Discovering March issue 134, November 2024 by Discovering Magazines

Welcome to your November issue...

Once we’re into “Strictly season” you can guarantee that those long, hot summer days will have almost disappeared from our memories, to be replaced by cold, wet days and a gloomy look on people’s faces. Now, more than ever, is the time to cosy up in front of the fire and share our thoughts of Christmas, round the corner, and the spring and summer to come.

With Bonfire Night upon us, early this month, please remember to look out for our pets but also to see how our neighbours are coping, not just with the fireworks, but with the cold, wintery days ahead. Good neighbourliness costs nothing but can mean so much to the elderly who may be struggling on their own.

Finally, a shout out to my lovely husband Chris who has managed to put up with me with a smile on his face, as we celebrate our fifteenth wedding anniversary xx Claire x

Milestones seem to come thick and fast at this time of year. The end of British Summer Time and Hallowe’en in October are swiftly followed in November by Guy Fawkes Night and Remembrance Day.

Bonfire Night is particularly close to my heart as it falls on my birthday... November 5th – a special day that coincidentally is shared with my son. When I was a boy, it was a massive event, not just because of the prospect of receiving presents but because it was invariably celebrated with a firework party at home, something that has largely faded away because of the high cost and the dangers of injury leading to people nowadays mainly attending organised events. I have fond memories of celebrating my birthday and especially for some reason looking for the expired fireworks the following day – you made your own fun in bygone times! Now, however I’m at an age where I don’t really want to be reminded of another year passing by....

Discovering Magazines, PO Box 164, Bourne PE10 1ET

Publisher and Sales Claire Saberton: 01778 421427 | 07837 499061 | sales@discoveringmagazines.co.uk

Sales Paula Kirtland: 07903 776211 | marketing.discoveringmagazines@gmail.com

Sales Sallyanne Davis: 07737 026594 | sal@discoveringmagazines.co.uk

Editor Andy Hurst: editor.march@discoveringmagazines.co.uk

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Accounts Sarah Brooks: 07564 966452 | accounts@discoveringmagazines.co.uk

Design Sarah Gumbley | Andy Beavis | Graham Copestake | Richard Hallam

With thanks to Deadline details

Copy deadline for the December issue is Friday, 8th November 2024.

Discovering March is published by a local team and is not associated with any other business. Care is taken to ensure that the content and information is correct at the time of going to press; however, we cannot take any responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by any errors. Permission must be granted to reproduce, copy or scan anything from this publication. For a copy of our contributors’ guidelines please email info@discoveringmagazines.co.uk.

Jennifer Lawler, Eileen Le Voi, Peter Wright, Joan Munns, Trevor Langley, Diamond Byte, Vine Law, March Podiatry, Steve Barclay MP and Lin Stanton.

If you haven’t already carried out your winter digging, this needs doing before the frosts set in, but not when it is very wet.

Firstly, make sure that you dig up the weeds to prevent them taking hold in the spring and clear the plot of summer crops. Don’t leave them to rot as this can increase the risk of disease and harbour unwanted pests.

Autumn always brings a plethora of leaves. Leaf mould makes good mulch and if you have plenty of leaves, you can easily make a cage to contain them, using four stakes and stapling chicken wire around them. Just throw the leaves in and leave them for a year to rot down. Alternatively, you can use a black plastic bag. It is better to shred the leaves, if possible; put them in the black bag; add water and tie loosely so that water can get in and then make holes for the worms to get in; turn after six months and leave for several months until they are well rotted down. They can then be used as a soil improver or mulch.

It’s time to prune apples and pears, which will both beneﬁt from some compost around the base as a mulch. With younger, more tender trees, check that the stakes are ﬁrm, and the trees well tied in as winter winds can damage them and cause poor growth or even cause them to die if the roots are exposed. Barerooted fruit trees, bushes and canes are also dormant, so now is the time to plant them, whilst the ground is not too wet or cold. If you have a greenhouse, give it a good clean and insulate if you intend to use it over

winter. Don’t forget, on sunny days, to open the windows to increase ventilation as this will stop fungal conditions and especially downy mildew from growing.

Other jobs for this month:

• Secure covers over compost heaps/bins. Although the material needs to be damp, winter rain and snow will saturate it and slow down the rotting process.

• Plant garlic cloves, if you haven’t already, as they like to have a period of dormancy and cold before they start growing in the spring. If you have heavy soil that tends to hold water, then put either gravel or sharp sand in the base of the hole before planting and then cover them with compost to get them off to a good start.

• Start to harvest winter cabbage, Brussels sprouts, leeks, and parsnips. Wait until after a frost for the parsnips, as the frost encourages the sugars which give parsnips their sweetness. Pick sprouts from the bottom up as this allows the top ones a chance to swell.

• Protect cauliﬂowers from frost by bending over a few leaves to cover the curds, tie them in place.

• Cover late crops with cloches and net brassicas to prevent the pigeons from enjoying them before you can.

Finally spare a thought for hedgehogs at this time of year as they are in serious decline. Check before lighting any bonﬁres, put a ‘hedgehog house’ in a quiet corner of your plot or leave a messy area over winter. They’re great allies in the ﬁght against slugs and snails!

Happy Gardening!

MATTERS COMMUNITY

We bring you items of interest for your home and community. If there is something you’d like us to cover or you have something to say please get in touch at: Discovering March, PO Box 164, Bourne PE10 1ET Email: editor.march@discoveringmagazines.co.uk

BROWNIES GET FIRST CLASS RAIL SAFETY MESSAGE

Youngsters from 4th March Brownies have enjoyed an educational and fun-filled trip to March Station where they learned all about safety around the railway. The trip was organised by the Hereward Community Rail Partnership (CRP), which works to engage local communities along the Fens’ Hereward Line, as part of an ongoing initiative to promote rail safety and build confidence in rail travel.

MINI MAKERS MARKET

Local children and young people will be getting together and selling their homemade items at the third Mini Makers Craft Market on Saturday, November 23rd.

Held in partnership with March Library, the event will be held in the library’s Wordsworth Room from 2pm-4pm and will include a variety of stalls including woodwork, crochet, food, colour changing cups, keyrings, tea towels and art. There will also be refreshments, an activity table, selfie stall and a raffle. Half of the proceeds from the raffle will go to the West Norfolk Deaf Association – nominated by the young people on the Mini Makers Committee.

For more information, please email: MiniMakersFenland@gmail.com or visit the Facebook page: Mini Makers.

COUNCIL LOOKS FOR NEW HQ

Fenland District Council is looking into the possibility of relocating its headquarters in March as part of a review of office space in a move to reduce costs and make savings without impacting on services to residents and businesses.

Hereward Hall is one of five offices currently owned by Cambridgeshire County Council that the authority is considering closing before August 2025. The review has found that the 100-year-old Fenland Hall is no longer practical and too expensive to keep, as it costs £372,000 a year to operate and requires essential maintenance costing approximately £3 million.

THE SCONCE

By Jennifer Lawler

The Sconce, a scheduled monument, is in the large open grass field near Eastwood Avenue, March covering several historic buildings.

It is the remains of the English Civil War earthen fort or sconce built by Oliver Cromwell’s army between 1642-45, mostly undisturbed and preserved under the hilly ground. It lies in the south-east corner as a rectangular raised platform with bastions on two corners extending out. There were similar ones from the other corners and the whole building was surrounded by a broad ditch. In the centre is a shallow rectangular hollow for cannons. A ditch extending out from the western bastions could have been a cover for infantry or a communication trench.1

The March Sconce could have been part of a line of forts before drainage to protect the island on which the magazine for the whole of the Isle of Ely was stored. Its purpose was to control the road between Ely and Wisbech to the west of the sconce and control traffic on the Doddington Leam (now Horse Moor Drain). Perhaps it was not finished. It shows the effect that the Civil War must have had on the area. Evidence of earlier buildings is underneath the fort and of a house to the north. Medieval agricultural earthworks show a long use of the site and farming techniques used.1

The 1602 manor map in March Museum shows a triangle of land labelled ‘Mr Hinde’ with a large C shaped house ‘Eastwood Hall’ with three smaller buildings and perhaps a garden. There is also a large plot to the east labelled ‘Somerclose Mr Hinde.’

Before Mr Hinde, the manor of Eastwood (Estwode) was owned by Anthony Hansard and his first wife Katherine. They were benefactors of St Wendreda’s church and figures representing them can be seen in the church’s west corners under the angel roof. The brass plaque in St Wendreda’s

church commemorating the death in 1517 of Katherine, sister of Richard Southwell, knight, and councillor to the late Henry VII and to King Henry VIII, shows a man and woman and a small child, who perhaps died early.

Anthony Hansard died in 1833 leaving in his will 6s 7d to the high altar of St Wendreda’s for tithes and naming Alice as one of his executors.2 He had inherited Eastwood, formerly named Lexhams, through his brother-in-law Richard Southgate. A lawsuit against him was brought by the Lexham family in 1529-1532 regarding the Eastwood manor and later against his widow Alice after his death.3

A record shows John Hynde, sergeant-at-law v Alice Hansard widow, of the manor of Estwoode, also called Lexhams, in March, with other property in Doddington, indicating that Eastwood had transferred to the Hynde family in 1544.4

1 Historic England, https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/ the-list/list-entry/1015200?section=official-list-entry

2 jmc4 – Church Explorer, Flickr, https://www.flickr.com/ photos/52219527@N00/42771724312

3 THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES, PROB 11/17/40, http://www. oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-17-40.pdf

4 The East Anglian, Notes and Queries New Series Vol 7 189798, P339 List of Cambs Fines No III Hillary, 36 Henry VIII

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Consumer Advice

‘Winter Proof’ Your Home Now Before the Cold Snap Bites

By Eileen Le Voi at Safe Local Trades

With the clocks going back, days getting shorter and evenings getting darker, it’s a sure fact that winter is really on its way. As the heating may get turned up a degree, and we cosy up rather than venturing out, now is a great time to ensure your home is ‘winter-ready’ with a series of checks and actions. By preparing your property – both inside and out –before the cold snap bites, you can save on effort, energy and be kind to your pocket.

A safe and reliable boiler is key to keeping your home cosy; from heating to hot water – and there is no need for you to break down even if your boiler does! However, you may have a prewinter maintenance checklist for your home and garden which could avoid a November nightmare or December disaster; with our Safe Local Trades members offering rescue and remedy:

• Check all external pipes. Blocked or leaking pipes can freeze during the cold months, then expand and burst – causing potentially expensive water damage.

• Think about insulation. A properly insulated property is an absolute must. Make sure that you check the basics, starting with obvious draft points. Invest in some draft excluders to keep doors and windows secure. Check the cladding around your boiler and pipes, and ensure no taps are leaking.

• Bleed your radiators. A great way to warm up your property is to bleed the radiators. This releases any trapped air, allowing hot water to fill every part of your radiator and warm the property more efficiently.

• Get a boiler service. Arrange for a professional to service your boiler each year. As everyone starts to switch on their central heating, get this booked in now before the surge in demand.

• Clear out your gutters. In autumn, leaves can collect in gutters and drains, leading to blocks and overflows – so it’s best to clean them regularly. Consider investing in gutter leaf guards to help prevent your gutters becoming blocked in future. Also check there are no guttering joint leaks when it’s raining.

• Be safe and secure. Ensure all locks, security lights, and alarm systems are working properly.

To source reputable vetted traders, for any of the above jobs and many more, visit www.safelocaltrades.com and use the Search options.

MATTERS COMMUNITY

TOWN CENTRE REGENERATION ENTERS FINAL PHASE

An ambitious, multi-million pound scheme to support and revitalise March town centre was nearing completion as Discovering March went to press. More than £8.4million has been invested to help March adapt to the changing retail environment and meet the needs of current and future generations as the town continues to grow.

The once-in-a-generation scheme has included the revamp of March Market Place, riverside enhancement works, improvement grants for businesses and the major transformation of Broad Street to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and create a more open, social, and pedestrian-friendly town centre.

The regeneration work has been delivered by Fenland District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council with funding from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and the County Council’s March Area Transport Study (MATS).

The Broad Street project, which started in June 2023, has included work to enhance public safety, with new zebra crossings, and add colour with new planters and trees. It also included the restoration and relocation of March’s historic fountain.

As part of Fenland District Council’s Future High Streets Fund grant, two buildings in the town centre have also been refurbished and revitalised, resulting in improvements to frontages and vacant buildings brought back into use. The council has also received thirty applications to its new March Shopfront Grant Scheme launched in August.

The old Barclays Bank was also purchased as part of the regeneration programme and it became empty six months into the scheme. It will eventually be demolished and replaced with a new mixeduse development.

The public toilet block was removed as part of the regeneration work too, in order to open up the riverside area. A planning application for the new toilet block, to be located along the western edge of Grays Lane and the riverbank, was approved by Fenland District Council’s planning committee and it is hoped the new facility will be built early next year. Temporary toilets in the car park of the old Barclays building will remain in use until then.

Photo: Memorial as Broad Street regeneration neared completion

LOOKING BACK ON BROAD STREET

A new book covering the history of March Broad Street has been compiled by former town mayor Peter Jackman.

Peter (94) decided to put together the eighty-page souvenir booklet ‘The History Of Broad Street’ to coincide with redevelopment of the town centre.

He said: “When I first read about the plans, I decided to let people know more about the history of Broad Street. I’m from March but many people who have moved to the town may be unaware of its history.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed looking back but I also think it is brilliant what is being done now. It’s a march into the future. Every generation changes and I just wanted to mark what came before.”

Peter was helped in the project by his wife Gena with local organisations including March History Group and March Museum sourcing many of the two hundred images included. Printed by March Stationery & Print, it was expected to go on sale at the beginning of November, priced £10.

If you would like a copy, please contact Peter at 21, Waterside Gardens, March PE15 8RW. Tel: (01354) 622060; Mobile: 07368 290174; Email: Georgina.jackman@sky.com

Residents will also be able to buy it at the March Lights Switch On on Friday, November 29th and at March Christmas Market on Sunday, December 1st.

Main photo: The Soldier being moved into place by crane, after the March War Memorial was moved and raised in 1952. Original photo kindly loaned by Steve Neugebauer to March History Group

Inset: Peter Jackman

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• 2 x 1lb Best Pork Sausage Meat Lincolnshire OR Cambridgeshire Gold

• 2 x 1lb Best Back OR Streaky Bacon

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Armistice Celebrations 1918

By Peter Wright on behalf of March & District Museum

News of the end of the Great War reached March through a telegraphic message received at the offices of the local newspaper ‘The Cambs Times’. The news was greeted in a spirit of intense gladness. It was eagerly discussed by small groups of people gathering in the streets. As the full meaning of the news became understood, there were scenes of remarkable enthusiasm and rejoicing throughout the district. The streets became more and more thronged by happy faced townspeople. Flags appeared on public and private buildings, were carried on vehicles and waved by pedestrians. Bells were rung and in every possible way, happiness which was felt by everyone was demonstrated. Work was out of the question for the rest of the day as it became a general holiday. Husbands and wives were out to celebrate the occasion and the afternoon was given over to general congratulations by crowds that filled the streets.

Enthusiasm rose as the day progressed and reached its height by the lighting of a large fire on the Market Place. A battalion of soldiers billeted in the town energetically led the celebrations. Headed by a military band, they carried an effigy of The Kaiser through the streets in a torchlit procession and returned to the Market Place where the fire was well ablaze. The image was thrown into the flames amid deafening cheers from the great assembly of townspeople.

Then the soldiers linked arms and danced round the fire to the music of their band. The merriment was kept up for a considerable time. Subsequently the Railway Prize Silver Band and the Boy Scouts’ Bugle Band made an appearance and further enlivened the town throughout the evening. Large crowds followed them as they paraded the streets and it was late before the rejoicing subsided.

On the following evening, a Tuesday, a united church service was held at St Peter's. It attracted

a large congregation which filled the building to its fullest capacity. Forms had to be placed in the aisles to seat worshippers. The military band played from the fountain to the church followed by members of the UDC. The congregation comprised members of all denominations and the ministers of the town joined St Peter's clergy in the chancel. The Rural Dean, the Rev T T Peyton of St Mary's and Rev S S Walton of St John’s, took the prayers and the Rector Rev D A Stewart preached the sermon. Others present were Rev G S Walker of St Wendreda's, Rev J A Banks – Congregational, Rev B J Northfield – Providence Baptist, T M Bamber and W J Neville.

On July 19th the following year, a more formal celebration was organised on the Gaul Road Recreation Ground with a Drum Head Service and a dinner in the morning with sports and a concert in the afternoon. A crowd of several thousand attended and two banners, painted by Mr Fred Colbourne of Badgeney Road, March were proudly displayed.

March Museum located in High Street and is open Wednesdays and Saturdays 10.30am-3.30pm www.marchmuseum.co.uk Email: info@marchmuseum.co.uk

Photo: Postcard showing the crowd and the Peace Banner and the banner listing the casualties suffered in the Great War

3 Causeway, Godmanchester, PE29 2HA

01480 411 500

Wild about March

Big Black Birds 1: Carrion Crow

All part of the Corvid (Crow) family, there are others that are not black...

By Joan Munns, of March Wildlife Group & March & District Woodland Group

There are five big black birds resident in Britain but I will ignore the Chough and Raven that are restricted to coastal and upland areas of western Britain.

The two most similar are the Rook and the Carrion Crow. In the northwest of Britain there is a Hooded Crow but this has a lot of grey plumage so isn’t strictly black. The third local bird is the Jackdaw.

An old saying is a good rule of thumb, ‘A Crow in a crowd is a Rook and a Rook on its own is a Crow.’ It is not uncommon to see a group of five or six crows, usually a family, but very large groups are almost unknown.

Telling them apart in flight is nearly impossible but, on the ground or perched, minor differences can be seen; luckily, the sexes are alike and the calls are similar too.

The crow is very slick in appearance with scarcely a feather out of place, to me they are ‘Brylcreem Boys’ even if they are females. They also have a menacing look; it’s no wonder the collective name for a group is a Murder of Crows.

Crows are very wary of people because of years of persecution. Gamekeepers shot them because they would take the eggs and chicks of game birds such as Pheasants bred for shooting parties. This still happens, but it requires a licence, and there has been much less shooting in the last twenty or thirty years.

The Carrion Crow is an omnivore and will take seeds, insects, and protein in any form. As their name suggests they will scavenge for anything dead and come to road kills but are seldom struck by vehicles.

They build an untidy nest of sticks in the top of a tall tree, preferably a solitary one, giving them a vantage point looking for food, in any form, in all directions. They are very fond of other birds’ eggs and nestlings and seriously predate ground nesting birds. Wading birds that nest colonially are often victims in large

numbers. Wetland Nature Reserves cut down solitary trees to protect the nesting waders. They are highly evolved birds and can walk easily; most birds can only hop.

Crows are amongst the cleverest of birds; on the coast they have learned to drop shellfish onto rocks to break the shells so they can get to the juicy creature inside. This skill is soon picked up by others so is perpetuated. Rook and Jackdaw to follow.

The next Gault Wood Work Party is Saturday November 2nd at 10am.

If you'd like to support our work at the wood as a volunteer, please contact the Woodland Trust using this email: volunteering@woodlandtrust.org.uk

Alternatively, you might like to support the Nature's Calendar project, which focuses on phenology, which is the study of plant and animal reaction to climate change. Nature's Calendar (woodlandtrust.org.uk)

Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow walking

Sausages

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£18.99

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BRONZE PACK £30

• 2 kilo Boneless Turkey Breast; with Streaky Bacon

• 10 Best Pork Chipolatas Wrapped in Streaky Bacon

• 1lb Best Back OR Streaky Bacon

SILVER PACK £60

• 2.5 kilo Boneless Turkey Breast; Streaky Bacon

• 1lb Best Pork Sausage Meat Lincolnshire OR Cambridgeshire Gold with

GOLD PACK £90

• 2.5 kilo Turkey Breast; Plain, Stuffed and/or Dressed with Streaky Bacon

• 2 kilo Prime Topside of Beef

• 2.5 kilo Boned & Rolled Pork Loin

• 20 Best Pork Chipolatas Wrapped in Bacon

• 2 x 1lb Best Pork Sausage Meat Lincolnshire OR Cambridgeshire Gold

• 2 x 1lb Best Back OR Streaky Bacon

• 2.5 kilo Boned & Rolled Pork Loin

• 20 Best Pork Chipolatas Wrapped in Bacon

• 1lb Best Back OR Streaky Bacon

• 1lb Best Pork Sausage Meat Lincolnshire OR Cambridgeshire Gold

PLATINUM PACK £120

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• 5 kilo Fresh Farm Assured Whole Turkey AND

• 3 kilo Prime Topside of Beef

• 2 kilo Gammon Joint

• 30 Best Pork Chipolatas Wrapped in Bacon

• 2 x 1lb Best Pork Sausage Meat Lincolnshire OR Cambridgeshire Gold

• 2 x 1lb Best Back OR Streaky Bacon

Add on a Cooked Pack!

Pack A: £10 Pack B: £15

• 1lb Hand Raised Pork Pie

• 350g (av 6 Slices) Home Cooked Ham

• 1lb Mature Cheddar Cheese

• 1lb Hand Raised Pork Pie

• 500g (av 10 Slices) Home Cooked Ham

• 1 Homemade Haslet

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Home deliveries before 18th December FREE OF CHARGE with a £50 minimum spend. Any deliveries made from the 18th-24th December will have a £5 delivery charge. CHRISTMAS DELIVERY DATES: Wednesday 18th: March, Wimblington and Doddington. Thursday 19th: March, Wimblington and Doddington. Friday 20th: March, Wimblington and Doddington. Saturday 21st: March, Wimblington and Doddington. Sunday 22nd: March, Wimblington and Doddington. Monday 23rd: March only.

Please note that due to high demand some products have been previously frozen. Any item unavailable will be replaced with an item of equal or higher value.

WINES

Sparkling wines are a favourite choice for many wine lovers. Very acceptable and enjoyed regularly, these types and styles of wine continue to grow in popularity, whether for a pre-dining drink, pairing with foods, a celebration or just on their own. A sparkling wine also adds a certain ‘something’, to any event or occasion.

A good number of countries around the world now produce sparkling wines. I searched for a retailer that has an excellent range, along with many other wines, such as red, white and still differences, which satisfy most tastes.

Veuve Monsigny Champagne (12.5% vol) needs little introduction and has numerous devotees. This non-vintage Champagne utilises Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes to a great advantage. Certainly, this sparkling production continues to be a major contender on the ‘leaderboard’. I found it to be often recognised as one of the best Champagnes for value. It has a very wide appeal, with its apple bouquet and fruity mouthfeel, which is followed,

most acceptably, by the palate’s excitement. Great Champagne, with excellent value.

Another much sought-after production is ‘Specially Selected’ Fleurs d’Eau (11.5% vol). Again, non-vintage and much adored, this blend of Muscat, Sangiovese, Tempranillo and Bobal grape varieties has countless ‘pink’ wine lovers constantly delighted. I found some luscious tropical fruits to entice me from the bouquet, eagerly, to the mouth’s pleasures. The fresh mouthfeel and the sensation on the palate are superb, with fruitiness and a good, lengthy ﬁnish. A most excellent production (in my opinion) which will please on many occasions and can also be enjoyed by itself, during some quiet moments.

I located these sparkling wines at an Aldi store. I found Aldi to have an excellent range of numerous types and styles of drinks – something for all tastes and palates. The in-store advice, about their drinks, was very helpful too. Products, for all our daily needs and requirements,

By Trevor Langley

including fresh fruits and vegetables, are available too. For more details and information, please contact and/or visit www.aldi.co.uk

As always, enjoy!

CChristmas Magic at Peterborough Cathedral

Saturday, December 14th, 2.30pm and 7.30pm

hristmas is coming, and what better way to start the festivities than with Christmas Magic, the city’s favourite Christmas celebration, which returns to Peterborough Cathedral on Saturday, December 14th.

Always a high point of the festive season in Peterborough, Christmas Magic has delighted audiences from across the city and beyond for well over a decade. Expect to hear stunning arrangements of classics like Away In A Manger, Silent Night and Jingle Bells as well as festive favourites like O Holy Night, The Christmas Song and Carol of the Bells, all performed against the glorious backdrop of Peterborough Cathedral! Featuring performances from Peterborough Male Voice Choir, Peterborough Voices and Peterborough Community Chorus with

Peterborough Festival Brass, there will be a 2.30pm matinee for the whole family to enjoy, as well as an evening performance at 7.30pm. With something for everyone, young and old, Christmas Magic is guaranteed to put you in the Christmas spirit, so bring the kids and the grandparents too!

“It really is the start of Christmas for me,” said Mark Currier of Peterborough Male Voice Choir. “It’s a fantastic concert, great fun, in a wonderful setting!” Fellow singer Bridget Pengelly of Peterborough Voices agreed: “It’s a real family affair, so bring along your nearest and dearest and I guarantee that you’ll leave with a huge smile on your face and a warm fuzzy festive feeling inside!”

Christmas Magic is at Peterborough Cathedral at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday, December 14th, tickets at www.peterboroughsings.org.uk or by phone on 0333 666 3366 (fees apply) BOOK NOW!

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TUES, WEDS & THURS: 12–2.30PM & 5–8.30PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY: 9AM–2.30PM AND 5–8.30PM ON SUNDAYS: 9AM–3.30PM

Christmas Cake EASY TO MAKE

Ingredients

FOR THE SOAKED FRUIT

300g raisins

150g dried apricots, chopped

75g mixed peel

150g glace cherries, chopped

180g dates, chopped

1 cup + 2 tbsp apple juice or for a boozy cake – 1 cup apple juice and 2 tbsp of brandy FOR THE CAKE

115g unsalted butter

11/2 cups dark brown sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3 tbsp golden syrup

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp all spice

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

3 large eggs

1/2 tsp baking powder

12/3 cups plain ﬂour

3/4 cup walnuts, chopped

This flavourful fruit cake has a rich, velvety texture that is so moist it can be eaten plain, without icing!

Method

1 Place the dried fruit and apple juice/ brandy in a large microwavable container. Microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds on high or until hot.

2 Stir well to coat all of the fruit in the liquid. Cover then set aside for 1 hour (to plump up/soak and cool).

3 Preheat the oven to 160°C/320°F (140°C fan). Grease and line a 21-22 cm/8 -9 inch round cake tin with baking paper (parchment paper) (7cm/2.75 inch tall).

4 Using an electric whisk, beat the butter and sugar until smooth and creamy.

5 Add the vegetable oil and golden syrup, then whisk until combined.

6 Add the salt, spices and baking powder –whisk until incorporated.

7 Add in the eggs, one at a time, whisking until incorporated.

8 Stir in the ﬂour. When mostly incorporated, stir in the fruit mix (including all the extra liquid in bowl) and the walnuts.

9 Pour mixture into the cake tin, cover with foil and bake for 21/2 hours. Remove the foil then bake for another 30-45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into middle comes out clean (check ﬁrst at 30 minutes).

10 Remove from oven and cool for 20 minutes before transferring to cooling rack. Cool completely before decorating (in your preferred way) and/or serving.

BLHR Waldersea Depot, Long Drove, Waldersea, Friday Bridge, Wisbech, PE14 0NP

Website: www.bramleyline.org.uk

Email: office@bramleyline.org.uk

Facebook: Bramley Line Heritage Railway

The BLHR is a group of member volunteers with a Network Rail licence to work on the March to Wisbech rail line with the aim of getting it clear so it could be opened for use with heritage rail rolling stock. The two photos show what we would like it to look like and the reality at the moment.

This is why we are reaching out to the local communities to find people who would like to join and become members of the BLHR and help clear the brambles and reeds. We can then assess what is needed, firstly to run between Waldersea Yard and Coldham, followed by other sections until we can run on the full length and provide a heritage service to promote the area and pass on the history of the line to even more people.

At Coldham we will be working with the Coldham Residents Action Group (CRAG) around the old station area to clear vegetation and look at positions for history boards.

Anyone who worked on the line, has a story about it or has any artifacts they would like the BLHR to have and look after connected with the operation of the line, please contact us on Facebook, by email or even a letter to the address above. We would be very grateful for your knowledge. We would like young and old to come and help, but we do have restrictions from our insurance company and Network Rail regarding our licence to be on track. Please wear stout walking shoes or boots. Thanks for reading this article and we look forward to hearing from or seeing you. Clive, Chair BLHR

PHILIP AT DIAMOND BYTE

Are you thinking of buying a new desktop computer for Christmas? Or are you tempted to wait until the Boxing Day sales to get one cheaper? Be aware however, that if you compromise on price, you may end up with a computer that is not really fit for purpose.

To begin with, you need to know what specifications you’ll require for whatever it is you need the computer for. You may be looking for a basic computer for everyday tasks, such as banking, online shopping or browsing the internet. Or you may need something a bit more powerful for working from home, or photo and video editing.

A basic desktop computer shouldn’t cost you more than £400 if you buy from a high street retailer or a reputable online seller. A refurbished desktop will cost even less – from under £200. The minimum specifications you will need are:

• Processor: Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 with at least four cores.

• Graphics card: Whichever ‘integrated’ graphics card comes with the processor.

• RAM: 8GB as the bare

WHAT TO BUY THIS CHRISTMAS

minimum, although it’s worth spending more to get 16GB.

• Storage: At least a 256GB SSD and, optionally, space inside the case to move over an old hard drive from your previous computer.

A more powerful desktop should be priced at £500 as this will get you something that not only meets your needs today but will last well into the future. Minimum specs are as follows:

• Processor: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 with at least four cores but ideally six.

• Graphics card: Whichever ‘integrated’ graphics comes with the processor.

• RAM: 16GB gives you plenty of capacity for multi-tasking as well as playing games.

• Storage: At least a 512GB SSD although you can save money by opting for less.

While it’s tempting to go for a cheaper model, there are certain specifications that are a definite no-go. These are often sold on Amazon or eBay, but there are some computers sold by major high-street retailers that are also not fit for purpose. Specifications to avoid are:

• Processor: Intel Celeron or Pentium or AMD Ryzen Silver. These are slow from the start and will only get worse as time goes on.

• RAM: 4GB is the smallest amount any Windows 11 computer can have but it is barely sufficient for even the lightest of work.

• Storage: 64GB. Windows 11 needs 64GB to run, however additional storage space is essential for downloading updates and enabling specific features.

Make sure you check the age of the processor, particularly if you are buying from an online marketplace or a discount site. It’s easy to do – copy the name of the processor and paste it into a search engine. Find the result that takes you to the processor manufacturer's website, which will provide the launch year, or the launch quarter (for example Q1 21 would be the first quarter of 2021). If the processor is more than six years old, we recommend not buying it, even if it has Windows 11 installed. If the listing doesn’t specify what exact processor is in the computer, avoid it at all costs.

Mayflower can change your life

By Ashlie Barnard

When I founded Mayflower Financial Planning it was important to me to offer cashflow modelling to all clients so that you can make life changing decisions without guessing what your financial situation may look like later on.

One of the most common questions I get as a Chartered Financial Advisor, is ‘when can I afford to retire?’

Cashflow modelling enables us to put your financial information into our system, project figures forward – taking account charges, inflation, performance and even market crashes and give you an exact date. Moreover, we are able to build in those scenarios that might also be causing indecision such as paying off your mortgage, downsizing

or moving home, contributing to a child’s wedding and even assess the impact of serious illness or an early death. All displayed in a helpful and easy to read graph.

Feedback we have from clients is that the service is life changing. Often seeing tears of relief and on the occasions when the outcome doesn’t look quite so good, enables us to build a plan with you on how to improve and change your spending habits or financial holdings to get you closer to your goal.

As part of the process, we write out to all your providers for you so you don’t have to, obtaining the details of your pensions, savings, mortgages, insurance policies, getting a really clear understanding of where you are in achieving your goal.

If you have a ‘when can I? or ‘how can I?’ question, then get in touch with our friendly team in complete confidence on (01354) 278088 or ashliebarnard@tpllp.com

The value of investments can go down as well as up. You could get back less than you put in.

MATTERS COMMUNITY

SUPPORT FENLAND PROJECT LAUNCHED

More than forty individuals from voluntary organisations across the Fenland district have attended the official launch of the Support Fenland project.

The event, which was held at the Queen Mary Centre in Wisbech, was an opportunity for those from the voluntary sector to hear more about the project, meet the team and find out how they could be involved.

Attendees were encouraged to discuss several topics including identifying the strengths of the Fenland area and how together with the help of the Support Fenland team, their organisations could find solutions to overcoming some of the challenges that also exist.

Support Fenland is a five-year project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund to help communities and charities across the whole of the Fenland District and is being delivered by the Support Cambridgeshire partnership (The Hunts Forum of Voluntary Organisations and Cambridge Centre of Voluntary Services also known as Hunts Forum and CCVS).

Kathryn Shepherdson, Deputy CEO at Hunts Forum, said: “It is important that we hear first-hand the

voice of those organisations based in the Fens for us to channel the support to those groups that need it. Their feedback is invaluable to us, and we look forward to working with communities and groups to ensure they flourish.

“Comments that we received following the event have been extremely positive. Referring to the project, a small group representative said, ‘If this had been about when I started up it would have been so useful.’ We want to ensure that no group or person with a good idea to help their community has to work in isolation and they are given access to support, guidance and advice when needed.”

Support Fenland offers a range of free services including training, how to identify funding sources, making successful grant applications, structuring a non- profit group, writing polices and governance, providing networking opportunities, mentoring and much more.

Leading the project are Marija Lysak, Fenland Development Officer, and Didem (Dee) Ucuncu, Fenland Communities Officer, who both bring a wealth of experience from the private, charity and volunteer sectors.

If you would like to know more about how Support Fenland can help you, please contact them on Fenland@supportcambridgeshire.org.uk

The reliable team at Fraser Dawbarns can help with your legal issue, providing trusted advice and guidance. We can support you through family and business matters, giving you total peace of mind.

To discover more about how we can help you, visit our website or contact a member of our team today.

“Fraser Dawbarns is an exceptional law firm. All colleagues are extremely knowledgeable, professional and courteous.”

Client, 2024

No Will: Who Inherits?

Arecent survey has found that 68 percent of cohabitees are unaware of the rules of intestacy and what would happen to their estate if they died without a will.

Without a will, there are strict rules that set out who will inherit. In many cases, and especially where couples are living together without marrying or forming a civil partnership, this could result in a far different distribution from what was envisaged by either party.

Some 32% of people surveyed believed that their partner would automatically inherit their estate. It might surprise you to learn that your partner (if you are not married or in a civil partnership) has no automatic right to inherit from your estate, however long you have been together.

Inheritance under the Intestacy Rules is restricted to either your spouse or to your immediate family, which includes both your full and half-blood relations.

If you are living with your partner, but not married or in a civil partnership with children of your own, it is your children that inherit. If you do not have any children, your parents would inherit your estate equally between them.

This could lead to some difficulties if the home you were living in with your partner was in your sole name. Following your death, they would have no right to remain living in their home and it would pass in equal shares between your children or your parents.

This might be easily resolved where your partner is also the parent of the children, but if they are not, much will depend on the relationship between your partner and your children, or your parents.

Again, if your partner is financially dependent on you (perhaps not working whilst they care for your children), they might end up in significant financial hardship after your death.

To ensure that your partner receives a legacy from you, it is vital to draw up a will as the law currently does not recognise ‘common law spouses.’

By making a will you can decide who is to inherit and when. You might want to give your current partner a right to remain living in your house for the remainder of their life, but with that house passing to your children from an earlier relationship after their death.

Your partner may have a home of their own and therefore doesn’t need to be given a right to live in your home, but they might have very little in the way of income or savings so a gift from you would help them to live more comfortably after your death.

Eleven percent of the people surveyed said that they had given no thought to what would happen to their estate after their death. We would urge everyone, whether living together, married, or single to take a few moments to think about who they would want to make a gift to after their death.

If you’d like to discuss this in more detail, please contact Cath Collins on (01945) 898090 or via cathcollins@vinelaw.co.uk

• Wills, Probate and Lasting Powers Of Attorney

• Property

• Employment Law and HR Services

• Civil Litigation – dispute avoidance and resolution

• Legal assistance for start-ups and SMEs

COMING SOON: New Assessment for Foot and Leg Pains

We currently provide assessments to identify the underlying biomechanical issues, and orthoses (shoe inserts) are often prescribed to correct imbalances. Orthoses are designed to support the surface of the foot and arch, may cushion the heel, and redistribute pressure, alleviating pain and preventing further injury. Properly fitted orthoses not only reduce pain but can also enhance overall mobility, improve balance, and prevent long-term damage.

In addition to our existing assessment, we are pleased to introduce OptoGait analysis equipment. OptoGait is an advanced optical measurement system that analyses gait, balance, and biomechanics by tracking the movement of individuals as they walk or run over an array of LED sensors. This provides real-time, precise data on foot strike patterns, gait symmetry, and other key movement metrics.

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OptoGait enables clinicians to identify the root cause of foot pain more accurately than traditional methods. By visualising and analysing gait patterns in detail, clinicians can detect these abnormalities early and recommend targeted interventions. This analysis is non-invasive, quick, and highly accurate, making it a useful tool in both diagnosis and treatment planning. This OptoGait data can be used to precisely design these orthoses for each individual’s unique foot structure and gait pattern. Together, OptoGait analysis and orthoses form a powerful combination in managing foot pain. OptoGait’s advanced technology provides a comprehensive understanding of gait mechanics, while custom orthoses offer a personalised solution that supports healthy movement, it offers a cuttingedge approach to diagnosing and treating foot pain, helping patients recover faster and enjoy a higher quality of life.

If you suffer from foot or leg pains, get in touch to see how our team could help you.

March Podiatry Practice Ltd

47-49 High Street, March PE15 9JJ

47-49 High Street, March PE15 9JJ Tel 01354 651200

www.marchpodiatry.co.uk

Opening hours: Mon 9am-7pm, Tues 9am-5pm, Weds 9am-7pm, Thurs 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-1pm

ALEXANDRA MOVES TO NEW PREMISES

Massages

Alexandra Ion Massage Therapy clients can now receive a wide range of treatments at Claire’s Nails and Beauty at the Wheel Centre.

Alexandra provides a wide range of treatments that include Swedish massage, lymphatic drainage massage, Indian head massage, deep sport massage, bamboo stick massage, pregnancy massage and reflexology massage and will soon be adding cupping massage.

The Certified Massage Therapist (CMT), who trained at East Anglian Beauty & Holistic Training Academy, said: “I have been carrying out treatments for people at Claire’s salon for more than a month and I am really pleased with how it is going. I have been working around three days a week, fitting it in around my work at a local care home.”

Alexandra – who is fully qualified – started her practice professionally in March earlier this year having previously offered services to friends and family for the last five years.

people from many different backgrounds and ages who come to her with back pain, headaches, stress, water retention, deep tissue pain and other ailments.

Tel: 07495 710017; Email: alexandraionmassagetherapy@gmail.com; Facebook. Claire's Nails and Beauty is based at 3, The Wheel Centre, March PE15 8TX

ALEXANDRA ION

OFFERING MASSAGE THERAPY

SPORTING INITIATIVES LEAD THE WAY IN FENLAND

By Steve Barclay MP

Improving local sports, arts and recreation facilities has long been a priority for me as the Member of Parliament, and we’ve seen some exciting developments recently.

There has been more than £2 million invested in the arts in Fenland in the last five years, a new 3G football pitch in place at Leverington, and another nearing completion at Wisbech St Mary. Alongside this we need to make sure that local businesses providing new facilities can thrive. So, it was particularly exciting this month to visit two of the Fens’ sporting stars who have returned to the area to support the local community. The first is top snooker player Joe Perry who opened the doors of his Snooker & Pool Palace in Chatteris earlier this year. Along with his partner, Penny Richardson, he has built a fantastic facility that we are very fortunate to have in the area. Getting investment like this into rural areas like ours is particularly important, and when I stopped by to play a frame against the 2022 Welsh Open Champion, we discussed the challenges they have faced and their plans for the next steps in the business. If you have not yet visited, I would strongly recommend giving it a go.

The second is former European, Commonwealth, and international boxing champion Jordan Gill. His Boxcross gym in Wisbech has been a real success story. I was impressed by the whole team’s commitment to making a positive impact on the local community, as well as providing a welcoming and motivating environment where people can improve their fitness which is so fantastic. They've recently made a £250,000 upgrade which means they can offer even more. Many people think of the rural economy in just very traditional terms. Of course, food and farming

will always be at its heart - as it is in Fenland. This is something that I’ve been proud to champion whilst covering the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs brief, both in government and opposition. Indeed, I recently led a debate in Parliament putting pressure on the Government to pay out support for those farmers affected by the extreme wet weather we’ve experienced in the last eighteen months. As Secretary of State, I prioritised funding in May to support farmers impacted by flooding, but the Government now seems to be inexplicably holding it up. I will continue to speak up for farmers on this.

From new businesses like Joe and Jordan’s, to one of the most established in our area which is Elgoods brewery. They have been making beer for over two-and-a-quarter centuries and I was delighted to join them as they hosted the SIBA East Independent Beer Competition and Awards last month before their annual Beer Festival. Local events like this really bring our community together and we need to continue to support our excellent local brewers.

With the concern raised by the cut to the winter fuel allowance, ensuring pensioners are aware of the support available elsewhere becomes more important than ever. The brilliant Golden Age Fairs run by Fenland District Council are held in different villages and towns across the constituency, usually in village halls and community centres, and showcase services and support for local residents over the age of sixty. I joined the Mayor of Wisbech, Sidney Imafidon, and more than twenty organisations at their recent event at Tydd St Giles Community Centre. Taken alongside programmes like Active Fenland, which was launched in 2015 with Sport England funding, this has particular activities for older people; it shows how much importance is placed on looking after pensioners in the area.

We are fortunate locally to have many active local organisations and councillors delivering community schemes, and as the colder weather approaches, I will continue to work with them to help constituents across Fenland.

To find out more about my work in Parliament or local campaigns, visit my website www.stevebarclay.net or follow me on social media:

• Free hearing tests

• State of the art rechargeable hearing aids which are compatible with all mobile phones

• Eﬀective painless wax removal

• Noise protection

You can visit us at one of our local clinics:

St Ives Practice

13 The Broadway St Ives PE27 5BX

Tel: (01480) 300955

Wisbech Practice 31 High Street Wisbech PE13 1DE

Tel: (01945) 466386

For information on any of the ser vices we provide, or to discuss your speciﬁc requirements, please get in touch.

Email: info@clearerhearing.co.uk

“When someone in the family has a hearing loss, the entire family has a hearing problem.”

Award-winning care at The Gables care home in Chatteris

We provide short-term, respite care or longer-term support at our home in Chatteris.

Rooms at The Gables are decorated to an exceptionally high standard and most feature ensuite facilities. There are large, communal living and dining areas and access to our beautiful, well-kept garden where we host events with families and our local community.

We provide high quality care including fresh, nutritious meals and a wide variety of activities are available. Prices start from £1,000 per week, depending on the room and level of care required.

Our home is rated as good with the Care Quality Commission and for the last 7 years, has been rated as one of the Top 20 care homes in East Anglia based on reviews from the highly respected carehome.co.uk website.

To find out more, please give us a call or visit us online.

Tel: 01354 693858

Email: TheGables@blackswan.co.uk

www.blackswan.co.uk

Denture re-lines

Denture additions

Denture cosmetic improvements

Dentures cleaned and polished

A fully qualified dental technician

We meet between 10:00am and 12:00pm at:

Chatteris Library

Every 3rd Monday of the month

March Library

Every 3rd Wednesday of the month

Dentures fracture for a reason. They may have become damaged, perhaps by dropping; they may simply be old and worn; or perhaps the denture is no longer suitable for purpose.

Loose dentures may damage gums or the underlying bone structure and are also more prone to breakage. Re-lining your denture will re-stablish a good fit.

Your dentures should be inspected annually along with a checkup on your oral health, or more frequently if necessary.

F E N L A N D

V O L U N T E E R B L E N D

Wisbech - Trinity Methodist Church Cafe

Every 3rd Thursday of the month

Whittlesey Library

Every 3rd Friday of the month

Refreshments provided

For more information

Call: 07709 741962

Email: rima@cambridgecvs.org.uk

We look forward to welcoming you!

volunteercambs.org.uk

Toni Wilkes Acupuncture

BSc (Hons), LicAc, MBAcC

To enter, simply find the five words listed below in the wordsearch, fill in your contact details and drop off your entry to us here at Paper-chain, 11 Station Road, March PE15 8LB, where we will collect them all and then draw the lucky winner! The closing date for entries is Saturday 7th December 2024. Good luck!

1stSundayDecember

10am - 3pm

Ofﬁcial opening at 10am by the Mayor of March

150 stalls Live Music & Entertainment Mulled Wine

Festive Food & Drink Quality Gifts Indoor Craft Fayre

Activities in March Library Museum Open Meet

What’s Coming Up

JOIN US FOR WEDNESDAY LUNCHES •

Served from 12 noon to 2pm

FRIDAY 1st NOVEMBER: BINGO NIGHT

Eyes down at 7.30pm, cash prizes and raﬄe. All welcome

SUNDAY 3rd NOVEMBER & SUNDAY

24th NOVEMBER: WINTER QUIZ NIGHTS

The longest running quiz in March – over 30 years!

Teams of 4 (max), £2 per player, 7.30pm start and if you can’t get enough of quizzes...

EVERY THURSDAY: FREE PUB QUIZ NIGHT

7.30pm start, FREE entry, all welcome. No limit on team size

SUNDAY 10th NOVEMBER:

REMEMBRANCE DAY CARVERY

Tickets on sale now. £16 per person for two courses with tea/coﬀee. Carvery starts after a 2 minute silence at 1pm. All welcome

FRIDAY 15th NOVEMBER: PRIZE BINGO

Eyes down at 7.30pm. All welcome

SAT 16th NOVEMBER: CLUB MUSIC NIGHT

Live music

SATURDAY 23rd NOVEMBER:

SHOPPING TRIP TO MILTON KEYNES

Only £18 per person. Limited availability

FRIDAY 29th NOVEMBER:

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON

Go and see the town lights switch on then come in for a warm-up and a drink. Bar meals available from 5pm. All welcome

CHESS CLUB

Meets every monday from 7.30pm. All abilities welcome

LUNCHTIME DOMINOES SESSION

On the ﬁrst and third Monday of the month. 12 noon start.

FRIDAY 6TH & FRIDAY 13TH DECEMBER:

Works Christnas Parties

with three course meal and live music. £22 per person

LIMITED AVAILABILITY ON BOTH NIGHTS SO HURRY AND GET BOOKED IN!

For more information contact the Club on 01354 653150 or go to the Club Facebook page and just search for March Con Club. If you like the page you will get all the updates for what’s going on. Why not come and see what the Club has to offer? We have very limited availability for private bookings. For more information about this or any of our events, please contact the club.

Featuring snooker and two pool tables, a big screen TV and PLUS TWO NEW DARTBOARDS! The games room can be accessed by members from 9am. Why not come along and have a look?

5 EASY WAYS TO tackle poverty in your community

With 14.4 million of us living in poverty in the UK, there are people facing crushing financial difficulty in every community, including our own. Adults. Pensioners. Children. Too many are in crisis because of circumstances entirely out of their control, from household income that doesn’t cover the basics and the unaffordable cost of living, to mental ill-health and bereavement.

If, like us at Christians Against Poverty (CAP), you’re not okay with this devastating reality we’re living in, then here are five easy ways that you can make a difference.

Contact your MP

Following the General Election, your local MP has now had a few months to settle into the new term. It’s a great time to ask about their priorities and plans for the next few years. Use the following questions to start a conversation about poverty:

• What local organisations are you supporting to help tackle poverty in our area?

• What specific actions are you planning to take (or already taking) to reduce poverty in our area?

• What is your personal motivation to help local people who are facing poverty?

Support your local CAP centre

CAP is committed to fighting poverty through free, faceto-face debt help, job clubs, life skills groups and financial education. Services are delivered through local churches based at the heart of communities like ours. To find out how you could support the work of Wisbech Baptist Church and March Centenary Baptist Church, please contact me

on 07787 204359 or email linstanton@capuk.org

Raise your voice on social media

Social media is a quick and easy way to share the things that matter to you and encourage others to pay attention. Local groups are a great tool for discussing issues in your community. Not sure what to say? Follow CAP UK on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn for ready-made content that you can share.

Donate to a local food bank

We hope that one day there won’t be a need for food banks in the UK, but right now it’s a vital service that many rely on. If you’re fortunate enough to be able to afford everything you need at the supermarket, consider adding a few extra bits to your trolley to donate to your local food bank.

Check in with your circle

Unfortunately, people often feel ashamed or embarrassed to talk about experiencing poverty and, at CAP, we’re passionate about breaking this stigma. Financial difficulties can hit any of us, for all sorts of reasons, and nobody should have to go through it alone. There may be people in

By Lin Stanton, Debt Centre Manager for Fenland Christians Against Poverty (CAP)

your circle who you don’t realise are struggling, so check in with your neighbours, friends, family members and colleagues and, where necessary, point them in the direction of the help they need. There are lots of brilliant, free sources of support available, including CAP. To find out more, visit capuk.org/help

Sources: 14.4 million people in the UK living in poverty: Department for Work and Pensions, Households Below Average Income, 2022/23

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a UK charity working with more than 800 affiliated churches to deliver debt help, budgeting guidance, support to find work, life skills groups and more. Visit capuk.org to find out more.

SATurday 2nd

Table top sale

SATurday 9th

Karaoke & Disco

sunday 10th remembrance sunday buffet

friday 15th

Play Your Cards Right

SATurday 23rd

Mr E: live music

Chess Club every Thursday

new members welcome!

THE ROOKSWOOD CLUB

agm on THURSDAY 28th NOVEMBER from 7pm

regular Quiz & Bingo Nights, open mic nights

Discos, Karaoke and Music Entertainment Evenings

function rooms available to hire for parties, weddings, anniversaries, christenings and wakes

Annual General Meeting and Special Meeting to discuss Rule Book changes. Cheese and Biscuits will be served afterwards for all those that attend. You will be asked to show your membership card on entry.

PLENTY OF outside seating in a south facing garden TO ENJOY

opening hours: tues 7-10.30pm thurs 7-10.30pm fri 7-11pm sat 12-11pm sun 12-8pm

members only club: For more information or a new membership form please call in and see us 27 west end, march pe15 8dp

LOCAL CLUBS & GROUPS

Fenland Music Centre: For musicians of all ages and abilities. Fridays (term-times) 6-9pm at St Peter's Church March. Orchestra, Concert Band, String, Wind, Brass & Recorder Ensembles. For more information see our website, find us on Facebook or email fenlandmusiccentreassociation@gmail.com

Solo Club: For people who have lost partners through bereavement. Come along and join us every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month; midday at Hot Pots Cafe – The Cricket Club, Burrowmoor Road, March PE15 9RS. Membership £5/year. For more details contact 01354 656181 or 01354 654169.

Friends of March Library: Coffee morning at March Library on the last Saturday of every month from 10 30am to 12 noon. Hot and cold drinks plus biscuits cost 50p and we also hold a raffle. All profits are spent on/by March Library. For more details contact Maureen Malvern on 01354 658247.

Wisbech and District Flower Club: See beautiful flower arrangements being made by local and national demonstrators. Meets every 3rd Monday of the month at St Peters Hall, Wisbech. For more information, call 07949 443251.

March Parkinson's Group: Meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 10.30am-12.30pm at the Braza Club, Elm Road, March. This is a friendly group and everyone is welcome. £1 per session so pop along for a free taster and check us out. Please contact Wendy Summerlin on 01354 661997 for more details.

March Lions Club: Meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm in the FACT Community Room at Martin Avenue. New members always welcome. For more information visit marchlions.org.uk or call 0345 833 5101.

March Raceway: One of the oldest 1/12 radio control car oval clubs in the UK. Our members range from 8 to 75 years old so all are welcome! Race every Friday at Longhill Road Social Club, Longhill Road, March PE15 0PR (at the prison). Doors open 6.30pm. For fixtures and further information visit marchraceway.weebly.com or find us on Facebook.

March Jive Club: At the Braza Club, Elm Road, March PE15 8NZ. Meets every Wednesday night 7.30-10.30pm with 1:1 personal tuition available. Every 3rd Friday in the month dance with top line groups and DJs. For more info call Andrew and Donna on 01354 776229 or Terry 07979 442920.

March Triathlon Club: Meets every Thursday 8-9pm for swim training at the George Campbell Leisure Centre. All abilities welcome. For more information, please contact Mary-Anne Short via email at shortbyname@gmail.com

March Probus Club: Meets every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at March Conservative Club as a group of semi or fully retired gentlemen; 10am for a cuppa and a chat and then at 10.30am we have a guest speaker for approx 45 mins covering a wide range of topics. To find out more please contact Dr Allan J Whyte (Club Secretary) on 07979 887110 or pop in.

March Bridge Club: At the Braza Club, Elm Road, March. Every Thursday 1.15 -4.30pm. Cost £3 per session. Please contact George Jupp on 01354 652586 or 07963 771179.

March U3A: For people in their third age; retired or not in full time employment. Meets on the second Wednesday of each month at the Braza Club, Elm Road, March at 2pm. There is a range of activities available in groups run by U3A members. New members are very welcome. If you would like any more information please email march.u3a.enquires@gmail.com

March Marlins Swimming Club: We swim every week night and can offer membership to swimmers of all ages and abilities from stage eight to masters. We are a friendly, competitive swimming club. Contact us for a free trial session at swimatmarlins@gmail.com

The Other Art Group: Meets every Thursday afternoon 2-4pm at March Library. Membership fee is £30 for 12 weeks paid quarterly. For details contact March Library on 03450 455225 and your details will be forwarded to them.

March Rifle Club: meets at the indoor range, Upwell Road, March, every Tuesday evening from 7pm-9pm to shoot 0.22LR target rifles. Also potential for air rifle shooting. Please contact us prior to first attendance. Email info@marchrifle.club

The March Society: March’s civic society – promoting and conserving the best of March’s built and natural environment. Events at March Library every third Wednesday at 7pm with guest speakers on the past, present and future of March. Concerned with March geography history nature and architecture. Entry is £2 members, £3 visitors. Visit www.themarchsocietychessck. co.uk or email info@themarchsociety.org.uk

March Dog Training Club: Meets at Tower Hall, Maltmas Drove Fridaybridge PE14 OHW every Wednesday evening. Membership is £5 per year and classes are £3 per session. Puppy class commences at 6pm. For more information of other classes please contact Maggie on 01354 657185 or 07514 882509.

March Bears Rugby Club: Be part of a thriving, supportive, and fun-loving community that celebrates rugby in all its forms. Reach out on social media: @marchbearsrugby on Facebook and Instagram or email info@marchbearsrufcorg.uk to learn more.

Do You. Dance?: Every Wednesday evening from 7.15pm8.15pm at St Wendreda's Church Hall, 11 Church Street, March PE15 9PY. A small disco with a DJ, where you can come and dance your socks off for an hour to popular music from all decades. It's exercise you don't know you're doing! Adults only. Entrance fee is £3 each. Please contact Tricia on 07772 626233 for more information.

The Green Party: Meets on the second Tuesday of each month at The Rookswood Club, 27 West End, March at 7.15pm and on Zoom quarterly. For more details, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FenlandNECAMBSGreens

March Wildlife Group & March and District Woodland Group: Meets regularly at 10am on the 1st Saturday of each month at Gault Wood for work parties. For details contact marybarrington123@gmail.com

WHITTLESEY LIBRARY

Magic Workshop

Start you career in magic by attending this fun workshop with professional magicians Kane & Abel Learn card tricks, make things vanish and wow your friends!

TUESDAY 29 OCTOBER 2.30pm

Suitable for: Adults and young people aged 8+ yrs

Running time: 2 hours Tickets: £6.50 / £3

WISBECH LIBRARY

Havisham (Theatre)

Discover the dark, untold backstory of Charles Dickens’ most Gothic character in this stunning and captivating play by Emul8 Theatre

FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER 7.30pm

Suitable for: Adults & young people (12+ yrs)

Running time: 75 minutes Tickets: Pay what you can (booking required)

WHITTLESEY LIBRARY

The Opera Dudes Christmas

A show full of seasonal cheer with wonderful singing, audience participation and ridiculous sketches. Features operatic showstoppers and Christmas favourites.

SATURDAY 7 DECEMBER 7pm

Suitable for: All ages Running time: 90 minutes Tickets: £8.50 / £5 / £4

For tickets and details visit www.library.live/the-library-presents

www.wisbechtennisclub.org.uk

wtcmembership@hotmail.co.uk

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REPAIR

Our onsite workshop offers a fully comprehensive repair service for your caravan or motorhome.

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