20 reasons to visit Reeds Homestore in Downham Market. We could go on, but we’ll let you find more on your next visit.
Since 2005, we’ve been helping you create spaces that feel uniquely yours. Whether it’s the sofa you’ve curled up on for movie nights or the dining table that’s hosted family feasts, your home is at the heart of everything we do.
On your next visit, pop into our café and enjoy delicious freshly made food and drink.
REEDS Furniture, Flooring, Bed Centre & Homestore, Downham Market PE38 9DS T: 01366 382213
Open Mon – Sat 9am to 5pm
REEDS Furniture, Flooring & Bed Centre, Ely CB6 3NX T: 01353 669754
Open Mon – Sat 9am to 5pm & Sunday 10am to 4pm or online at reedshomestore.co.uk
Welcome to your April issue...
Every year I am so surprised at just how quickly, within a few weeks, we’ve moved on from those cold, dark mornings and all those high winds and storms. Blossom is now on show and summer is nearly upon us. Global warming? Ok, well just a little bit then!
I hope you find the wide range of topics included in this month’s magazine both informative and enjoyable. As ever, many thanks to all our contributors and advertisers for their hard work and for your continuing support and words of encouragement.
Good luck to our colleague, Sarah Brooks and all the other fabulous fund-raisers whose last few months of ‘training hell’ will have helped make it a ‘heavenly’ outcome on Sunday April 27th, as they tackle the formidable London Marathon!
Enjoy the Easter break and all those chocolate treats, and best wishes for a happy and healthy month to you all.
Claire x
Now, I’m not a bad bloke. I’ve got a few decent qualities, but one I definitely have not got is patience.
I can’t stand being kept waiting if I want to do something. Whether it’s hanging around for someone to get ready before I can go out, or standing in a shop queue while the person at the front looks shocked to be informed of their need to pay their bill and searches frantically for their wallet or purse.
So, I can’t imagine what it must have been like for the two NASA astronauts who due to technical problems were stuck on the International Space Station for nine months after only expecting to be in space for eight days.
Thankfully they returned safely to Earth, but what must they have been feeling during all that time confined in their mini-prison?
I would have gone mad, well actually I wouldn’t have as there would have been no way you would have got me up there in the first place. Perhaps supermarket queues aren’t that bad after all...
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HOW TO PERSONALISE YOUR PC
Are you bored of looking at the same images on your PC every time you switch it on? If so (or maybe just for a bit of fun!), why not take a few minutes to change it up a bit. Whether you are using a laptop or a desktop PC, it’s easy to change your desktop theme (i.e. background, wallpaper and sounds) on your PC with Windows 11. Personalising your desktop not only makes it more visually appealing, it can also help reduce stress, improve workflow, and make using your PC seem less of a chore.
Themes are a core feature of desktop customisation in Windows 11. A theme typically includes a set of wallpapers, sounds, cursor styles, and colour schemes that collectively give your desktop a cohesive look. Windows 11 comes with several pre-installed themes, although additional themes can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store.
It is also possible to create custom themes in Windows 11: Start by right-clicking on the desktop, select Personalise after which you can choose:
● Background. Here you can select a wallpaper of your choosing using the drop-down menu:
● Picture: Choose from a preset group of pictures. Alternatively, choose a picture from your personal library by clicking Browse photos
● Solid colour: Select a plain colour as the background for your desktop.
● Slideshow: Create a slideshow based on photos you choose from your photo library. You can even choose the frequency of the photo rotation and shuffle the order in which the pictures appear.
● Windows spotlight: This feature automatically changes the desktop background image daily using highquality, panoramic images from around the world.
Should an image not match the exact dimensions of your screen, select Choose a fit for your desktop image, which gives you several options of how you want the image to be displayed as the background.
● Colours. Add a splash of colour or choose an option to relieve eye strain:
● Mode: Choose between light and dark modes. Dark mode can reduce eye strain at night and can also save battery life on laptops. Light mode features a bright, white interface, which may be more suitable in well-lit settings.
● Accent colour: Highlight features such as the Start Bar, Taskbar buttons, links or simply choose a colour to match your personal preference or to complement the overall theme.
You will need to save any customisations by clicking Themes and then Save theme
For users with a visual impairment or light sensitivity, there are Contrast themes options, where you can choose from four different themes with high-contrast colours that make it easier to identify different screen elements.
There are many more changes you can make to personalise your PC (Start Menu, Taskbar), and we’ll cover these in our next article.
HALLAM TRAVEL STILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING SEATS AVAILABLE:
Murder on the Orient Express (afternoon show) ONLY 10 LEFT Thurs 3rd April £56
& Juliet (afternoon show) ONLY 10 LEFT Weds 16th April £73
Torvill & Dean – Our Last Dance 3 CANCELLATIONS Sat 26th April £94
Oxford Shopping/Leisure Day Thurs 8th May £30
Whitby Leisure Day ONLY 8 LEFT Thurs 15th May £33
RHS Garden, Wisley Sat 17th May RHS Member £33 Non Member £49
Mamma Mia! The Party (afternoon show) ONLY 1 LEFT Sun 18th May Tier A £235
The Princess River Cruise Experience (includes 2 course lunch) ONLY 19 LEFT Tues 27th May £53
Southend on Sea Thurs 29th May £31
Royal Greenwich Leisure Day Sat 31st May £32
Black Country Living Museum & Dudley Canal and Caverns Tues 3rd June Adult £61 Senior £60 Child £50
Aljaz & Janette: A Night to Remember
Weds 4th June £85
Bridlington Leisure Day Thurs 5th June £30
Book of Mormon (afternoon show) Fri 6th June £90
Tutankhamun – The Immersive Exhibition ONLY 11 LEFT Fri 6th June £50
Bressingham Steam Museum and Gardens Sat 7th June Adult £40 Child £35
Royal Air Force Museum London Sun 8th June £31
The View from the Shard
London Leisure Day
Fiddler on the Roof (afternoon show) Weds 20th August £78
The Emma Bridgewater Experience Thurs 21st August £85
Windsor Castle Fri 22nd August Adult £63 Young Person £53 Child £49
Tues 10th June £59
Tues 10th June £33
The Great Gatsby (afternoon show) Thurs 12th June £99
BBC Gardeners World Live & BBC Good Food Show Live Fri 13th June Adult £52 Senior £50
Hutton Le Hole (Ryedale Folk Museum) & Thornton Le Dale (Bangers & Cash) Sat 14th June £41
RHS Garden, Harlow Carr Sat 21st June RHS Member £30 Non RHS Member £43
Duxford Summer Air Show ONLY 20 LEFT Sat 21st June Adult £72 Child £28
Wroxham Barns & Southern Comfort Boat Trip Sun 22nd June £36
Knaresborough & World of James Herriot Museum Tues 24th June £39
Tower of London ONLY 12 LEFT Thurs 26th June Adult £67 Senior £61 Child £51
London Leisure Day ONLY 12 LEFT Thurs 26th June £33
Pete Townshend’s Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet (afternoon show) Thurs 26th June £96
Scarborough Armed Forces Day/Leisure Day Sat 28th June £33
Wroxham Broads & Bure Valley Railway Sun 29th June £55
Moreton in Marsh (Market Day) & Bourton on the Water Tues 1st July £33
Oulton Broad Lunch & Boat Trip Sat 5th July £58
Holt Sunday Market and Cromer ONLY 13 LEFT Sun 6th July £28
Torvil & Dean – Our Last Dance ONLY 20 LEFT Sat 12th July £84
Cromer & End of Pier Show Thurs 17th July £53
RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse Fri 18th July £57
Sandringham Flower Show Weds 23rd July Adult £45 Child £26
National Coal Mining Museum Sat 26th July £36
Hever Castle and Gardens ONLY 16 LEFT Sun 27th July Adult £49 Senior £48 Child £39
Twycross Zoo Tues 29th July Adult £44 Child £41
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical (afternoon show) Weds 30th July £78
Westminster Abbey including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Gallery Thurs 31st July Adult £70 Senior £67 Child £48
London Leisure Day Thurs 31st July £33
St Albans Shopping/Leisure Day Sat 2nd August £30
Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) ONLY 19 LEFT Sun 3rd August Adult £60 Child £49
The Festival of Quilts Sun 3rd August £44
Bletchley Park Tues 5th August Adult £48 Child £42
The Mousetrap (afternoon show) Thurs 14th August £75
Chartwell House, Garden and Studio Fri 15th August Adult £53 Child £43 RHS Member £33
Woburn Safari Park Sat 16th August Adult £56 Child £48
JCB Factory Tour Mon 18th August £59
North Yorkshire Moors Railway and Whitby Tues 19th August £74
Windsor Leisure Day Fri 22nd August £33
Warwick Castle Sat 23rd August £55
The Shakespeare Express Sun 24th August Adult £74 Child £56
Thursford Steam Engine Museum & Backstage Tour Tues 26th August £40
101 Dalmations (afternoon show) Weds 27th August £94
Triumph Factory Visitor Experience Sat 30th August £57
Elvis Evolution – The Immersive Experience Sun 31st August £94
North Norfolk Railway Tues 2nd September £44
Shugborough Hall Weds 3rd September NT Members £28 Non NT Members £44
Starlight Express (afternoon show) ONLY 8 LEFT Thurs 4th September £91
Evita (afternoon show) ONLY 15 LEFT Thurs 4th September £94
Blood Brothers (afternoon Show) Weds 10th September £69
Cirque: The Greatest Show Reimagined (afternoon show) Sat 13th September £64
Brick Lane Music Hall Cockney Sing Song (afternoon show includes afternoon tea) Tues 16th September £76
Harrogate Autumn Flower Show Sat 20th September £55
Dear England (afternoon show) Thurs 25th September £74
Leonardo Royal Hotel Brighton Waterfront – 4 days Fri 26th September £392
Just for One Day – The Live Aid Musical (afternoon show) ONLY 11 LEFT Weds 1st October £79
Harewood House, Garden & Grounds, Turner & Austen Exhibitions Sat 4th October
Bury Market & East Lancs Railway Sat 11th October £44
Churchill War Rooms Sun 12th October Adult £66 Child £50 London Leisure Day Sun 12th October £33
Leonardo Hotel, Liverpool – 4 days ONLY 14 LEFT Fri 31st October £293
Mary Poppins (afternoon show) Weds 5th November £97
Here and Now – The Steps Musical (afternoon show) Thurs 13th November £77
Bakewell Christmas Market Sat 15th November £28
Russell Watson – Evolution Tour Tues 18th November £75
Ely – Christmas Gift & Food Fair Fri 21st November £34
Sinah Warren, Hayling Island – 5 days ONLY 20 LEFT Mon 24th November £462
Christmas in Dixieland (afternoon show & 2 course meal) Tues 2nd December £82
Norwich Christmas Shopping/Leisure Day Thurs 4th December £27
Stratford Upon Avon Christmas Market/Shopping/Leisure Day Sat 6th December £29
York’s St Nicholas Fair/Shopping/Leisure Day Thurs 11th December £29
*Thursford Christmas Spectacular ONLY 2 LEFT Sun 14th December £82
*Thursford Christmas Spectacular – Long Sutton Departure Sun 14th December £82
*Thursford Christmas Spectacular Tues 16th December £79
Holkham Hall by Candlelight Weds 17th December £58
*Thursford Christmas Spectacular – Long Sutton Departure Only 20 left Thurs 18th December £79
Carols at the Royal Albert Hall (afternoon show) 2 CANCELLATIONS Sun 21st December £103
Cinderella (afternoon show) Sun 4th January £75
Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures – The Red Shoes (afternoon show) Thurs 5th February £82
The Woman in Black (afternoon show) Weds 11th March £61
Potters Resort, Hopton on Sea – 3 nights Fri 20th March 2026 £533
Miss Saigon (afternoon show) Thurs 26th March 2026 £88
Fisherman’s Friends Sat 28th March 2026 £71
Belmont Hotel, Sidmouth – 5 days Sun 26th April 2026 £654
Priscilla Queen of the Desert (afternoon show) Thurs 30th April 2026 £73
Giltar Hotel, Tenby – 5 days Sun 24th May 2026 £531
Fawlty Towers – The Play Thurs 4th June 2026 £75
Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance Thurs 25th June 2026 £81
The Bodyguard Tues 14th July 2026 £79
PROPERTY MATTERS: FIRST REGISTRATIONS
Dyou know if your property is registered at the Land Registry or unregistered? If it is unregistered, will this cause a problem if you want to sell the property or leave it to your beneficiaries in their will? Is there anything you should do?
The answer is that there is nothing wrong with having unregistered title deeds – they are still valid and will prove that you are the legal owner of the property. However, we would always advise you to consider applying to the Land Registry for first registration before you sell or transfer your property as it may save time, if there are issues to resolve.
What is First Registration and why does it matter?
First registration is the process of having the title deeds to your property submitted to the Land Registry for recording onto a public register. The register will have a clear description of the property and show that you are the legal owner. The property will be assigned its own identifying ‘title number’ and the register will also record any other matters that might affect the property e.g. any rights of way the property might benefit from, details of any restrictions on the use of the property and a list of any registered mortgages.
In short, registration provides protection and can prove invaluable if someone ever challenges your ownership, or if documents are lost or destroyed. It also makes future property sales much simpler and typically less expensive.
When does First Registration happen?
While most properties in urban areas are already registered, there are still many unregistered properties, particularly in rural areas. First registration becomes compulsory when:
• You sell or transfer the property
• You mortgage the property
• You want to voluntarily register it (which often comes with a reduced fee)
The detective work behind registration
First registration involves some detective work.
Property lawyers must piece together the property's ownership history, sometimes going back decades or even centuries. They examine old deeds, maps, and legal documents to create an accurate picture of:
• The exact boundaries of the property
• Who has owned it over time
• Any rights of way or restrictions
• Mortgages or other financial claims
Common surprises during First Registration
Property owners are often surprised to discover:
• Their property boundaries aren't exactly where they thought they were
• They share ownership of certain features with neighbours
• There are historical rights or restrictions they didn't know about
• Parts of their land might be subject to manorial rights or chancel repair liability
The benefits of modern registration
Today's digital land registration system offers significant advantages over the old system:
• Online access to property information
• Faster property transactions
• Better protection against property fraud
• Clearer evidence of ownership rights
• Easier resolution of boundary disputes
Understanding first registration is crucial – not just a legal requirement but an opportunity to secure and clarify the property rights for generations to come. For help in dealing with first registration, or more information, please contact Kieren Cross on (01945) 898090 or kierencross@vinelaw.co.uk
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Challenging Times Ahead
Scott Bishop
The start of a new tax year can be quite refreshing for those in the accountancy industry, with many new challenges coming into effect for employers, employees and retired individuals alike, and here we share just a few of them.
What’s Changing For Employers?
For employers, we will see the increase in National Insurance from 13.8% to 15%, however there is more that will affect the employers with a lowering of the starting amount from £9,100 to £5,000 per year. This rate will also affect any benefits in kind received by employees.
As an employer, cashflow is a very important aspect for the business both in the short and long term. Consideration should therefore be given to this matter if you have not already done so, as we have also become aware of HMRC’s increase in action of chasing debts.
How will the employer balance the additional costs which they will incur with the need to increase profits, and how will they keep track of this?
We work alongside many businesses providing them with effective and timely advice, whether this is in the form of regular management accounts, or simply through discussions and regular contact to allow them to make the appropriate choices.
It may be that they will seek to consider other forms of remuneration during the year, whether in the form of salary, benefits, pension contributions or even shares. We regularly discuss these matters.
What’s Changing For Employees?
For employees over 21 there will be an increase in the National Living Wage from £11.44 per hour to £12.21 per hour, this of course adds a further cost to the employer but does provide the employee with an increase in pay. So here there are considerations for both moving forward.
One matter that didn’t see an increase were the personal tax allowances, and this can result with more individuals falling into the higher rate tax bracket of 40%. Again, we work with many individuals to assist with their personal finances, as cashflow is just as important for them, for example this could be relevant for certain forms of state benefits and the availability of such.
Retired Individuals
For those that have retired and are drawing their State Pensions, they will receive an increase of 4.1%, with the basic State Pension rising from £169.50 per week to £176.45 per week. However when added to other income that they receive, it may mean that they will need to pay personal tax, if they don’t already do so.
Get In Touch
Whatever your circumstances, we can help and assist by providing practical and timely advice, through our experiences we can make those challenging times ahead seem to be more manageable. For further information please contact your local Whitings LLP office today.
Information that features in this article is correct at the time of writing.
Hopefully, temperatures will rise this month and, as the days lengthen, there will be plenty to do on the vegetable patch: sowing, weeding and planting. However, beware as there is always a threat of night frosts: don’t forget to cover early sowings with fleece or cloches if frosts are forecast!
A major task in April is planting out potatoes. A rough guide would be: plant out first earlies around late-March, second earlies early to midApril, and maincrops mid to late-April. Potatoes need a sunny site, away from frost pockets, (the newly emerging foliage is susceptible to frost damage in April and May). The traditional planting method is to dig a trench 12cm (5in) deep and space the tubers 30cm (12in) apart for earlies and 37cm (15in) for maincrop, in rows 24in (60cm) apart for earlies and 75cm (30in) apart for maincrop. Alternatively, you can grow the potatoes under black polythene, planting the tubers through slits. The advantage of this method is that there is no need to “earth up” and the new potatoes form just below soil level which means there’s no digging to harvest them, they’ll lie just below the sheet.
A very useful job this month is to prepare seed beds ready for sowing. Rake over the soil when it is fairly dry to break it down into small, even particles, until you get a fine “tilth”. When sowing, if the soil is dry, water the base of the drill generously; if wet, sprinkle a thin layer of sand before sowing. If you forgot to manure in the autumn, you could still add well-rotted manure or compost but dig it in thoroughly.
You can sow several seeds indoors; chillies, peppers, celery, courgettes and summer squashes, runner and French beans, sprouting broccoli, Florence fennel, courgettes, summer squashes and sweetcorn are just a few.
Other jobs:
• Last chance to plant onion sets and sow aubergines and tomatoes indoors for transplanting out.
• Most root crops can be sown now; it is probably your last chance to sow parsnips
• You can sow the following outdoors, but under cover; beetroot, cucumbers, lettuces, turnips, oriental leaves, leeks, cabbage and salad leaves. They can be sown in pots, modules or prepared seed beds from which you can transplant them. If you grow any seedlings in trays or modules and they have grown a couple of “true leaves”, prick them out and move to individual pots or larger modules. You can also harden off young plants by putting them outdoors on sunny days but bring them back in at night or put them in a cold frame or under cloches.
• Don’t forget to regularly hand weed or hoe around seedlings as the weeds appear, as they create a lot of competition for food and moisture.
• Make sure that fruit trees, canes and bushes are kept watered as any planted in the last 18 months is susceptible to drought damage. Adding mulch around the base will help.
• Sow maincrop peas and make the last sowing of summer broad beans.
Enjoy the longer days!
•
•
•
“AHM
all the way” Mrs Marion-Russell, November 2024
Sound Advice From Clearer Hearing
TFamily Funeral Directors
Personal, caring & affordable
Advice without obligation 24 hours a day
here’s no need for people to suffer in silence if they feel they have hearing problems. That’s the message from Clearer Hearing Ltd which says people should treat their hearing just as they do their eye-sight.
Jackie Mantle, manager of the company’s Wisbech and St Ives branches, said: “Most people have their eyes tested every year and they should treat their hearing the same.”
Inclusive of all fees Chapel of Rest
The company can help people deal with a host of hearing issues, including tinnitus and noise protection, but Jackie says the most common procedure they carry out is ear wax removal.
“People shouldn’t be afraid to come in and have their ears checked; they shouldn’t sit at home in silence. We are here to give advice and have many regular customers at our Wisbech clinic, many of whom have been with us for years with some coming from as far afield as north Norfolk.”
Direct Cremation from £1395 Funerals from £2,950
Established in 2002 and with a presence in Wisbech since 2008, Clearer Hearing is a family owned independent hearing healthcare company with team of qualified and registered hearing aid audiologists.
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She said: “Wax removal is definitely the most common problem we deal with. People tend to think that if their hearing worsens they may need a hearing aid, which due to technology today are small and unobtrusive, but invariably it’s because of a build-up of ear wax.
The company’s comprehensive website –www.clearerhearing.co.uk – boasts a quick and easy hearing checker which provides a snapshot of your hearing ability to give an easy assessment and the opportunity of a priority booking should you require a full consultation.
Contact Clearer Heating Ltd at 31 High Street, Wisbech PE13 1DE. Tel: (01945) 466386; Email: info@clearerhearing.co.uk Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm.
• 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.”
Funeral Directors James and Laura are proud to be serving the community
HELPING FENLAND SCALE NEW HEIGHTS...
By Steve Barclay MP
Despite Fenland’s flat landscape, Fenrock Climbing Centre in Wisbech has emerged as a premier climbing destination, drawing enthusiasts from afar. This unique hub fosters a vibrant community for climbers of all levels, and if you haven’t visited yet then it is well worth doing so. Fenrock continues to innovate, with plans to launch Fenfort, a new section dedicated to children as young as four. This expansion promises to nurture young climbers, and I wish owners Nate and Amanda the best as they bring this vision to life. It is a wonderful facility to have locally.
On the wider sports front, exciting progress is underway with more 3G football pitches across Fenland. The Football Foundation grant, covering seventy percent of costs, has kickstarted the Estover pitch in March, a vital step in enhancing local facilities. This continues our progress following November’s £1.1 million 3G pitch opening at Wisbech St Mary Sports and Community Centre, alongside the recent £400,000 upgrade to Leverington’s changing rooms.
These all-weather football pitches extend playing hours, improve technique, and offer a consistent surface, making matches more enjoyable. None of this would be possible without the tireless efforts of Cambs FA’s Katie Critchley and dedicated club volunteers who secure the remaining funds. Whittlesey’s need for a new 3G pitch remains a priority, and I’m eager to support those efforts moving forward.
Less positive has been the lack of patient access to the new £2.1 million Wisbech Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), opened in 2023 to bring state-of-the-art diagnostics closer to home. I have discovered data showing it is massively underutilised with just a tenth of patients being seen some months compared to other months, and key services have been moved away to other areas.
The MRI scanner which helps early detection including of cancers has been moved and not returned, breaking clear commitments given by NHS bosses. X-ray services have also been moved away. Yet with Fenland having a lower level of screening than other parts of Cambridgeshire and higher health needs, this makes little sense. I will continue to work with local councillors to try and reinstate the MRI scanner and get more services offered locally, not least as travel is often a barrier for patients.
Another issue of concern has been the removal of places next year at Neale-Wade sixth form, which strikes me as a backward step. I have been working closely with parents and students to raise concerns with the Active Learning Trust regarding this decision, and will continue to do all I can to support the school.
Finally, it is pleasing to see new investment in our area such as the new Glenholme Care Home in March. It was good to join their fantastic team of local staff in purpose-built facilities for the opening. We also have had lots of local events, and whether the Fenland Railway Club Show or the recent Lego exhibition, it is great to see first-hand how Fenland has events for all ages.
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. With regular activities and outings which provide variety, social stimulation and enjoyment for residents, we ensure that every day at Lyncroft is filled with opportunities for connection and happiness.
Barton Manor Delivers Exceptional Care
Nestled in the heart of Wisbech, Barton Manor Care Home is redefining what it means to receive high-quality residential and dementia care.
Purpose-built with both comfort and style in mind, Barton Manor offers a modern yet homely environment where residents can enjoy a fulfilling and enriched lifestyle while receiving the expert care they deserve.
At Barton Manor, luxury meets practicality. The home is designed not only to provide exceptional care but also to create a warm, engaging, and vibrant community. With an array of first-class amenities, residents can enjoy a cinema room, library, sweet shop, bistro, and beautifully designed garden rooms – each space thoughtfully crafted to enhance well-being and social interaction. The scenic landscaped gardens offer a peaceful retreat, ideal for quiet reflection or spending quality time with loved ones. Additionally, the on-site hair and nail salon ensures that residents can indulge in a little pampering, promoting confidence and self-care.
What sets Barton Manor apart is its commitment to an inclusive and transparent approach to care. Residents benefit from a single, all-inclusive fee that covers every aspect of their stay – from all levels of care and support to housekeeping, gourmet meals, engaging activities, and even regular hairdressing services. This clear pricing structure ensures that families and residents alike can enjoy peace of mind, free from the worry of hidden costs or unexpected financial surprises.
Barton Manor is not just a care home; it’s a place where residents can thrive. The home places great emphasis on individualised care, tailoring support plans to suit each resident’s needs, ensuring they
maintain as much independence as possible while receiving the highest standard of care. Whether a resident is enjoying a film in the cinema, browsing the library, or socialising over coffee in the bistro, every aspect of life at Barton Manor is designed to be meaningful, engaging, and joyful.
For those seeking dementia care, Barton Manor provides a compassionate and understanding environment, with trained staff dedicated to creating a safe, stimulating, and familiar setting for those living with memory loss. The home’s thoughtful layout and design contribute to a sense of comfort and security, helping residents feel at ease while continuing to engage in the activities they love.
Barton Manor represents a new era in care home living – where luxury, transparency, and expert care come together to create a truly exceptional experience for residents. For families looking for a care home that values both dignity and indulgence, Barton Manor is a shining example of what modern care should be.
FENLAND FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
By Bridget Hunter
We serve the Fens including South Lincs, North Cambs and West Norfolk
We are a group interested in learning and sharing information about family history and are for anyone interested no matter where their family originated. We are a member of the Family History Federation and we cover the Fenland area of North Cambridgeshire, West Norfolk and South East Lincolnshire.
RESEARCHERS
One of our researchers was asked to find information about a child born in Walsoken. To the delight of the person making the request, our researcher found a baptism which answered so many questions that had been left unanswered for so many years. It was the baptism of a John FOSTER who was baptised in Walsoken Church by the minister Robert KING. The parents were named as George RAMSEY, a carpenter of Elm, and Charlotte FOSTER, a single woman of Walsoken. If you would like help with your family research why not attend one of our sessions.
RESEARCH SESSIONS
Our team of researchers is in Wisbech Library on the first Tuesday of each month from 10am12noon, offering help with family research. Visitors are welcome no matter where your family originated. Also, in Baytree Garden Centre in Hilgay near Downham Market on the second Monday of the month from 11am-2.30pm where we can be found in the restaurant. We are willing to go to other places but we do need access to Wi-Fi and we offer our research for free. If you need help but are unable to attend, please contact us.
MONTHLY MEETINGS
Meetings are held at Wisbech Library 7pm-9pm on the fourth Thursday of the month (no meetings August & December). Everyone welcome to attend, but visitors are asked to give a donation to help pay for the room. Our meetings usually include an interesting speaker on various subjects, plus refreshments and a general exchange of information and help with research. Our March 27th meeting was due to be a special one with members exchanging ideas on finding and how to display family history while on April 24th Alan JOHNSON will be our guest speaker. Non-members are always welcome.
EVENTS TEAM
The team was due to attend the Festival for International Women’s Day at the Queen Mary Centre in Queens Road, Wisbech on Saturday, March 15th. We are always happy to create a special display to suit your theme to bring added interest to your event. If you have an event coming up, please contact us and will be happy to support you.
SPEAKERS
They are available to attend groups and clubs to give talks in the local area. Our talks are very amusing as well as informative plus a display of items for added interest. They include: The Fun of Family History;’ ‘My Naughty Great Aunt Eliza;’ The Ups & Downs of Being a Magistrate;’ ‘The Sad Tale of The Blacksmiths Family;’ and ‘We’re going down the pub,’ a ‘local’ history about the many pubs in the area. Plus, other talks can be arranged.
For further information on any of the above please phone me on (01945) 587723. Email: bridget25hunter@btinternet.com
Quote ‘Discovering’ when you call us to enquire or book!
Family owned & run since 1957, Islawrffordd Caravan Park offers the very best in quality.
Situated at the southern end of the magnificent Snowdonia National Park coastline in the village of Talybont, Islawrffordd is an award winning, 5 star luxury caravan park with 201 holiday homes and 75 fully serviced hard standing touring caravan/motorhome plots, all benefitting from the very best facilities, including a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna and Jacuzzi, restaurant and bar, children’s activities and adventure play area.
Situated at the southern end of the magnificent Snowdonia National Park coastline in the village of Talybont, Islawrffordd is an award winning, 5 star luxury caravan park with 201 holiday homes and 75 fully serviced hard standing touring caravan/motorhome plots, all benefitting from the very best facilities, including a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna and Jacuzzi, restaurant and bar, children’s activities and adventure play area.
2 Bedroom Luxury Holiday Home
2 Bedroom Luxury Holiday Home
• Just a few minutes’ walk from the beach
• Just a few minutes’ walk from the beach
• South-facing decked balcony with stunning mountain and sea views
• Decked balcony with stunning mountain and sea views
• Available for weeks/mini-breaks
• Fully centrally heated
• Available for Weeks /Mini Breaks/ Weekend Breaks
• Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom
• Master Bedroom with en-suite bathroom
• Smart TVs with DVD in every room
• Smart TV’s with DVD in every room
• Fully insulated and double glazed
• Fully Insulated and double glazed
• Free wi-fi, (including Amazon Dot)
• Fully Centrally Heated
• Free wi-fi, (including Amazon Dot)
Wisbech Grammar School Where Generations Succeed
Isuppose when you look at a school, whether it’s a state school or private, you look to see what kind of reputation it has. You also look to see what type of facilities it has to o er and what its record and reputation is like.
Wisbech Grammar School has been in existence for more than six hundred years. Many generations have come and gone and you would expect there would be some interesting old pupils known as ‘Grammarians’ amongst them.
Well, we can include in the list one bishop and one archbishop. ere has also been a High Commissioner and a knighthood or two. One of the old Grammarians was the last British Governor of Martinique, another was the British Ambassador to Latvia and yet another became High Commissioner to Malta.
was a free house. He has appeared in literature and in lms, and in other places in the country he is remembered. ere are roads named after him. In Hull there is the omas Clarkson Way, and in Cambridge and Ipswich there are roads called Clarkson Road. In 2007, there was a commemorative stamp issued and in Westminster Abbey there is a tablet dedicated to his memory.
And how many schools have a sixty-eight-foot (20.5m) monument of one of its old boys stuck in the middle of town for all to see? One slightly ironic thing about this statue is the fact that it is used as the saluting point for the town’s Remembrance Day parade, even although omas was a paci st. He would have much preferred anti-war marches or meetings.
In the eld of sport, there was a chief referee at Wimbledon, an international rugby star for Scotland and a Formula 1 racing driver.
And these are just a handful of the many old boys who have achieved something special.
And sadly, we have to include fty-two Grammarians who died in the two World Wars. Perhaps we can remember Winston Churchill’s plea for ‘Jaw Jaw’ not ‘War War’ and then we wouldn’t have people dying for something they didn’t even create.
But there is one pupil and his brother who spent all their time trying to save lives. eir father was headmaster of Wisbech Grammar and they were to become very famous.
ere can’t be many schools where much of the town is named after one of its old boys but Wisbech Grammar is one that has.
ere is a surgery called the Clarkson Surgery, a group of singers called the Clarkson Singers, a private house called Clarkson House, a massive secondary school with 1400 pupils known as the omas Clarkson Academy, a tree lined road called Clarkson Avenue near to a building that used to be a pub called the Clarkson Arms. Interestingly, it
His younger brother, John, also went to Wisbech Grammar and became famous for his work freeing the slaves, so much so that both a book and a lm were made about him. He was the rst Governor of the free Sierra Leone colony with the country’s capital city, Freetown.
Although hardly known in Britain, John Clarkson who was known as John ‘Moses’ Clarkson because he led the slaves to the "Promised Land", is still remembered every year in Sierra Leone, with thanks and gratitude for their freedom.
e Wisbech Grammar School has a long history and hopefully it will be here for many more years, and what better person to lead it on but a past Grammarian, Barney Rimmer who is now headmaster? It is only right that he has the last say:
“As an Old Grammarian, I am very pleased to see the growing interest in and support from our Grammarians. We have a rich heritage and history that we are all incredibly proud of. We would like to invite all Old Grammarians, Old Boys and ex-High School Girls - famous or not - to get in touch via alumni@wisbechgrammar.com, especially with the school’s 650th anniversary approaching in 2029.”
*Many thanks to Tim Chapman for all his help with these two articles.
Written by Chris Donald, author of ‘Wisbech’s Secret Princess’ and ‘Interesting and
SLIMMING WORLD’S STAR SUPPORTERS
I’m Tina and I’ve been supporting members lose weight for thirteen years. I love the generosity of Food Optimising because I love food! My favourite part is helping members change to healthy eating habits. Slimming World is perfect for controlling diabetes, reducing high blood pressure and risks of heart attacks and strokes.
Hi, I’m Allison I’ve been a consultant for more than three years and love watching my members become healthier and happier while achieving their weight loss dreams. We all love eating what we really enjoy and never being hungry while losing weight.
Hi, I’m I’ve been a member since 2012 and a consultant since 2015. I love how the flexibility of Food Optimising fits perfectly around your lifestyle. The favourite part of my role is seeing members blossom with confidence while they’re making those healthier choices.
Magazines
Please call Paula for more information on
or email marketing.discoveringmagazines@gmail.com
MONDAYS
Queen Mary Centre, Wisbech 9am, 10.30am, 4pm, 5.30pm & 7pm
Tel Tina on - 07798894639
BLHRT is pleased to announce that it obtained its full charity status at the end January 2025, opening up new volunteering and funding opportunities. In 2027, it will be 180 years since the line was originally opened. PLEASE COME AND JOIN US help clear and rebuild the line, so it can be reopened as a heritage railway!
Bramley Line Heritage Railway Registered Charity Number 1211887
Hi, I’m Carrie and I’ve been a consultant for just over seven years and I absolutely love my role as a consultant; the plan fits around my family and work life. The best thing is seeing the confidence in members grow as they go along their weight loss journey, and the health benefits that the plan has to offer is amazing.
been a Slimming World consultant in the local and surrounding areas for nearly eight years. I love seeing how members find out how they can still enjoy food and lose weight with our Food Optimising plan, even around special occasions and events. I love seeing my members transform their lives and, in some cases, save their lives too.
www.wisbechtennisclub.org.uk
07549 263767
wtcmembership@hotmail.co.uk
Call, text or email for information about a range of membership options for individuals and family groups.
TUESDAYS
Emneth Central Hall 9.30am
Tel Carrie on - 07876636833
THURSDAYS
Outwell Village Hall, 9am
Upwell Village Hall, 6pm Tel Allison on - 07826362418
Leverington SSC, 5.30pm & 7pm Tel Katie on - 07928395615
food, real support, real
WEDNESDAYS
Rugby Club, Wisbech 9.30am
Tel Carrie on - 07876636833
Rugby Club, Wisbech, 5.30pm
Tel Katie on - 07928395615
SATURDAYS
Rugby Club, Wisbech, 8.30am & 10am
Tel Sandy on - 07547486801
Specialists offer the following repair services
Denture re-lines
Denture additions
Denture cosmetic improvements
Dentures cleaned and polished A fully qualified dental technician
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. Icenidental@gmail.com
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. wisbech.u3asite.uk
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
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
Wisbech Scouts and Guides. Meet at The Robert Hall Centre, St Augustine's Road, Wisbech. For more details contact 07986 144534. Robert Hall is also available for hire, and the contact number is 07986 144534
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 10.30am 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
Wisbech & District Stroke Club
We are a club for stroke survivors and their carers. We meet twice monthly on the second and last Friday of each month at the Crescent Room at Wisbech Library at 2pm.
Members enjoy chatting with other Stroke Survivors ,Guest Speakers. Trips to the theatre and places of interest to get them rehabilitated back into the community. At the last meeting of the month we are joined by a qualified specialist keep fit instructor to get survivors moving again. We are a friendly bunch come and join us. Contact Brian Sandall on 07778 755105 or 410225
