Hairdressers, cafes, takeaways, motor mechanics, boarding kennels for cats and dogs, pet groomers, electricals, building services – the list of experts is endless.
One local business, Lee Decorators, namely Chris Lee, gave up his time free of charge to paint the inside of the ladies and gents toilets at one of Littleport’s popular establishments, the Ex-Servicemen’s Club in Ponts Hill.
Chair of their Committee Adi Keating thanked Chris and his helper Daz Swindell, one of the Club’s Committee members, for the brilliant work they did brightening up their conveniences which even got a deep clean while they were at it.
Chris Lee said he wanted to do it because he “loves the place” and wanted to “support the local community”, and despite these really difficult times Lee Decorators are now fully booked over Christmas covering places all over the Cambridgeshire area. (Facebook Lee Decorators)
Now another highly professional decorating business, William James Decorating, was rather camera shy when I spotted him in the Waitrose carpark concerned that he wasn’t dressed for a photo as he had paint splattered clothes on.
“Well you are a decorator aren’t you,” I said as I took his picture regardless!
William James takes pride in every job he does and like Lee Decorators, he often downloads his new work onto his website and his Facebook page. (Look for William James Decorating)
“I’m proud to have had the opportunity to work on some really lovely projects this year.
“I’ll be posting some pictures of spraying soon and will be taking on more furniture work in the future! Thank you for the support of my clients past and new, and the great tradesmen I’ve also worked with this past year,” commented William James who continued,
“I made the escape to the country about 8 years ago and quickly fell in love with East Anglia and my new life in Littleport. It’s a great place to bring up my children and we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. We’ve met so many wonderful people while working and living here!
I cover all areas surrounding Ely, doing mostly domestic interior and exterior decorating. I sometimes work on new build homes, schools and commercial properties further afield. Most of my work is within the local community though and that’s what I really enjoy. It’s a privilege to be invited into someone’s home and be given the sole responsibility of decorating it and making it beautiful!”
And of course we can’t forget our very own Mr Enkay Flooring himself, Nigel Keith Jacklin, who admitted that although he had had to temporarily close his showroom because of the government’s lockdown restrictions, it has been and will be business as usual for the rest of the winter.
Meanwhile, Nigel is buzzing around in his van busying himself with the high demand of carpeting and laminate flooring which certainly keeps him out of mischief. (Enkay Flooring on Facebook)
“Despite these difficult times, we are still in demand and having been inundated with work reaching areas from Haddenham, Cottenham and Little Downham to name but a few,” said Nigel, who truly is a tradesperson with a smile and like Chris Lee, William James and Jamie McLatchie continues to provide an excellent service.
Now here’s a little personal story! Another advertiser who went beyond the call of duty while Lyn and myself were struggling with no outside tv signal, Jamie McLatchie of McLatchie Electrical had to twice visit our home in order to sort a really puzzling problem.
Suitably masked up and social distanced, Jamie could not fathom how we were not getting terrestrial tv, and that there must be a problem with the splitter in the loft which had been previously installed.
Jamie had ordered a box and dutifully returned with the box and an apprentice in tow, and for a good hour or two with many trips up the loft, and the bedroom to check the second tv and aerial socket, as he eventually picked up the outside aerial where it was on the floor near the window where it enters the house, in the living room, and took the two metal bits apart – he found that the connection had somehow been sheared off hence no signal. (McLatchie Electrical Ltd on Facebook.)
The problem being finally solved – we blamed the dogs – Jamie and his young apprentice couldn’t have done more for these sports tv addicts ensuring that they could still continue to enjoy an overindulgence of their favourite tv programmes which has kept them sane ever since during the Covid19 pandemic.
We truly have to thank all our local trades people who really do put themselves out for the Littleport community.