Another year upon us and I wonder whether 2023 will follow the same dramatic (at times, manic) course that we all witnessed with the year just gone.
Perhaps a bit more “calm and quiet” wouldn’t go amiss! Of course, we start with our resolutions, and here’s ours from us all at the Discovering Magazines team: We’ll strive to continue providing you with a lively, interesting, useful, and entertaining magazine every month. Please keep the feedback coming our way, and all the very best to you all for a happy, healthy, and successful 2023. Finally, a piece of advice for all you guys, seeking a quieter life: If at first you don’t succeed… do as your partner suggested to you an hour earlier!
Welcome to 2023... let’s hope it will prove to be a positive year for everyone who lives in Fenland. We have a great first issue to ring in the new year, hopefully the first of many... The Discovering team will once again be working hard to bring you all your favourite regular columns over the coming months as well as news of local activities to keep you informed and entertained throughout the year. If you have an event planned then please let us know about it and we will do our level best to include it in the forthcoming issues.
Let’s hope that when we reach December 2023 we can look back on a memorable year!
Ops Director Andy Armstrong: 07780 922214
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Design Sarah Gumbley | Andy Beavis | Graham Copestake | Dan Handley
Another Christmas has come and gone and I sincerely hope that it has been a joyful one for the majority of readers with families coming together and enjoying the most wonderful time of year.
I have no doubt many in our community have experienced yet again a memorable Whittlesey Christmas Extravaganza in the centre of the town. Our thanks and congratulations for this event must go to the small band of volunteers who meet regularly throughout the year to plan the event and to the additional volunteers on the day itself who act as stewards to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment. Sadly, Christmas is not always a happy time for those in our community who suffer ill health and are parted from their loved ones in hospital, hospice or care homes. My thanks to all those staff, doctors, nurses and care workers who have devoted their time and skills to look after others whilst being away from their own families at Christmas.
My further thanks go to Joe and Sue Jennings along with the volunteers who have manned the food bank known as Whittlesey Emergency Food Aid to ensure that adequate food and Christmas treats have been available for those in need. Grateful thanks are also due to local food stores and supermarkets for their donations of food and to the donors of cash to assist the food bank. The contact number for WEFA is 07375 143146.
Ann and I have continued our many visits to local organisations and surrounding areas to promote Whittlesey and the villages and I would like to highlight just three for readers’ information.
Firstly, we attended Peterborough Regional College to join the twentieth anniversary celebrations of the
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
Peterborough Asylum and Refugee Community Association (PARCA) where we were privileged to meet the many families who had sought refuge in our country and were now settled and contributing to our society. Since 2019, Whittlesey Town Council has been able to support Syrian refugee families and part of the proceeds from last year’s Mayor’s Dinner Dance went to the Ukrainian Relief Fund. Secondly, I attended the annual general meeting of the Phoenix Youth Provision in Whittlesey where I was most impressed with the skilled and experienced volunteers who are doing their utmost to provide proper youth facilities in our towns and villages, This is a project that I will continue to fully support, as I believe we need to invest in our young people for the future wellbeing of our society. Finally, Ann and I were delighted to be able to welcome Lorraine Chaundy to Whittlesey, who is now in charge of the Salvation Army premises in Church Street and will be rebuilding the congregation after a period of absence in the town. On Saturday, January 14th, it will be a delight to welcome back to our streets, the internationally famous Straw Bear parade as part of the revived Straw Bear Festival. The pubs and restaurants in the town will no doubt capitalise but should you prefer traditional fare by way of hot soup, bacon rolls, sandwiches, cake and good conversation then please pay a visit to St Andrew’s Hall in Parkinson’s Lane where I know you will be well received. This year, many folk will find the paying of bills increasingly difficult under the strain of increases in energy and general living costs. Please do not suffer alone, as Peel House accommodates the Citizen Advice Bureau every Friday. For an urgent appointment, please telephone the Adviceline on 0808 278 7807 (Freephone).
My best wishes to you all for a happy new year.
Cllr David K M Mason Mayor & Leader, Whittlesey Town Council
Most likely you’re feeling a bit bloated and sluggish from overindulging, a desire to shake things up a bit. So, what to do? Join a gym? Quit smoking? Dry January? Start a diet? You could, but I am here to tell you that you are wonderful just as you are!
If you do choose to improve yourself, my advice to you is do not try to run before you can walk. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to stop drinking, start running, try Veganuary…? Absolutely! But doing all these things at once is just too much. Try one thing at a time. If you are dead set on a goal for 2023, pick the one that is most important to you, and stick to it. I have, personally, just resumed abstinence from alcohol. So, will I deny myself chocolate? Absolutely not! Would I like to eat less of it? Sure! But if you give one thing up, that’s a very hard thing to do, so don’t punish yourself. Be kind and enjoy the success of that one obtainable goal.
Instead of giving something up, why not try something new? It could be something as simple
as reading before bed, going for a daily walk, or learning a new skill. Why deprive ourselves when we could enrich ourselves?
January is a tough month. It’s cold outside. The twinkle of Christmas is gone for another year. Money is tight. We have to ask ourselves, ‘Why would we choose such a difficult month to try and change ourselves?’ January is when most mental health referrals are made, and when, personally, I have struggled the most with my mental health. It is the month where we are expected to change everything about ourselves, but also the month where we need to be kindest to ourselves.
So please don’t feel pressured to change yourself. You are perfect as you are.
If you find yourself struggling this January, there is absolutely no shame in asking for help from friends, family, or your GP. And if it’s urgent, the lovely Samaritans are at the end of the phone 24/7 on 116 123.
You’ve got this. Here’s to a happy and healthy 2023!
It’s that time of year again. Many times, you will be asked, ‘What’s your new year resolution?’[ by Lucy Briggs ]
Councillor surgeries are held in Peel House at 8 Queen Street, Whittlesey from 9.30am-10.30am on the first Saturday of every month throughout 2023. Attendance should be by prior appointment only.
On Saturday, January 7th, 2023, councillors present will be David Mason (District and Town) and Eamonn Dorling (Town).
If you have any matters of concern and wish to discuss with a councillor, then please make an appointment and come along and let us know.
To make an appointment call (01733) 351296 or email clerk@whittleseytowncouncil.gov.uk by 1pm on Friday, January 6th.
Are you a sole trader? Self-employed?
And are you based within Whittlesey and District?
If you are, we would like to invite you to meet the Whittlesey and District Business Community. We are a friendly, motivated group of local business owners who meet up to support and learn more about each other’s businesses and we would love you to join us.
Not been to a meeting like this before? Why not come and say hello and see how it can benefit your business?
When: Wednesday, January 25th, 2023 6pm for 6:30pm Where: The Falcon Hotel, Whittlesey Speaker to be confirmed.
Contact: Kerry on 07879 452291 or Erica on 07572 383312 or just turn up! We look forward to seeing you there!
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
Whittlesey Town Council is to establish a Coronation Working Group to celebrate the forthcoming Coronation of HM King Charles III on Saturday, May 6th, 2023.
Representatives are sought from local voluntary groups to work in collaboration with the council to plan Whittlesey's celebration for the first coronation of a British monarch for seventy years.
Please forward the names and contact details of volunteers who are interested in working on this historic project to Town Clerk, Mrs Sue Piergianni, Tel: (01733) 351296 or email: clerk@whittleseytowncouncil.gov.uk by Monday, January 9th, 2023.
Whittlesey Conservatives held a special lunch at the Falcon Hotel where guest of honour Darryl Preston, who is the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, attended and outlined the role of his position and policing today in the county.
He answered questions from the audience who enjoyed a delicious lunch. The next event will be a quiz night in February. Checkout Facebook Whittlesey Conservatives for updated information.
Photo: Darryl Preston is pictured with Julie Windle, vice chairman of Whittlesey Conservatives. Photo: courtesy Robert Windle RWT Photography
Lip, Nasolabial Lines & Marionette Lines: £100 for 1.1ml or £65 for 0.5ml
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Prices include your initial appointment with consultation, brow mapping if applicable, first treatment and after-care, plus a top up/follow up appointment 4 weeks later. Treatments can last up to approximately 12 months, dependent on your skin type.
• Highly Qualified Staff
• Places available from the age of 3 for 2023/24
• Early Years funding available - 15 and 30 hours
• Forest School - Hands on learning experiences in the natural environment
• PE sessions led by our Specialist Teacher
• Morning, afternoon or all day sessions available
To book a place at an open session, go to www.aldermanjacobs.cambs.sch.uk under the Pre-School tab. For more information, please call us on 01733 202403.
Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs (afternoon show) ONLY 1 LEFT Weds 28th December £60
Nutcracker at the London Coliseum (afternoon show) ONLY 8 LEFT Fri 30th December £100
Strictly Come Dancing – The Live Tour (afternoon show) ONLY 1 LEFT Weds 25th January £90
Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty (afternoon show) ONLY 19 LEFT Thurs 26th January £66
Cirque Du Soleil – Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities Thurs 2nd February £105
Hamilton (afternoon show) Thurs 2nd February £112
Dirty Dancing (5pm show)
ONLY 1 LEFT Fri 3rd February £77
Abba Voyage (afternoon show) Sun 5th February £103
Mamma Mia! The Party (afternoon show) Sun 12th February £169
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical (afternoon show) Thurs 16th February £60
Kew Gardens and the Orchid Festival Sun 19th February £46
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (both parts) Weds 22nd February £140
Moulin Rouge! (afternoon show) ONLY 1 LEFT Sat 25th February £132
Peaky Blinders: The Redemption Of Thomas Shelby (afternoon show) Sat 25th February £57
The Mountbatten Festival of Music (afternoon show) Sat 11th March £80
Wicked (afternoon show) Sun 12th March £79
Brick Lane Music Hall: St Patrick’s Day (includes afternoon tea) Thurs 16th March £75
Sewing for Pleasure, Creative Crafts & Fashion and Embroidery Shows Sat 18th March Adult £33 Child £29
RHS Garden, Wisley
Ain’t Too Proud (afternoon show)
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Sat 20th May Adult £43 RHS Member £30
Thurs 25th May £70
Sat 27th May £125
Bressingham Steam Museum & Gardens Sun 4th June Adult £34 Child £32
Matilda (afternoon show)
Weds 7th June £77
Black Country Living Museum & Dudley Canal and Caverns Sat 10th June
Adult £54 Senior £52 Child £45
42nd Street (4pm show) Sun 11th June £86
Annie – The Musical (afternoon show) 14th June £62
English National Ballet Cinderella in the round at the Royal Albert Hall (afternoon performance) Sun 25th June £100
RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival Sat 8th July £65
Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth – 5 days ONLY 11 LEFT Sun 9th July £448
Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial Sat 15th July Adult £37 Child £32
Whitby Leisure Day Sun 16th July £31
Aspects of Love (afternoon show) Weds 19th July £86
Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) Weds 26th July £58
Tower Hotel, London – 4 days
Scarborough Leisure Day
ONLY 18 LEFT Fri 28th July £321
Thurs 3rd August £27
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical (afternoon show)
Thriplow Daffodil Event & Country Fair
Fri 24th March £72
Sun 19th March £77 & Juliet (afternoon show)
Sat 25th March Adult £30 Child £27
Tottenham Hotspur FC Stadium Tour Sun 26th March Adult £53 Senior £51 Child £45
The Lion King (afternoon show)
Weds 29th March £72
The Lord’s Tour Sat 1st April £58
Silverstone Interactive Museum
Sun 2nd April Adult £42 Child £35
Legoland Thurs 6th April Adult £59 Child £54
Seven Drunken Nights – The Story of the Dubliners
Sat 8th April £52
Oxford Leisure Day Sat 15th April £28
Camden Markets
Sun 16th April £30
Bakewell Market & Judith Mary Canal Boat (includes 2 course meal) Mon 17th April £55
Anglesey Abbey, Gardens & Lode Mill Weds 19th April Adult £38 Child £31 NT Member £24
Bakewell & Matlock Bath
Wroxham Barns & Southern Comfort River Trip
Sat 22nd April £26
Sun 23rd April £32
Windsor Castle Thurs 4th May Adult £58 Young Person £49 Child £47
London for King Charles III Coronation
Sat 6th May £39
Blickling Estate Sun 7th May Adult £39 Child £32 NT Member £24
Sister Act (afternoon show)
Chatham Historic Dockyard
Southend on Sea
Titanic – The Musical (afternoon show)
Weds 10th May £65
Sat 13th May Adult £46 Senior £45 Child £42
Sun 14th May £30
Weds 17th May £60
The Telford Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort – 5 days Sun 6th August £430
Liverpool FC Tour and Museum Sat 12th August Adult £51 Senior £47 Child £42
The Princess River Cruise Experience (includes 2 course lunch) Sun 13th August £48
Skipton & Canal Boat (includes 2 course meal) Weds 16th August £62
Chatsworth House and Gardens
Sat 19th August Adult £43
RHS Garden, Harlow Carr Sun 20th August Adult £38 RHS Member £28
Greenwich Leisure Day
Sat 2nd September £31
Twickenham Stadium Tour and World Rugby Museum Sun 3rd September Adult £54 Senior £49 Child £46
Phantom of the Opera (afternoon show)
Cannon Hall Farm
National Memorial Arboretum
Weds 6th September £75
Sat 16th September £35
Sun 17th September £26
The Drifters Girl (afternoon show) Thurs 21st September £68
Ramsey Park Hotel, Isle of Man – 6 days Sat 23rd September £602
Everybody’s Talking about Jamie (afternoon show) Weds 27th September £55
Alfie Boe
Mrs Doubtfire (afternoon show)
Leyburn & Masons Gin Distillery
Natural History, Science and Victoria & Albert Museums
Fri 6th October £92
Thurs 12th October £75
Sat 14th October £56
Sun 15th October £31
Regent Street Motor Show/London Leisure Day Sat 4th November £31
Hogwarts in the Snow Sat 30th December Adult £78 Child £66
If your household income is squeezed, due to the rising cost of living, Citizens Advice Rural Cambs can check whether you are entitled to extra financial support.
get
Christmas tree collected and recycled and raise funds for the Sue Ryder charity. Residents should register their tree by January 3rd by visiting sueryder.org/treepeterborough Trees will be collected from the postcodes PE1, PE2, PE3, PE4, PE5, PE6, PE7 and PE8 from January 7th-10th.
NGNPUK would like to say a big thank you to everyone who came along to its early bird Christmas fayre in November at the Eastrea Centre, raising an incredible ££2336.52.
NGNPUK fundraises for syringe drivers to be used in local communities. A syringe driver is a small, computerised machine that delivers a steady stream of pain relief and other drugs over a 24hour period. These machines can help patients remain at home with loved ones in palliative care. The group thanks everyone for their support.
Its specialist adviser can help you to claim any benefits you’re entitled to and find extra sources of income and support available to help you manage household bills and save money. It’s easy to think you might be earning too much to claim benefits, or if you’re already getting benefits, you may not realise you could be entitled to extra support.
You can drop in for an initial fifteen-minute benefit assessment between 9.30am-3pm on Friday, January 27th, 2023 in the council chamber, Whittlesey Town Council, Peel House, 8 Queen Street, Whittlesey. Attendees should bring their monthly household income details for a confidential benefit check.
Poppy appeal organiser Susan Taylor has thanked all those who helped raise funds last November. She reports that £7600 has already been banked with a small amount still to be collected and counted.
In recent years it has been challenging to find high-interest rates on cash deposits, even when tying up funds for several years. Any interest earned in a Cash Individual Savings Account (ISA) will be tax-free, but there was little fear of tax on such savings when interest rates were so low.
Recently things have changed, it is possible to get three percent or four percent without tying your money up for very long terms. I need to point out that even five percent interest is about half the rate of inflation, so it is still not wonderful!
There is a different point that I want to make: Usually, a basic rate taxpayer can earn £1000 in interest without paying tax on it (higher rate taxpayers only have half that allowance). Some savers are using fixed-term bonds to switch their cash. If held outside of an ISA, they might declare all the interest earned in the year it matures, if that is above £1000 it will be taxed –but it need not be.
What you should do is declare the interest each financial year so that your declaration
at maturity is only for interest earned in that tax year. The previous year’s declarations use the annual allowance so, depending on the amount of interest earned – it is possible to earn interest tax-free over the duration of a bond.
If this sounds complicated or outside your comfort zone, have a word with your financial adviser to clarify so that you do not pay any tax that you do not need to. In these times of rising costs and higher taxation, make sure your assets are working tax efficiently for you.
Issued by Wealthline Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results and any forecast is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The information contained in this editorial should not be construed as offering investment or tax advice.
It’s important to create a marketing strategy for your small business whether you have a team of five or twenty or you are a sole trader.
It will allow you to step back and look at the bigger picture and get everything in line which will benefit your business longer term to grow and thrive rather than jumping straight into specific marketing activities. And keep you focused on your goals and help you to budget.
Whittlesey groups and individuals were honoured at the recent Pride of Fenland Awards with Phoenix Youth Provision scooping the Volunteer Youth Group/ Youth Individual Youth Award and Army Cadet Grace Randall (pictured) an excellent runner-up. Other groups who were recognised were Whittlesey Social Dancing Group, NGNPUK, Whittlesey Emergency Food Aid and Fenland Youth Radio.
Photo: courtesy Robert Windle/ RWT Photography
A brand-new community group has been founded in Whittlesey. From an idea initiated by Robert Windle, Friends of the Manor will look at ways of enhancing the Manor area on Station Road by engaging with user groups, Freedom Leisure and Fenland District Council.
After an informal meeting in September a more formal meeting elected its officers and agreed a constitution who are: chairman Robin Sutton; vice chairman Robert Windle; secretary Julie Windle; and treasurer Richard Marson. The next full group meeting will be at 7pm on Tuesday, February 14th at the Manor where users of the facilities are welcome to attend.
Whittlesey Rifle Club has played host to some free air rifle shooting at the Manor Centre, organised by Whittlesey Sports Association and supported by Fenland Youth Radio. Many youngsters took part with great success to hit the targets under the supervision of Edmund Orwin, the Rifle Club tutor. Check out Facebook Whittlesey Sports Association and future free taster sessions.
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
Whittlesey Ladysmith WI will hold its annual general meeting at 7.30pm on Tuesday, January 10th, at St Andrew’s Parish Hall, when the president and committee for 2023 will be elected.
After the formalities, the outgoing committee will serve hot soup. Guests are always welcome to come along and meet new friends. For information, contact president Liz Phillips on 07982 584872, email: liz.ladysmith1@outlook.com
On behalf of Whittlesey Town Council, clerk Sue Piergianni has thanked all the residents and participants for their support on Remembrance Day. She offered her sincere thanks to Kevin Mckevitt, parade marshall, St Andrew’s Parish Hall for allowing the parade to form up, and Wayne Gale, Fenland Electrical, for all the road closures, and Childers for allowing use of the function room and providing a wonderful buffet for all who had attended.
Park Lane Cubers are the 2022 winners of the Whittlesey Primary Schools Sports Quiz. They won the team award by one point over joint second Coates Four Lions and Alderman Jacobs’ The Red Devils.
Nine teams of four competed for the Janette Bowden Shield which was sponsored by Whittlesey Sports Association and Fenland Youth Radio.
Whittlesey Warriors Netball Club recently converged to the Manor Field in Whittlesey for a sponsored Keepie-Uppie raising an outstanding £2118.40, which included generous donations from Danzen Logistics Ltd and Leschenault Press.
Whittlesey Bathroom &
Kitchen Studio Ltd has built up a loyal customer base since first opening more than twenty-five years ago.
The business was set up in 1996 to provide top quality bathrooms, adding kitchens to its portfolio around ten years ago.
Owner Mick Irvine said: “We are a family run business and have never looked back since we opened. A lot of our work comes from recommendations and we take personal pride in the service we provide. Around 95 percent is repeat business from customers within a twentyfive-mile radius of Whittlesey.
“Although we have added kitchens, bathrooms are still the main business activity. We are ‘old school’, we like to offer primarily British products combined with a professional and friendly service.”
The directors, Mick and Deborah, are supported in the business by daughter Louise, and two sons Wayne and Jason. They have experienced fitting teams who have been with the company since leaving school and are frequently complimented on how friendly, efficient, and professional they are.
Whittlesey Bathroom & Kitchen Studio offers a full free consultation service upon request with no obligation to purchase. It offers the complete package when choosing your new bathroom, wet room or kitchen, to make the process as simple as possible, with so many products across the board on display to help create your luxurious bathroom, wet room or kitchen.
The company believes that everyone deserves to have a beautiful bathroom that they love, without breaking the bank. That’s why it offers competitive prices on all of its services. And because it only uses the highest quality materials, customers can be sure that their bathroom will last for years to come.
When people are choosing a kitchen, they often overlook the quality of the products, getting carried away with the colour, design or style but the company says the durability of the units is the key foundation of a new kitchen. Its Sheraton kitchens are built to last, with every kitchen cabinet coming with a fifteen-year guarantee.
Wet Rooms
Mick says more homeowners are now turning towards wet rooms and shower enclosures and the company can provide stylish, contemporary shower solutions to overcome bathing difficulties. Its wet rooms can be custom-built to suit all customers’ requirements giving them style and flexibility.
The company undertakes all work from start to finish, from design to installation including:
• Removal of the existing kitchen or bathroom
• Fitting new units/worktops or bathroom products
• Wall and floor tiling work
• Plumbing work
• General building work
• Electrics
• Plastering
Contact Whittlesey Bathroom & Kitchen Studio Ltd, 8-10 Syers Lane, Whittlesey, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE7 1AT. Opening hours: TuesdayFriday, 9am-5pm; Saturday 10am-4pm. Tel: (01733) 206733; Email: whittleseybaths@aol.com; www.whittleseybathroomsandkitchens.co.uk
Here at Cannon & Co Sales & Lettings we certainly had a busy month of events in December, I love attending the Whittlesey Extravaganza, quite a tradition with our family, and nice to see so many people out and about.
I even managed a few days away to Disneyland Paris with the family in readiness for a busy January, leaving the capable team in charge.
December is traditionally a month when people focus on getting ready for Christmas; however, we had a lot of houses complete, in readiness for people to be in their new homes.
Now Christmas is out the way, this is often the time for reflection; What are you wanting for the year ahead? Did you have family over and was there enough space? It may be there was too much space and you need to downsize?
The market, despite what the news says, is still strong. We have spent a lot of time analysing data; the property industry was one of the few industries that thrived in the pandemic but that wasn’t sustainable, therefore at present we are seeing a market more in line with pre-pandemic levels.
We are still running our drop-in sessions at The Old Coffee Tavern, Whittlesey every Friday 11.30am1.30pm, why not pop in and say hello?
No matter what you are thinking, why not get in touch for a free no obligation market appraisal?
If that doesn’t suit you, we are open 6am-10pm daily. Please contact us on (01733) 641030 or email office@cannonandco.uk
If you haven’t finished your winter digging, then it is possible to finish it off when the soil is not frozen or waterlogged but use a plank of wood to stand on so as not to compact the soil. Also, a good idea when you are digging is to apply lime to the surface at 100g per square metre (3oz per square yard) especially if you grew brassicas the year before. Getting the soil prepared now will save time feeding later in the year and will often enhance crop growth and yield.
Now is the time to prepare to force your rhubarb: dig up rhubarb roots and divide them, leaving the sections on the surface of the soil for a few days to let them be frosted prior to forcing. Cover any crowns in the soil that have been set aside for forcing with an upturned bucket or flowerpot and cover the drainage holes to shut out the light.
Order seed potatoes now so that you get a good choice before they start selling out. You can collect seed trays, wooden tomato trays or egg boxes ready to chit them in.
• If you haven’t already, prune apple and pear trees but not stone fruits such as cherry and damson; they should be summer pruned.
• Spray all fruit trees and bushes with a garlic winter wash on a fine day; do not spray in frosty conditions. It won’t hurt to hold the job over to next month.
• Plant bare rooted trees and bushes.
• Clean up your plot by disposing of all the damaged and rotten crops: most of the overwintering vegetables will suffer if the conditions are wet. Also, remove any leaves as these are a perfect hide-out for slugs and snails.
• Protect overwintering plants from cold and check stakes and ties.
• Clean the shed, greenhouse, tools and linseed oil any wooden handles. Check that the watering can and buckets don’t leak and that the wheelbarrow doesn’t have a flat wheel. Seed trays and plant pots can be cleaned with a mild bleach solution to kill diseases that may have carried over to the new seedlings.
• Draw the soil up around the stalks of cabbages and winter cauliflowers to just under the first set of leaves. Check over Brussels sprouts and sprouting broccoli and support them with a strong stake to prevent them from being blown over in high winds.
• In non-freezing weather, shallots can be planted. Shallots take longer to grow than onions, but if planted now, should be ready earlier in the summer.
• Any stored fruit and vegetables need checking for rotten or damaged produce and evidence of mice.
Parent & Child Fostering is where a parent and baby stay with you at a time when they need extra support. You observe, teach, and guide the parent over a short period of time to give them the tools, confidence and independence to have the best start in life.
Felicia has had eight Parent & Child Fostering placements within her three years of fostering. She said “fostering has sat at the back of my mind for as long as I can remember. Too many children have such a difficult start in life, and I wanted to try and change that”.
Choosing nexus was a nobrainer for me. The whole team is so supportive and helpful, and nothing ever seems like too much trouble. . They also ensure my daughter is happy with having people in our home.
My social worker phoned to ask if I would consider a parent and child placement temporarily. By the time this placement ended, I knew this was the route I wanted to go down. I took a leap of faith by handing my notice in at the school and haven’t looked back. You have to be very open-minded. They might do things differently from how you would parent your child, and you have to be able to stand back and let them do things their way, as
long as it is safe. Unfortunately, sometimes these people haven’t witnessed a safe way of parenting themselves, so they don’t know any better.
I have always established a good working relationship with the mums. When they leave, they are so grateful and appreciative. Having difficult or awkward conversations with them is always quite daunting; however, if you approach the conversation in a nonjudgemental way, they will take the information on board.
Do your research. Fostering can be incredibly challenging, but seeing the difference you are making in young people’s lives, makes it’s so rewarding that it would be hard to do anything else.
Felicia and her daughter have helped many young families.
My social worker phoned to ask if I would consider a parent and child placement temporarily. By the time this placement ended, I knew this was the route I wanted to go down.
For many, the start of new year often means tackling that job that has been pushed to the back of the “todo list” – filling out their Self-Assessment form! But, as we approach the January deadline, the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging Self-Assessment customers to be on their guard against fraudsters and scams.
The warning comes following startling statistics surrounding reported scams in the twelve months to August 2022.
During this time, HMRC
• responded to 181,296 referrals of suspicious contact from the public – some 80,662 of these offered bogus tax rebates,
• responded to 55,386 reports of phone scams, reported 10,565 malicious web pages to be taken down,
• worked with the telecoms industry and Ofcom to remove forty-eight phone numbers being used to commit HMRC-related phone scams.
Criminals claiming to be from HMRC have targeted individuals by email, text, and phone, with their communications ranging from offering bogus tax rebates to threatening arrest for tax evasion.
Contacts like these should sound alarm bells –HMRC would never call with threats of arrest.
Advice from HMRC for customers:
• If someone contacts you saying they’re from HMRC, wanting you to urgently transfer money or give personal information, be on your guard.
• Tax scams come in many forms. Some threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion, others offer a rebate. Take your time and check ‘HMRC scams advice’ on www.gov.uk
• Fraudsters target customers when they know they are more likely to be in contact with HMRC, which is why Self-Assessment customers should be extra vigilant.
• The deadline for filing paper tax returns for the 2021 to 2022 tax year was October 31st, 2022, and January 31st, 2023, for those filing their tax return online. Customers who file their return online should not share their HMRC login details.
Report any suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC to 60599 and emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. Tax scam phone calls can be reported to HMRC using the online form on www.gov.uk or phone Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
busiest
yet another building and
unit on Roman Bank in Bourne. There
The past few years have been tough, but they have developed me, not only as a business owner, but also as a person, a wife, and a mother. We went from having an amazing company culture, to losing our whole team, and not knowing what to do about it. Finding the right people to fit into your company and culture is difficult, but by pushing our high standards, we have managed to rebuild an amazing and supportive work family.
There have been times when I couldn’t see through the fog, and it sometimes felt like I was treading water, without getting the chance to take a break. At first, I believed that working hard was a badge of honour. But there is only so long before this can really affect your mental health, and I’d be lying if I said my mind had not wandered to the darkest corners.
Would you be surprised to hear that the suicide rate in the skilled trades is three times higher than the national average? Consider the typical day of a tradesperson, which goes something like: Collect materials ➞ attend job ➞ visit prospective jobs ➞ paperwork ➞ sleep ➞ rinse and repeat!
And for many, this is seven days a week… is it any surprise that people want out?
To add to this, it’s lonely; sometimes the only people you will see are your supplier and clients, who may then refuse to pay or decide they only want to
pay part of your invoice for an unfounded reason. Construction is the only industry where this appears to be ‘acceptable practice’!
Our new building is currently being developed into a community for local trades to use. When it is finished, there will be workshop spaces, office spaces, event spaces, and services offered that are purely there to make those in the trades have an easier life - support in every way we can think of, including educational and mental health support.
We are building a network of allies who are helping us provide these services, for a better work/life balance for all. Don’t worry; we will still carry on providing electrical services to heritage buildings, as we love doing this.
Finally, a big thank you to our amazing clients who have supported us through yet another year.
We are now wrapping up what has been one of the
years for us yet; we have grown our team, outgrown
have now settled into a new
is no chance of us outgrowing this one any time soon!
RGE Group is the home of injection moulding expertise, specialising in tooling, precision plastic injection mouldings and product development engineering.
Since 1965, innovation and high-quality standards have been at the heart of the company’s culture allowing the family-owned business to gain knowledge and experience from all around the globe.
Kierun Ali, Recruitment Officer, said: “We are proud to announce that RGE has once again been named as one of the top one hundred businesses in Cambridgeshire.
“The Cambridgeshire Limited report by Grant Thornton UK gives a unique insight into the performance of the Cambridgeshire business community. We are delighted to have made the list for 2022, among so many leading organisations across the county.
“2022 has been a fantastic year for RGE; we have enjoyed working on some exciting projects, investing in, and growing our injection moulding capabilities, and working to create long-term sustainability.”
The company is looking to take on new staff at its Whittlesey factory, seeking candidates for a variety of positions, including product handlers, setters and apprentices.
Its products include a range of office furniture including contract chairs, arm rests and pads, gas lifts, backs, seats and mechanisms, castors, chair bases and accessories. Plus, it also supplies a range of material handling goods including crates, pallets and large container systems.
If you are interested in joining this market-leading company, then please email careers@rgegroup.com or call 01480 482506.
All our roles, with the exception of any apprentice, are on a rotating shift basis of days, evenings and nights on a two-week rotation, Monday to Friday. Apprentices are on 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Our hourly rate is competitive, starting at £10 an hour and has a 10% premium added when working nights.
If you want to be part of a successful team then this is your opportunity...
A plastic moulding company with a factory based in Whittlesey, that has a great history and more importantly, a great future!
A Cambridgeshire-based company has just been named one of the top one hundred businesses in the county.
This Holbeach-based firm are establishing a very impressive reputation for the quality of their work and the service they provide, across a wide area of South Lincolnshire and neighbouring counties. This can be clearly confirmed by the huge number of very favourable recommendations from satisfied customers on their website, www.lincolnshireresindrivesltd.co.uk, but especially on their Facebook pages.
Resin driveways are a long-lasting and easy-tomaintain option to transform the front of your home. An eco-friendly alternative, thanks to the non-toxic materials used, and available in a range of colours, a resin driveway is naturally draining, meaning no more puddles from heavy rainfall. They are highly resistant to rust, oil, corrosion, salt, and cracking, and are also the safest option, being resistant to abrasion, slipping, indentation and ignition.
The business owner explains how important it is to have a sound foundation, upon which the resin is to be applied. He recommends
❝ … the men worked very hard, they were polite and very tidy and were able to answer all questions we asked them - a big thank you to Mark and his staff - well done!” (C.H.)
❝ From my very first meeting I felt I could trust Mark to ensure a professional job would be done. The team were very hard working and a pleasure to work with.” (P.H.)
❝ Mark’s team were very professional, tidy, and really friendly - cannot fault any aspect of their work from start to finish. They have transformed the front of our bungalowcannot recommend highly enough.” (S.S.)
to his clients the method which involves the excavation of the existing surface and installation of a permeable, tarmac sub-base, before a mixture of stone aggregate and a resin bonding solution is to be applied.
Whether you are looking for something subtle or eye-catching, Lincolnshire Resin Drives Ltd are confident you will find a driveway, path or patio that fits your requirements and complements your home. Their prices are very competitive, and their service is friendly, professional, with high quality, experienced installers.
To discuss your requirements or for a free quote, please call 01406 308201 and check out their gallery at www.lincolnshireresindrivesltd.co.uk for examples of their work.
As we start another year, I’m sure many of you – like me – are reflecting on the last twelve months, wondering how it seemed to go so quickly yet marvel at how much was packed into an eventful 2022. At the same time, we’re looking to the year ahead and perhaps setting some goals, making resolutions and pledging to be better, do better, or simply feel better. This hope, optimism, and desire for continuous improvement is what is so amazing about the human spirit. Over the last month, I have met many who think of others before themselves, who go above and beyond, and who inspire me with their selflessness, tenacity, and dedication to the community. Therefore, it’s only right that we start a new year with a reminder of their generosity. Firstly, many congratulations to Kath Sansom, from March, who has received a She Inspires award in the National Agent of Change category. Kath, who founded the Sling the Mesh Campaign in 2015, has fought tirelessly to raise awareness and effect change, resulting in a string of successes for patient safety.
Congratulations too to those unsung heroes, community volunteers, and dedicated groups who were among the winners and runners up at the annual Pride in Fenland awards. Their selfless dedication to supporting others, whether through fundraising, organising events, volunteering, knitting blankets for those in need or teaching others, is an inspiration to us all. In total, eighty-three nominations were made at this year’s fifteenth annual awards, organised by Fenland District Council and the Fenland Citizen newspaper. Alan Wheeldon, June and Claud Parrish, Phoenix Youth Provision, Grace Randall,
Anna Elliott, Paul Kendall, Walsoken Community Action Group, The Friends of St John’s Church in Parson Drove, Stanley Spinks, Betty Cunningham, Sindy Cooper, Martin Scott, Colin Bedford, and Don Bradshaw – you are all truly remarkable!
There are many out there who do fabulous work, often under the radar, often unnoticed. Scout groups locally do a huge amount, so it was a pleasure to visit the 1st Doddington Scout group to discuss my role as an MP, how Parliament passes legislation and answer their wider questions. Well done to all involved and thanks also to James Langley, Helen Knowles, Jonathan Harwood and Anne Appleby who give up their time every week to enable such groups to happen. Meanwhile, it was great to see the opening of more than 30km of repaired and strengthened flood defences – the culmination of a major civil engineering project over eight years. Led by the Environment Agency and funded by the Government, with construction delivered by Jackson Civil Engineering, this scheme marks a major step forward in protecting our area from flooding. It builds on the earlier funding we secured for the £17 million repair of the Whittlesey Washes South Barrier bank flood defences. Together, these schemes show how the Government is investing in the future of the Fens, where flood protection is essential for so many homes and businesses, as well as wildlife.
Finally, it was great to catch up with James Downes and other members of the Leverington Parish Council to see the new bench dedicated to the late Her Majesty the Queen. This latest bench was made by GLW Engineering of Wisbech who have done a fantastic job. Well done to everyone involved.
Whittlesey Amateur Boxing Club River Drove, Beggars Bridge, Coates PE7 2DH. Contact Gary Morris: 07512 394975 or email: airborneaerials@hotmail.co.uk
Whittlesey Junior Football
For U7s to U16s. Visit www.facebook.com/whittleseyjuniorfc for more information or tel: 07762 538860
The Rookswood Club, Rookswood, 27 West End, March, PE15 8DP 01733 204997. Mike Wyldbore (Secretary): secretary@mdmrc.co.uk www.mdmrc.co.uk
Whittlesey Table Tennis Club
Meets at Whittlesey Christian Church, 23 Broad Street, Whittlesey PE7 1HA. Mon 6-10pm, Weds 2-5pm. Chairman: Dr Peter Hau. Call 01733 808008 or 07554 624525 or email peter@hauforensics.com www.whittlesey-table-tennis.co.uk
Gentle keep-fit class at Coates Public Hall. Fridays 10am11am. £3.50 per session. All welcome. Contact Karen Mucklin for more info on 07516 461438.
Whittlesey
Meets Mondays (term time) 6.30-8.30pm depending on ability. At Whittlesey Swimming Pool. Free Trial – to book contact manordolphins@gmail.com
Family workshops for all to be involved in. Meets every second Sunday of the month in the car park for the nature reserve Rings End PE15 0BE. Conservation for all 9.30am-12 noon. There is a meeting at the Rookswood Club on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7pm to discuss the nature reserve management and events. All are welcome (please check Facebook for any last minute changes to venue) Our next work party will be October 9th, 9.30-11.30am. Please call Hayley on 07962 337988 for more information.
Whittlesey Ladysmith WI
Meets on the second Tuesday of the month, at 7.30pm, at St Andrew's Parish Hall. For more information, please contact Liz Phillips 0798 2854872 or find us on Facebook.
Meets on the second Thursday of the month at Peel House, Whittlesey PE71AY. Contact Alison Harrison 07930 477233 or email alison.goodcompany@gmail.com
PE7 2HA. Open all year round. For more information visit www.whittleseyIbc.co.uk, or call 01733 202209 or email whittleseybowlsclub@yahoo.co.uk
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Looking for a spare part? Why not get in touch? With our contacts in the industry, we may be able to order spares in for you.
