hilton Hotel is estimated to need £14m to complete; in 2017 the council borrowed £15m from central government to lend to the hotel's developers, who later went bust in 2023. The roll-out of bus franchising — where the local authority sets routes and fares — has been delayed by a year. Councillors were told the original plan assumed an increase in the mayoral council tax precept, but the new Conservative mayor, Paul Bristow, pledged in May to freeze the precept.

Sport roundup

• EFL Trophy holders Peterborough United will travel to Swindon Town in the last 32. The Posh beat Crawley 2-1 thanks to a 94th-minute winner from Donay O'Brien-Brady; manager Luke Williams has won his first three games in charge.
• Peterborough Sports lost 1-0 at Spennymoor Town — their 10th league defeat, leaving them second bottom of National League North.
• Peterborough United Women extended their winning run to eight from eight with a 2-0 win over Leafield Athletic in Division 1 Midlands.
• Peterborough Phantoms suffered back-to-back National Ice Hockey League defeats to Sheffield Steeldogs and Milton Keynes Lightning and sit sixth in the table.

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