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Welcome to your August issue...
This month we celebrate the twentieth anniversary of ‘Discovering Magazines’. In two decades, a staggering total of 709 issues will have been delivered across our wide distribution area of South Lincolnshire and North Cambridgeshire. The ‘Discovering Magazines’ journey began in August 2004 with ‘The Whittlesey Advertiser’ which was to merge with ‘Discover Whittlesey’ and relaunch as ‘Discovering Whittlesea’ in 2009.
September 2011 saw ‘Discovering Bourne’ established by publisher Andy Armstrong. Two years later, “Discovering March” appeared, followed in July 2015 by “Discovering the Deepings”, and “Discovering Wisbech” in May 2018. Andy Armstrong is “still going strong” as Operations Director. In July 2013, I became Sales Director, and a year later, John Schwarz was appointed as Group Editor. Since then, our happy team of talented designers, sales and accounts personnel and willing contributors have worked tirelessly to produce magazines which serve to inform, advise and entertain; we now publish and distribute over 48,000 magazines a month!
Here's to the future!
Claire x
The Summer of sport continues with the Paris Olympic following on from Wimbledon, the British Grand Prix and The Open... and of course the ultimately disappointing Euros.
Back in the day, the Olympic Games was probably the major sporting event in the world but I think it has now been superseded by the football World Cup.
When I was younger, British athletes, such as Seb Coe, Steve Ovett and Tessa Sanderson, were household names, but I’m not sure that’s the case now with modern competitors.
Also, some of the sports that are now featured aren’t the traditional ones normally associated with the event, with ‘breaking’ – break dancing – skateboarding and surfing now featured.
Why not go the whole hog and bring back some old school day favourites such as the ‘Egg & Spoon’ and ‘Sack’ races, and one of my own personal specialisms ... ‘Throwing the cricket ball’?
Finally, as 'Discovering Magazines' celebrates its twentieth anniversary, I would just like to thank everyone for their support, from fellow staff members and helpers to advertisers and obviously you the readers...
Account Manager Paula Kirtland: 07903 776211 marketing.discoveringmagazines@gmail.com
Publisher and Sales Claire Saberton
Sales Sally Anne Davis: 07737026594
Ops Director Andy Armstrong
Editor Andy Hurst: editor.march@discoveringmagazines.co.uk
Accounts Sarah Brooks: 07564 966452
accounts@discoveringmagazines.co.uk
Design Andy Beavis | Sarah Gumbley | Graham Copestake | Dan Handley
Discovering Wisbech is published by
team
PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING STORES IN NORFOLK
Perhaps it’s time you paid us a visit!
Reeds in Downham Market is a family-owned business renowned for its service. For over 100 years we have offered a huge choice of quality, leading brand products at very competitive prices covering every room in the house. It is an amazing hidden gem with no less than 27,000 sq.ft. full of
While you’re here visit our very popular 75 seat café, with a dog friendly area, offering delicious freshly made food and drink. Check out our website reedshomestore.co.uk | Find us on facebook for the latest updates
National Allotment Week (August 12th –18th) celebrates these green spaces and the benefits they have for our health, our wellbeing and the planet! This year’s theme is Celebrating Biodiversity on UK Allotments.
Encouraging Pollinators and Wildlife
To encourage “good” wildlife you could:
• Swap the use of chemicals for natural remedies.
• Build or create different habitats such as insect hotels, hedgehog homes, worm farms and bird boxes.
• If space allows, create a small pond.
• Grow a mix of different plants to provide food, shelter and habitats for wildlife.
• Grow some nectar-rich flowers such as lavender, geraniums, sage and oregano.
Pest and Disease Control
• Keep soil healthy.
• Rotate crops.
• Never compost infected crops.
• Use natural remedies to tackle pests –(plenty of ides to be found online).
Companion Planting
• Varying your planting, whether vegetables, fruit or flowers, which helps prevent the build-up of soil diseases.
Jobs for August include:
• Potted strawberry runners can be transplanted into a sunny, fertile spot where you have not grown them for at least three years.
• Cut to the ground all summer fruiting raspberry canes that have borne fruit this year and tie in the new green canes that will produce next year’s fruit.
• Outdoor tomatoes should have their growth stopped by the middle of the month – nip out the leading growing shoot just above the highest truss. Continue pinching out and do not forget to provide support for the plants as they become more heavily laden – also for cucumbers, peppers and even fruit trees.
• Keep earthing up potatoes to prevent the tubers being exposed.
• Dig over any spaces that have been left from harvesting crops, where you could grow green manure such as clover or vetch.
• The planting of vegetables and flowers/plants together that will be beneficial for the others’ growth. It may be that one will deter certain pests that will likely eat the leaves of the other. They may help with pollination and to fight disease. Some will help to attract pollinators.
• Some ideas: Mint (deters pests with its strong aroma), Nasturtiums (deter blackfly, Cabbage white butterfly and other pests), Allium family (deter carrot fly and pests due to their pungent smell) and radishes (deter pests and aphids).
Soil Health
Create a fertile, biologically active soil by:
• Adding well-rotted natural materials, such as homemade compost.
• Pinch out the tops of climbing beans when they reach the top of the canes as this will encourage growth lower down.
• As space becomes available, you can plant overwintering crops such as Brussels sprouts, spring cabbage and winter cauliflowers. Cabbage seeds can be planted in a temporary bed or in pots or modules – cover them with nets to keep off the birds and caterpillars.
• For harvesting in the autumn and beyond, you could sow lettuce (keep out of the glare of direct sun), rocket, spring onion, radish plus winter salads, including mibuna, mizuna, mustard leaf and lamb’s lettuce.
Now, let’s hope for some summer sunshine!
Create ‘Kerb Appeal’ and Add Value to Your Home
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
RECOMMENDATIONS:
❝ … 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.
Service List
• All general plumbing repairs undertakenbig or small.
• All domestic heating repairs undertaken.
• All domestic boiler fault finding undertakenboth gas and oil.
• Landlord Gas Safety certificates
• House purchase inspections of plumbing and heating
• Boiler replacements.
• Central heating power flushing.
acoleplumbing@btinternet.com
Leadwork
Re-pointing Chimney Stacks
STAYING SAFE DURING THE SUMMER HOLS
The six-week school summer holiday this year will come with glorious summer days, the children will be spending hours playing outside and all will be well with the world.
OK, reality check. As a parent of a teenager and an eight-year-old wannabe teenager, I know full well that there is no guarantee that the weather will be perfect and let’s face it, it’s far too expensive trying to keep them entertained at indoor activity centres all the time. In addition, many parents still need to work and/or keep up with the daily chores. Therefore, it’s inevitable that children will be spending a lot more time on their PCs, tablets and phones during the school holidays. And with this comes the worry of how to monitor what they are doing online and how to keep them safe.
• Ask your children to tell you about all the email and instant messaging accounts they are using and what the passwords are so that you can monitor their activities. Don’t feel guilty about it - you’re only giving them a false sense of security by letting them believe that privacy exists on the Internet.
• Ask them to ‘friend’ you on all their apps. Expect an argument or two (or three!) but stress that this is one of the conditions for being allowed to access social networking sites.
Use the:
• Parental controls and privacy features on social networking sites, and the safety options on Google and other search engines.
• Install monitoring apps such as Microsoft Family, iOS (for Apple), Circle, Google Family Link (for Android) and Net Nanny, which help you monitor web activity, block inappropriate content and set a time schedule or limit how much internet time is allowed each day.
• Stress the importance of not clicking on links in emails or instant messages, of using strong passwords (which they should share with you) and of not turning off antivirus programmes and firewalls.
• If your children wish to share photos and videos online, make sure they are aware of what kind of photos are appropriate to share, and who they are okay to share with. Explain that once photos have
been posted, they are there to stay. Even if you delete the image, it is possible that someone can screenshot it before you do and repost the screenshot.
• Discuss how to maintain online safety when invited over to a friend’s house as some parents may not have the same security settings as you.
• Check any age requirements required by social media sites (most require users to be thirteen or over). Encourage them to use the privacy tools on the services they use, so that the content they post is only available to people they know and trust in real life.
We cannot recommend enough that parents check out the Internet Matters website. It has a wealth of incredibly useful information about online safety as well as guidance on how to tackle online issues that may arise: https://www.internetmatters.org/
Finally, remind children on a regular basis that if they believe that something isn’t right whilst they are online, to TALK TO A RESPONSIBLE ADULT
PHILIP AT DIAMOND BYTE
WAYNE’S WORLD KEEPS GROWING
DOORBRITE Ltd has enjoyed great success since being started by former retained March fire fighter Wayne Marshall less than five years ago.
Wayne, a retained fire fighter for twenty years, started the company after being laid off from his full-time job as a despatch manager and has seen it develop into an award-winning business, having claimed the Innovation Award at the 2024 Fenland Business Awards.
The company has recently moved into impressive spacious new premises at Platinum Business Park, March which enables all parts of the business to be located under one roof and is continuing to add to the services it offers.
Wayne said: “I wanted to get everything under one roof and have already built a new spray booth and will add a drying room to sit alongside our showroom, store and offices.”
After starting out by painting exterior doors and garages, DOORBRITE has now added many other services to its portfolio to become a major multisurface coating specialist, attracting customers nationwide. Wayne has recently qualified in Venetian plaster and has also set up a training centre for people to learn the art of granite spraying – the only one of its kind in East Anglia.
Wayne said: “The new premises are perfect as they give us room for growth. I think it is important for us to regularly add new services to our portfolio and Venetian plaster is an exciting new service we can now offer customers.”
DOORBRITE specialises in kitchen cabinet paint spraying and all other types of domestic doors and window paint spraying, ranging from internal doors, wardrobes, bedroom furniture, garages, ceramic tiles, worktops and more.
Other services include the fitment of new door furniture and kitchen cabinet cupboard handles. Wayne believes it is important where possible to renew and recycle so that customers do not need to buy new: “We want to enable people to be
able to re-use what they already have which will not only help save them money but is also good for the environment as it helps sustainability and reduce landfill.”
He is supported in the business by his wife Kay and brothers Tom and Ben Hunter. As City and Guilds trained, DBS cleared, Checkatrade and Trustpilot members, the company is fully insured and provides risk assessments and method statements upon request.
As well as attracting customers through Discovering March, DOORBRITE picks up a lot of business via regular social media channel posts and also through the word of mouth from satisfied customers.
Wayne said: “I can’t believe how well the business has developed. I love what I do and can’t wait to provide even more surface solutions for our customers in the future.”
DOOBRITE LTD, which is the home of KITCHENBRITE and OVENBRITE LTD, is now based at Unit 1, Platinum Business Park, Thorby Avenue, March PE15 0AS. Tel: 0800 999 1070
Email: info.doorbrite@gmail.com www.doorbrite.co.uk
Multi-surface paint spraying specialists
• Kitchen Cabinets • UPVC
• Spray Granite for Worktops
• Venetian Plaster • Ceramic Tiles
• Wet Room Fitted Furniture and so much more! Unit 1, Platinum Business Park, Thorby Avenue March PE15 0AR
0800 999 1070 info.doorbrite@gmail.com
Strawbe y Ice Lo ies EASY-PEASY
The kids
Ingredients
150g fresh strawberries
90g caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
500g tub of low-fat natural yogurt
100g melted white chocolate
60g sugar balls or strands
You will need
6 or 8 ice lolly moulds
6 or 8 ice lolly sticks
will love these
(adults too!) and they are so simple to make. Perfect for those sunny afternoons spent in the garden...
Method
1 Put the strawberries, caster sugar and vanilla extract into a bowl. Crush the fruit until roughly broken up and the sugar has dissolved.
2 Mix in the low-fat natural yogurt. Pour into the ice-lolly moulds and freeze. Once frozen, take them out of the moulds and dip the tips of the lollies in the melted white chocolate, then quickly dip them in the sugar balls or strands. Serve as soon as they set!
Tip: You could swap the strawberries for other fresh berries like blackberries or raspberries instead!
• Free hearing tests
• State of the art rechargeable hearing aids which are compatible with all mobile phones
• Effective painless wax removal
You can visit us at one of our local clinics:
• Noise protection “When someone in the family has a hearing loss, the entire family has a hearing problem.”
Tel: (01480) 300955
Email: info@clearerhearing.co.uk St Ives Practice 13 The Broadway St Ives PE27 5BX
(01945) 466386
For information on any of the ser vices we provide, or to discuss your specific requirements, please get in touch.
s the warm weather of summer beckons, it's time to shed our winter boots and slip into sandals and flip-flops. But before you expose your feet to the world, it's important to give them some extra TLC. Proper foot care during summer can help prevent discomfort, pain, and potential foot problems. Here are some podiatry tips to share for keeping your feet in top shape this season.
Hydration is key: Staying hydrated is not only vital for your overall health but also for your feet. Dehydration can lead to dry, cracked skin. Remember to drink plenty of water to maintain adequate moisture levels.
Nail care: Trim your toenails rounded at the end to prevent ingrown nails. Avoid cutting them too short as it may increase the risk of infection. Regularly inspect your nails for discoloration or thickening, which may indicate a fungal infection.
Sunscreen for feet: Apply sunscreen generously to your feet, especially the tops and sides. Don't forget to protect the delicate skin on your feet from harmful UV rays to prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Moisturise daily: Keep your feet moisturised to prevent dryness and cracking. Choose a goodquality foot cream and apply it after showering or before bedtime. Focus on areas prone to dryness, such as heels and soles.
Proper footwear: Choose open-toe shoes that provide adequate support and cushioning. Look for styles with arch support and avoid
fl at, unsupportive fl ip-fl ops. Remember to wear breathable socks with closed shoes to prevent excessive sweating and fungal infections. Preventing fungal infections: To minimise the risk of fungal infections or verrucae, avoid walking barefoot in public areas like pools, gyms, and communal showers. Wear flip-flops or water shoes in changing rooms to protect your feet from potential infections.
Foot hygiene: Wash your feet daily with warm water and mild soap. Pay special attention to the spaces between your toes, where moisture can accumulate, leading to bacterial or fungal infections. Remember to dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes.
Regular exercise: Keep your feet active and healthy through regular exercise. Walking, jogging, or performing simple foot stretches can strengthen muscles, improve circulation, and reduce the likelihood of foot pain and injuries.
Remember to seek professional care if you experience persistent foot pain, swelling, or any concerning symptoms, don't hesitate to consult a podiatrist. Our team of podiatrists can provide a proper diagnosis, recommend suitable treatment, and offer expert advice personalised to your needs.
By following these summer foot care tips, you can enjoy the season to the fullest while keeping your feet healthy and happy. Embrace the warmth, stay active, and step out confidently with feet that are ready to take on any adventure!
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March Podiatry Practice Ltd 47-49 High Street, March PE15 9JJ Tel 01354 651200
March Podiatry Practice Ltd
47-49 High Street, March PE15 9JJ
March Podiatry Practice Ltd 47-49 High Street, March PE15 9JJ Tel 01354 651200
www.marchpodiatry.co.uk
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
then please supply 100 words including their name, age, occupation,
and funeral details and a short tribute, plus a head and shoulders image, and we will feature it in the magazine for just £29 an insert.
For more details, contact Paula Kirtland on 07903 776211 or email: marketing.discoveringmagazines@gmail.com
Lyncroft Care Home
Lyncroft Care Home provides the kind of care we’d want all of our loved ones to receive. Our home is beautifully furnished, whilst retaining a warm family atmosphere that makes Lyncroft feel extra special.
We host the Devika Dementia Day Centre for those living in the local area every Friday from 10am – 3pm. The Day Centre provides dementia-friendly activities on a secured floor and is ideal for those living at home to give family carers a break and an opportunity to meet others in a similar situation.
Whitings LLP, Chartered Accountants, Welcomes New Partner and Associate
Whitings LLP has announced the appointment of Ben Beech to Partner at its March office and Rob Dedman to Associate at its Bury St Edmunds office.
Ben joined Whitings LLP in 2011 as a graduate trainee. After qualifying as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, he specialised in Audit and Corporate Services, working with many of the firm’s largest clients. Ben shared: “I am thrilled to be appointed as Partner at a dynamic, fastgrowing firm which takes pride in developing talent internally. Becoming a Partner took hard
work, determination and support from my colleagues. I look forward to working with my fellow Partners to continue to deliver growth and a personable service to our clients.”
Partner at the March office and member of the Firm’s Executive Board, Andrew Band, said Ben’s appointment “will not only enhance our service delivery to our clients in the Fenland region, but his input will also influence the strategic direction of the Firm for the future.”
Rob joined Whitings LLP as Senior Tax Manager in 2023, having worked for firms and for HM Revenue and Customs as an
Inspector of Taxes and is a CTA and STEP qualified tax advisor. Rob stated: “I am delighted with my appointment and look forward to helping Whitings LLP grow their offering for private clients, their families, Trusts, Estates and non-contentious Probate matters. Having worked here for just over a year, I am excited to see what the future brings.”
Chris Ridgeon, Partner at the Bury St Edmunds office and Chairman of Whitings LLP, said he is “delighted to have Rob as an Associate. His appointment will strengthen the delivery of our personal tax compliance and advisory offering to our clients.”
The Certainty Of Uncertainty Continues
Scott Bishop
Individuals and businesses alike prefer certainty, however this is perhaps something there hasn’t been since COVID-19 and what that brought to us. Now, with a change of Government and their manifesto titled “Change” I think that we can all be certain that the uncertainty will continue.
With the Finance Act 2024 having only just been given Royal Assent on 24 May, we expect to see a further Budget later this year, at which point there are expected to further changes, although these should be very limited if it follows the promises made in the election campaign.
However, there does need to be clarification as to the manner in which the rules governing Furnished Holiday Lettings are to be treated in the future.
Then there is the matter of how to make business more competitive, to encourage investment and growth. Will this mean that taxes will be reduced? or tax bands amended to allow for the country to become more competitive on a global scale? This is certainly important for many businesses in this area.
Speculation will increase as to which taxes are to rise and this again will bring further uncertainty, planning therefore becomes
much more difficult, and the timing of any decisions will be increasingly important.
Ensuring that you have the right advice from those that are advising you is imperative, but ensuring that the advice is also timely is paramount.
With our experience of the region and its businesses we have a wide and experienced team who ensure that they are on hand to assist all of our clients, whether it relates to the correct payment of tax or when to purchase plant and machinery, to succession planning, raising finance, dealing with HMRC and probate matters to complex company restructures.
We are certain that we are best placed to assist all of our clients on the subjects that do affect them and are going to affect them in the future. If you would like more information or advice, contact your local Whitings LLP office today.
Scan the QR code to visit our website today!
Information that features in this article is correct at the time of writing.
FENLAND FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
By Bridget Hunter
We cover the Fenland including South Lincs, North Cambs and West Norfolk.
INTERESTING FACTS
BLACK CATS: It is thought to be lucky if a black cat crosses your path. During the Middle Ages they had a very different reputation being thought to be companions of witches. The royal approval of King Charles 1 gave them the royal seal of approval. He prized his black cat so greatly he assigned a guard to protect it. When his cherished pet died, he complained that his luck had run out. Spookily the very next day he was arrested and charged with treason.
MONTHLY MEETINGS
Held at Wisbech Library 7pm-9pm on the fourth Thursday of each month. No meetings in August or December, non-members are welcome to attend our meetings. Our July outing to St Leonard’s Church in Leverington was most enjoyable and very interesting. We enjoyed a demonstration of bell ringing and toured the lovely old church of St Leonard’s. Saint Leonard was a nobleman of the Frankish (Germanic tribe) and converted to Christianity on Christmas Day in the year 496. Saint Leonard is patron saint of many things, including that of pregnant women in childbirth labour. Because his prayers helped the Queen of Franks safely deliver her male child, the King gave him a portion of royal lands. He used the lands to found a monastery. Saint Leonard devoted his life to the people of his village.
EVENTS TEAM
Our team attended Newton in the Isle village event on July 6th. The display drew a lot of interest. It was of special historic village places and their history plus some family history of people involved in the events of the past. Our team researched the history of the village school, the village church and the village hall and the people who founded them. If
you have an event coming up remember our team creates special displays to suit the event you are holding. If you have an event, please make contact and we will be happy to create a special display to bring added interest to your event.
COMPUTER RESEARCH SESSIONS
In Wisbech Library on the FIRST TUESDAY of each month from 10am-12noon. Using all the wonderful research resources available in the library, our team of researchers help visitors with their family research, no matter where their family came from. We have found some very interesting stories for our visitors. And on the SECOND MONDAY of each month from 11am-2.30pm we are in the restaurant at Baytree Garden Centre in Hilgay near Downham Market. We offer help with family research to visitors to the garden centre. If you need our help and are unable to attend, please contact us, see details below. Please note. We are willing to go to other venues if Wi-Fi is available. Just call and we will try to arrange it.
SPEAKERS
Our speakers are available to attend groups and clubs to give talks in the local area. A few of the groups we will be attending in the next few months are a WI in Elm, a U3A meeting and a retirement group. Many talks are very amusing as well as informative plus a display of items for added interest.
Talks include the following: ‘The Fun of Family History’, about a long journey by land, air, and sea to find her roots; ‘My Naughty Great Aunt Eliza’, unravelling a story of lies and deceit; ’The Ups & Downs of Being a Magistrate’, a real-life experience; ‘The Sad Tale of The Blacksmiths Family’, the story of a great, great grandfather; and ‘We’re going down the pub’ a ‘local’ history talk about the many pubs in the area. .
For further information on any of the above please phone me on (01945) 587723. Email: bridget25hunter@btinternet.com
Are you interested in volunteering?
Are you interested in volunteering? COUNCIL REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO RESIDENTS AFTER LEGAL BATTLE LOSS
If so, come along to one of our Volunteer Cambs’ coffee mornings to find out about the many opportunities available across Fenland.
Fenland District Council members have reaffirmed their commitment to representing residents’ views on the Wisbech incinerator, despite the council losing its legal battle to halt the development.
Simply turn up for a coffee and a chat, and a chance to meet one of the ‘Spotlight Organisations’ and learn about the opportunities available to you.
Meetings
Following expert legal advice, and in keeping with the council’s pledge to challenge the incinerator at every turn, the authority applied for judicial review of the Secretary of State’s decision to award planning permission for the Medworth Energy from Waste Combined Heat and Power Facility at Algores Way, Wisbech.
Wisbech: Third Thursday of the month, 10am – 12pm at Trinity Methodist Church Cafe
Whittlesey: Third Friday of the month, 10am – 12pm at Whittlesey Library
March: Third Wednesday of the month, 10am – 12pm at March Library starting 17th July
Chatteris: Third Monday of the month, 10am – 12pm at Chatteris Library starting 16th Sept
Are you a voluntary organisation looking for volunteers?
However, a High Court judge recently refused the judicial review application leading the council to seek further advice of experienced King’s Counsel barristers and considered all options available to them.
the prospect of overturning the judge’s decision is not realistically possible.
If so, we would love to hear from you. We are holding regular organisation meetings in all four Fenland market towns to help you with recruitment, and an opportunity for you to share your successes and challenges with other local organisations.
To complement the above, we are arranging Volunteer Fairs in the area. Our first one is in Wisbech on 30th August, at Wisbech Tesco, between 10am and 3pm – we would love to see you there.
The legal advice was very clear that there are no further realistic grounds to oppose the incinerator decision with a judicial review. Therefore, after much reflection and difficult discussions, the council has resolved that although entirely justified to challenge the case to this point,
volunteercambs.org.uk
Do pop in to say hello!
For further details please contact Rima Simkute: rima@cambridgecvs.org.uk 07709 741 962 or Sarah Hall: sarah@cambridgecvs.org.uk 07871 281 565
In a joint statement, council leader Cllr Chris Boden and Wisbech members Cllr Steve Tierney, Cllr Susan Wallwork and Cllr Sam Hoy, said: “Whilst the judge has brought our legal challenge to an end, we will continue to seek alternative avenues to address the concerns raised. We will work tirelessly throughout the development consent process to ensure that our community’s voices are heard and that the effects of the incinerator are minimised to the greatest possible degree.”
FENLAND VOLUNTEER BLEND
Pop along to our friendly group to chat about volunteering in your local community!
We are meeting every month in March, Wisbech, Whittlesey and Chatteris. 10:00am - 12:00pm.
Refreshments provided.
For more information
Call: 07709741962
Email: rima@cambridgecvs.org.uk
We look forward to welcoming you!
volunteercambs.org.uk
LOCAL CLUBS AND GROUPS
Wisbech u3a is an organisation which aims to meet the social, recreational and creative needs of those no longer in full-time employment. We meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month in St Peter’s Church Hall, Wisbech at 2-30pm. We have lots to offer you so please come along and find out for yourself. www.u3asites.org.uk/wisbech
Wisbech & District Flower Club. See beautiful flower arrangements being made by local and national demonstrators. Meets every 3rd Monday of the month at St Peter's Hall, Wisbech. More info 07949 443 251
Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum hold monthly talks at Wisbech Public Library. For further details, please see Facebook Friends of Wisbech and Fenland Museum, www.wisbechmuseum.org.uk or email: friendsofwisbechmuseum@outlook.com
Royal Air Force Association Wisbech Branch
Welcomes everyone to sample our newly refurbished club. For your comfort and enjoyment we offer: Fully air conditioned • Free Wi-Fi • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks • Choice of hot drinks and snacks • Pool table • Meeting facilities by arrangement • Quiz night, games night, entertainment • Friendly welcome • New members always welcome, not required to be ex-Forces. Opening Hours: Thursdays/Fridays 7pm till 11pm | Saturdays 11am till 2pm and 7pm 11pm. rafawisbech.co.uk Situated at 22 Lynn Road PE13 3DJ
Trinity Carpet Bowls Club
All ages and abilities welcome
Meet at Trinity Methodist Church -17 Church Terrace (next to The Wheatsheaf Inn) Tuesdays 13.30 - 15.30 1st session free £3 thereafter
Contact Hazel on 07799958896
Wisbech Baptist Church Hill St by the side of BOOTS.
Our Church is open for worship every Sunday at 10.30pm and all are very welcome
Open doors is a drop in for coffee chat every Monday at 101.15pm closed Bank holidays. Again all welcome. Contact Secretary Lin Stanton 07906 938571 or wbcsecretary7@gmail.com
Wisbech NHS Retirement Fellowship
We are a group who meet once a month at the Rosmini Centre in Wisbech where we enjoy a variety of speakers and various functions throughout the year. Everyone is welcome, not just ex NHS staff. Please contact Georgie on 01945 465522 for further information
I Can’t Believe It!
Sadly, you can’t believe everything you read, whether it’s in a newspaper, a book or on the Internet.
But hopefully if it comes from a source you can trust you should be OK.
So, if the author is a famous internationally acclaimed historian who was twice mentioned in the Queen’s Honours list for her work as an historian you should be alright.
If as well as editing many history books she wrote more than 150 internationally best-selling historical books she must know what she’s talking about.
If she was Lady Antonia Fraser, surely you think that you could rely on her? But, in her book, e Gunpowder Plot, she loses the plot a bit. She mentions Wisbech Castle, which at that time was no longer in existence, it was a palace belonging to Bishop Morton of Ely, and for some strange reason she puts the castle that no longer existed in Lincolnshire and not Cambridgeshire!
e sad thing is that people will read these so-called facts and then repeat them again in their own works even though Antonia had obviously put a lot of work getting all her facts as accurate as possible. Luckily, if you come from the Fens, you know better.
But it gets a bit more scary when you read something that might be true… or not. So, let’s get the facts right about the castle. Wisbech has only ever had one castle and that was built of stone in 1078 - and it was in Cambridgeshire. ere is thought to have already been timber and turf defences there before the castle. In 1487 Bishop Morton of Ely replaced the castle with a brick-built palace and in 1656 urloe’s Mansion replaced it and then nally Joseph Medworth replaced the mansion with a Regency villa in 1816 which still exists. So, in all, there have been four di erent buildings in the same area.
But for more than ve hundred years Wisbech has not had a castle. It has had some very nice buildings but no castles. Even although dear Joseph Medworth fancied calling the
present Regency villa on the site, ‘ e Castle’. e fact that in no way, shape, or form does it look anything like a castle is immaterial, it just sounded good.
And it wasn’t just Medworth; many writers have referred to the Bishop’s Palace as a castle and even urloe’s Mansion! So, for some people there have been four castles instead of one! ere are in the vicinity of the where the castle used to be, some vaults.
What have some learned people had to say about them? Alexander Peckover, a peer and Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire who had a massive library, said: “ ey are a great curiosity and suggests that these date from the Tudor Times. ey took their present form during the time of Mr Medworth’s alterations, but there are similar vaults in Market Street...”
Another learned man, Trevor Bevis, who was a Marchbased historian who wrote a staggering 126 books about local Fen history and articles for Discovering Magazines, said: “ e atmosphere of these vaults is depressive. One of the vaults bears the unmistakable traces of having been used as a prison. It might well be that here were imprisoned Robert Catesby, the originator of the Gunpowder Plot, and his fellow conspirator, Francis Tresham; these infamous persons were certainly prisoners of Wisbech Castle.”
All this sounds good but as you will learn, it is very questionable. Not everything you read is true.
I have tried to be as accurate as possible in this and my subsequent articles and have had the help of two local historians to check the facts.
In my next article you will learn what the realities actually are concerning the vaults. I leave you with this thought: “Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are.”
Watch out for a great book about the Wisbech castle site coming out in a few months’ time from the Wisbech historian Kevin Rodgers.
Written by Chris Donald, author of ‘Wisbech’s Secret Princess’ and
‘Interesting
Right up your street for over 200 years
Looking forward to the next 200!
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