other’s Day already!
“Life doesn’t come with a manual. It comes with a mother” – an old saying, but a true one!
We all need help in finding our way through all the various ups and downs of life, and there, right from day one has been that wonderful (sometimes), smiling (often) and loving (always) lady we are so proud to call “Mum.”
Sadly, Paula and I lost our dear mother recently, and I’m sure that anyone having experienced such a loss will know about the feelings of grief and helplessness, but also the warmth which comes from the many memories we have been so lucky to have been left with. Part of her funeral service included the following lines, which I find so comforting: “Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her Or you can be full of the love you shared.”
Finally, from all of us mums, thanks in advance for the flowers, chocolates, perfume and big hugs, as we try our hardest… without a manual!
I recently had cause to ring a government agency to answer an enquiry they had made about my business.
It was regarding a letter they had sent me after they had failed to take notice of an email I had previously sent to them. I was greeted by the usual ‘press one for this enquiry, two for another and three if you want to spend the rest of your life on the phone...’
After hanging on for what seemed days (fifty minutes) I was interrupted by a work phone call from someone I had been trying to track down for some time so stopped listening to the hideous muzak being played while I waited to engage with the new caller. This all, of course, meant that I had to start the entire process again, which at the time of writing is still progressing. Wouldn’t it be nice just for once to speak with a human being who can deal with your phone call? Modern technology, don’t you just love it...
Discovering Magazines, PO Box 164, Bourne PE10 1ET
Publisher and Sales Claire Saberton: 01778 421427 | 07837 499061 | sales@discoveringmagazines.co.uk
Sales Paula Kirtland: 07903 776211 | marketing.discoveringmagazines@gmail.com
Sales Sallyanne Davis: 07737 026594 | sal@discoveringmagazines.co.uk
Editor Andy Hurst: editor.march@discoveringmagazines.co.uk
Ops Director Andy Armstrong: 07780 922214
Accounts Sarah Brooks: 07564 966452 | accounts@discoveringmagazines.co.uk
Design Sarah Gumbley | Andy Beavis | Graham Copestake | Dan Handley
With thanks to: The Shed Shop, Eileen Le Voi, Richard Munns, Diamond Byte, Vine Law, Joan Munns, Lin Stanton and The Light Cinema.
Deadline details:
Copy deadline for the April issue is Friday, 10th March 2023.
Hopefully spring is on its way and the longer daylight hours mean more time to spend at the allotment or on your vegetable patch. Although we may get some warm days it doesn’t necessarily mean that the soil will be warm enough for sowing, so be cautious. If you have chitted your first early potatoes and the ground is not frozen they can be planted out from mid-March or early April, but it is well worth covering them to protect them from the late frosts. Don’t forget to add a light sprinkling of fertiliser to the trench.
Never planted an asparagus bed? Now is the time. Dig a trench 12 inches deep and add some well-rotted manure. Make a 4-inch ridge at the base and spread the roots of the crown over the ridge, replace the soil, leaving the tips just visible. Water in and add mulch. Don’t forget to leave the asparagus for two years before actually harvesting. Now is the time to start a runner bean or celery trench, both of which need a rich fertile, moisture retaining soil. The trench should be 60-90cm (2-3ft) wide and 30cms (1ft) deep. Regularly fill them with vegetable peelings, tea bags etc. Each time you add a new layer, cover with soil. Other jobs to do – and there’s plenty of them!
• Lettuces and other salad crops can be sown indoors or outdoors under cloches or in cold frames. Tomato and cucumber seeds can be sown indoors but wait until the end of the month.
• Sow Brussels sprouts, cabbage, sprouting broccoli indoors and to take full advantage of the ripening season sow aubergines, chillies, and peppers indoors.
• Herbs such as rosemary and sage will benefit from a good trim, and chives and mint can be propagated by dividing them and re-planting.
• Plant out onion and shallot sets – last chance to plant garlic.
• Early varieties of carrot, beetroot, spring onions, peas, chard, parsnips, spinach and broad beans can be sown into the open ground but may need to be under cover.
• Last chance for planting bare-rooted fruit trees and bushes.
• Feed and mulch fruit trees – fertilise the base, water in and then cover with well-rotted manure or compost to act as a mulch.
• Remove dead leaves from cabbages and Brussels.
• Don’t forget to feed your over-wintered crops such as onions, kale, spring cabbage – use blood, fish and bone meal, chicken manure or seaweed–based organic fertiliser.
• If you’re into “no-dig” or have raised beds, March continues to be one of the best times of year to top up your beds. Using manure or compost allows for an increase in nutrients. It also increases soil depths where any soil has been lost due to the worms.
• Prepare seed beds by raking over to a fine tilth and add fertiliser.
The winner will receive a beautiful decorative balloon hug and the runner-up will win a personalised heart balloon. These will arrive in time for Mother’s Day and will be sure to put a big smile on your mum’s face!
To enter, simply find the six words listed below in the wordsearch, fill in your contact details and drop off your entry to us here at Paper-chain, 11 Station Road, March PE15 8LB, where we will collect them all and then draw the lucky winner! The closing date for entries is Thursday 16th March 2023. Good luck!
1st PRIZE
Closing date for entries is Thursday 16th March 2023 so don’t delay!
Whether you are saving for a specific goal, or just to create a nest egg for the future, thinking of retiring or you simply want your money to work as hard as you do, we are here to advise you through the different stages of your life. Our aim is to educate our clients when it comes to their financial situation and make things easier for them. This is why we will always explain the advice in plain language with no jargon.
We have a strong belief in reviewing your circumstances to help meet any changing needs. We have regular meetings with our clients so that we can discuss and explain performance, tax implications and make any changes as and when required.
“I understand that the subject of financial planning can have the potential to be daunting and confusing, which is why no matter who you come into contact with at Mayflower, we ensure that all our clients are dealt with in a respectful, confidential, and compassionate manner”.
Ashlie Barnard, Director
1Only 9kg
Weighing 19kg (42lbs), the eFOLDi is the world’s lightest 8mph folding scooter and comfortably travels up to 14 miles (22km) on one charge.
Scooter, chair, suitcase 3-in-1, the eFOLDi is the perfect travel scooter that can be easily put in car boots, taken on public transport, cruise ships and aeroplanes.
Merging the durability of a mobility vehicle and the cool appeal of an urban transporter, eFOLDi is the best travel companion representing freedom, friendship and fun!
Who are they and what do they do?
Founder and owner, Eileen Le Voi explains: Is Safe Local Trades a national company?
No! Having won Peterborough’s ‘Best New Business Idea’ in 2008, the service has, and always will be, exclusively for Peterborough and an approximate 30-mile PE postcode radius, which includes March and all surrounding villages. For me, it is all about ‘keeping it local’.
Why did you set up Safe Local Trades?
I felt passionate about providing consumers with a “one-stop shop” where they can access a register of vetted and approved tradespeople, thereby protecting them from rogues and cowboys.
Why would I choose Safe Local Trades over similar national companies?
There are several key aspects to Safe Local Trades that makes us unique. Firstly, we always want to ensure that all our members are honest and reputable local tradespeople that do a good job for a fair price. Everyone is interviewed by me in person, followed by a stringent vetting process which includes a DBS check. They must adhere to our Service Charter and are monitored on an ongoing basis, thereby giving customers complete peace of mind.
For a FREE home demonstration please call us on 07963 276 094
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*RRP £2699.00. Offer expires 31.12.23
All makes of scooters serviced and repairs undertaken. We also buy and sell used mobility scooters – all makes taken in. Call Alan on 07963 276 094 for more information.
Secondly, as well as our work with the trades, much effort is placed on safeguarding the more vulnerable people in our communities by working personally and directly with other caring and concerned parties in the 'local' community, such as local authorities, Cambridgeshire Neighbourhood Watch, Cambs Police Crime Prevention, Age UK, The Bobby Scheme, Disability Peterborough, and many more. How do I locate the right tradesperson for my job? Visit our website www.safelocaltrades.com and search for the trade in the drop-down box and then enter your postcode, for instant access to the traders in that particular category, their contact details and the chance to view their profile and reviews. With 65 different trades and over 17,000 reviews, Safe Local Trades has more trusted members in more trades and services across the PE postcode area than any other service, including the national companies. Visit www.safelocaltrades.com/consumers/testimonials to see what your neighbours think about the service. Any questions? Call 01733 530019. Please follow and like us on our social media channels: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
There are so many reasons to shop online – you can buy anything from AA batteries to Z-beds, prices are competitive, shipping is fast and even returns are easy. For the most part, online shopping is safe. However, a bit of common sense and a fair amount of caution is required so as not to fall into the hands of online fraudsters. Here are some of our tips to help keep your finances safe.
• When signing up for a new account online, only fill out the fields which are required. There’s no need to enter your address, phone number or any other personal details (even your middle name) if the site doesn’t ask you to. No online shopping store needs your NI number or your birth date to do business. However, if crooks get them, combined with your credit card number for purchases,
they can do a lot of damage. The more they know, the easier it is to steal your identity.
• If you’re ordering products, you will of course have to provide a delivery address. But if you can, have items delivered to a work address.
• Instead of handing over your bank details, it’s worth setting up a PayPal account and using that wherever possible as the merchant is unable to see your bank account details or debit card number. If you don’t want to use PayPal, then try Apple Pay or Google Pay.
• If you can’t use those, why not set up a bank account specifically for online shopping and only keep a small amount of money in it? That way, if those details are ever compromised, any losses will be very limited.
• A lot of email accounts such as outlook.com or gmail.com are free, so it’s a good idea to set one up for online shopping. That way, you can limit the amount of unwanted email you receive, and it keeps your main email account much freer of spam. It also means you’re not forced to use the same email address for all your online accounts, which is a security risk.
• Don’t use a debit card. Your protection if things go wrong is much weaker than if you use a credit card. Once you’ve used a credit card on the Internet, check your card statements carefully.
FOR THIS AND ALL OUR OTHER ARTICLES, GO TO WWW.DIAMONDBYTE.CO.UK
As far back as 1669, the town of March was granted a charter to the Lord of the Manor, Sir Algernon Peyton, from King Charles II, for two annual Marts or Fairs each of three days. One of these was held from the Monday before Whitsun where horses were sold only on the Wednesday of this fair. The second started on the second Tuesday in October at which butchers’ meat was sold.
It is not known for how long this arrangement continued but the Cambridge Independent Press reported on May 16th, 1891 that “the March Annual Spring Fair is now being held on the Market Place, there being the usual collection of roundabouts etc”. Over the next few years, it would seem that attendance at this event declined so that at one time it was predicted that it might cease.
The Cambridgeshire Times of October 7th, 1898 reported under the heading ‘March Statute’ that this ancient annual custom was observed the previous week, where there was the usual scene of merriment and excitement. Very little business was done as the supply of both agricultural workers and domestic servants was low and wages wanted were high.
In September 1899, the minutes of the March Urban District Council recorded the receipt of a request from Mr F B Phillips for permission to erect swings and stalls in Broad Street on the day of the Statute but this was declined. However, this changed over the next few years because in the minutes of January 4th, 1909, the council passed a motion that ‘For the horse and cattle fair in Broad Street on Wednesday 21st April, all shows, swings, roundabouts, stalls and vans are to be taken down and properly packed away before 12 o’clock on Saturday night and cleared away by 8 o’clock on Sunday morning. Nothing should stay longer than one week and no stakes are to be driven into the
tar paved market place.’ The following year it was ordered that the autumn horse and cattle fair be on October 19th in Broad Street. Thereafter, the spring and autumn fairs were to be always held on the third Wednesday of April and October. This situation continued more or less the same, apart from the War years, until November 1966 when the council received a request from Stanley Thurston Ltd for the usual facilities in Broad Street and Market Place for the 1967 Statute Fair. It was resolved to recommend to the next meeting consideration should be given to transferring the fair to the City Road car park. The clerk reported to the January meeting that there was no specific site included in the Deed and Charters concerning the fairs so it was resolved that the council was only prepared to offer facilities for the 1967 fairs on the City Road car park.
Despite a number of requests, including from the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain, for maintaining fairs in Broad Street and on the Market Place, they have remained on the car park until the present.
Photo: Alice Askew photograph of the fair in Broad Street from her Studio looking towards the White Hart Hotel in the late 1920s.
£18
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Here at GreenThumb, we’re proud to extend a warm welcome into our community of Lawn Lovers. With expert local knowledge, advanced Lawn Care solutions, and a passion for bringing lawns to life, your local GreenThumb team is ready to create the lawn we both love.
There’s no bad time to start your Lawn Care journey. Trust us, your lawn will thank you!
Our five Core Treatments will feed your grass, keep the weeds at bay, strengthen your lawn, and encourage a rich green colour all year round. Our most popular Standard Programme also features essential annual Machine Work.
Visit greenthumb.co.uk
Measure your lawn online, receive a quote, & choose from three programmes
Sign up online and your local GreenThumb team will be in touch to arrange a visit
Find out more by visiting greenthumb.co.uk/lawn-treatments or contact your local branch.
Email: wisbech@greenthumb.co.uk
Call: 01778 426730
Visit: greenthumb.co.uk
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We understand that when it comes to paying money in advance for something such as travel, it’s so important that your money is properly protected. That’s why we are proud to be members of Protected Trust Services (PTS) who provide some of the best financial protection in the UK, giving us and our customers the confidence that their holiday money is fully protected.
PTS is a company that provides financial protection through an independent trust account and bespoke technology to protect your monies. This means, every time you book a holiday with us, your money only goes towards the arrangement of your holiday. It will be used to pay the suppliers, book the tickets, and will never be used for anything irrelevant to your booking. You can also call us at any time, ask where your money is, and we can give you an exact answer.
Being part of PTS, we take great pride in being able to offer the best and most trustworthy protection in travel. We can guarantee that when you book with us, you’ll receive the financial protection you deserve. Contact us today for a quote, we aim to beat any online or high street price.
For peace of mind, and to book your holiday with confidence, choose Holiday With Us.
We protect your money with Protected Trust Services. This means that all your hard earned money goes into a separate trust account and is only used for your booking.
Now just sit back & look forward to your trip with peace of mind
You’ve decided that it’s time to make a will and you’ve chosen the lucky person who’s going to get that hideous vase that’s been passed down in the family for years, but have you thought about who you trust to sort everything out?
The simplest requirement is that anyone who you want to act as executor must be more than eighteen years of age. Your executor can also be someone who will receive a gift under your will.
The role is a responsible one and your executor will be legally and financially responsible for the administration of the estate. This means that they could be held personally responsible for paying a legacy to the wrong person or not paying the correct amount of Inheritance Tax.
The amount of work required to administer an estate varies from case to case but on average it can take around twelve months.
As it is such a responsible role which may take up a lot of the executor’s time, you should think carefully about who you want to take on the role. We would always recommend talking to the person who you would like to act to check that they are happy to take on the responsibility. If you have already written your will and your chosen executor says that they would prefer not to act you are able to amend just that part of your will by making a codicil.
Often when someone has two or more children, they appoint all of them as they feel it will be better if noone is left out. Unfortunately, if the children have very different views on how things should be dealt with this decision may backfire and it could cause a lot of
tension in the family. In these circumstances it might be best to appoint someone independent from the family. In some cases, it might even be preferable to appoint a professional to act as your executor. There will be a cost implication to this but if it helps to preserve family relationships you might feel that the cost is justified. Also bear in mind that if you appoint a probate lawyer this is what they do every day and they should be able to deal with things more easily than someone who has never dealt with the administration of an estate before. It can also be advantageous where you know that one of your children would be able to deal with the responsibility of the role where others might not but that they would object to not being appointed.
Even if you don’t appoint a professional to act as an executor your chosen executor is able to instruct a lawyer to administer the estate on their behalf if they do not have the time or feel that they do not have the necessary skills to deal with things properly. The estate will bear the cost of the legal fees.
A good lawyer will be able to work with the executor to provide the level of support that they need. They might just need some advice about how to start the process and clarification about the terms of the will. If they need support and assistance to obtain the Grant of Probate but are happy to deal with collecting in the assets and making the gifts under the will then their instruction could be limited to obtaining the grant. They might want someone to deal with all of the administration on their behalf.
If you would like further advice about choosing an executor, or if you have been appointed as an executor and want to understand more about what this would entail we’d be happy to talk to you about this.
While flowers and chocolates are lovely gifts to give your mum, have you considered something extra special?
Our experienced team can help to make her feet feel wonderful. We can help with feet that she cannot reach anymore, thickened nails, troublesome corns and callus, plus a wide range of foot and joint pains.
With a treatment from us, your mum gets to enjoy some quality ‘me time’ and you get to help to keep her on her feet and more healthy.
With comfortable feet, your mum can enjoy life more and it is one less thing for her to worry about. We can provide gift vouchers for special occasions and help you to give a very special gift this Mother’s Day.
Call us for more details:
01354 651200
March
Afuneral plan is an easy way to arrange the funeral you want in advance. A plan allows you to specify your wishes and pay for the funeral directors’ services.
The plan can also allow you to make a contribution towards third party payments such as cremation fees, doctors’ fees, celebrant fees. Everyone has different needs when it comes to funeral planning, so we make sure the plans we offer are as flexible as possible.
As an independent funeral director, we will take time to understand your wishes and tailor a plan to suit you and your needs. You can tell us about the type of funeral you would like to have including hymns, music, or any other personal touches.
As well as the comfort of having a plan in place, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with being able to help and save your family from worry and expense in the future.
For more information regarding a pre-paid funeral please contact the funeral home and speak to Kerry on (01354) 651499.
K.E.Rolfe Independent Family Funeral Directors, is an appointed representative of Golden Leaves Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm Reference Number 960923. You can check this in the Financial Services Register at register.fca.ork.uk
Perhaps you need a visit to Spectacular Opticians, known for the high-quality care and personalised service they provide for NHS patients and private customers alike.
“The secret to our exceptional service is treating every customer as unique,” says Director Stuart Gibbs. “We give each individual the time they need. Our staff have an extensive understanding of optics so we provide a greater level of care than you might typically find on the high street,”
“Access to the latest in lens and frame technology means we can find solutions that are responsive to your needs providing long-term comfort and protecting your ongoing eye-health.” adds Gibbs. Originally established in 1989, Spectacular Opticians is run by brothers Stuart and Gareth Gibbs, with practices in Chatteris, Downham Market, Ely, March, Newmarket, Waterbeach and also Histon Opticians. All branches are open Monday-Saturday with eye tests available to book every day for private and NHS patients. This independent optician welcomes the children, parents and grandparents of many local families for a lifetime of responsive care. Visit www.spectacularopticians.co.uk to book an appointment today.
By Joan Munns
Watching a pond is endlessly absorbing and Pond Skaters are very interesting to see walking on water.
They are very light in weight and actually move on the surface tension of the water. They depend on the water surface being undisturbed so are absent from fast moving water and hate rain and fountains. They can drown but will usually rise to the surface if submerged. There are eight species in the British Isles but the most common is Gerris lacustris, which is mainly brown or black and ½ to ¾ inches long (13mm-18mm). At rest, the wings are folded flat across the back. On average each individual will live about a year.
They belong to the Hemiptera order of insects so have six legs. Four of its legs are used for propulsion and have dense pads of hair underneath that do not get wet allowing the insect to move on water by a sort of rowing motion with the middle legs rowing and the back legs steering. They do fly but if disturbed usually leap away.
It is a carnivorous bug and will eat any small insect. It holds its prey with its front pair of legs then pushes its mouthpiece or beak into the insect and sucks out its juices. It will take any insect that gets trapped on the surface of the water.
Each spring we have observed pond skaters appear on our garden pond from their winter hiding places amongst vegetation away from the pond. This is a sign that the frogs will soon be coming. It took us several years to realise what was happening. One year the frogs produced so much spawn some was trapped near the surface by the pondweed. Lots of grovelling on the garden path and hundreds of useless photographs later we managed to capture an image of a pond skater
consuming a tadpole that was barely emerged from the spawn and unable to escape.
If the frog spawn can sink well below the surface out of reach of the pond skaters most of them vanish as suddenly as they appeared.
The female lays her eggs in spring in small groups on submerged parts of water plants. A covering of jelly protects them. They hatch into nymphs that resemble the adults in habits and appearance then moult five times before reaching maturity. Next Gault Wood Work Party is Saturday, March 4th at 10am. If you'd like to support our work at the wood as a volunteer, please contact the Woodland Trust using this email: volunteering@woodlandtrust.org.uk Alternatively, you might like to support the Nature's Calendar project, which focusses on phenology, which is the study of plant and animal reaction to climate change. Nature's Calendar (woodlandtrust.org.uk)
The Wizard of Oz (afternoon show)
Chatsworth House and Gardens
Thurs 17th August £87
Sat 19th August Adult £43 Child £39
RHS Garden, Harlow Carr Sun 20th August Adult £38 RHS Member £28
Tower of London including Superbloom Tues 22nd August Adult £66 Senior £60 Child £51
Hutton Le Hole (Ryedale Folk Museum) & Thornton Le Dale (Bangers & Cash)
Weds 23rd August £37
North Yorkshire Moors Railway and Whitby Thurs 31st August Adult £66 Child £60
Greenwich Leisure Day
Cirque: The Greatest Show (afternoon show)
Twickenham Stadium Tour and World Rugby Museum
Phantom of the Opera (afternoon show)
Grease the Musical (afternoon show)
Buckingham Palace Royal Mews & State Rooms
Sat 2nd September £31
Sat 2nd September £60
Sun 3rd September
Adult £54 Senior £49 Child £46
Weds 6th September £75
Thurs 7th September £69
Thurs 14th September
Adult £73 Young Adult £59 Child £55
17th April £55
Anglesey Abbey, Gardens & Lode Mill Weds 19th April Adult £38 Child £31 NT Member £24
Bakewell & Matlock Bath
Sat 22nd April £26
Wroxham Barns & Southern Comfort River Trip 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) ONLY 7 LEFT Weds 10th May £65
Chatham Historic Dockyard Sat 13th May Adult £46 Senior £45 Child £42
Southend on Sea
Titanic – The Musical (afternoon show)
Sun 14th May £30
Weds 17th May £60
RHS Garden, Wisley Sat 20th May Adult £43 RHS Member £30
Ain’t Too Proud (afternoon show)
Thurs 25th May £70
RHS Chelsea Flower Show ONLY 2 LEFT Sat 27th May £125
The Bodyguard (afternoon show)
Weds 31st May £68
Chelsea FC Stadium Tour & Museum Sat 3rd June Adult £59 Senior £51 Child £49
Bressingham Steam Museum & Gardens Sun 4th June Adult £34 Child £32
Matilda (afternoon show)
Weds 7th June £77
Agatha Christie’s Prosecution for the Witness (afternoon performance) at County Hall, London
Thurs 8th June £74
Black Country Living Museum & Dudley Canal and Caverns Sat 10th June
Adult £54 Senior £52 Child £45
42nd Street (4pm show) ONLY 19 LEFT 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
Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial Sat 15th July Adult £37 Child £32
Whitby Leisure Day
Aspects of Love (afternoon show)
We Will Rock You (afternoon show)
Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)
Sun 16th July £31
Weds 19th July £86
Thurs 20th July £81
Weds 26th July £58
Tower Hotel, London – 4 days Only 2 left Fri 28th July £321
Scarborough Leisure Day
The Telford Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort – 5 days
Thurs 3rd August £27
ONLY 20 LEFT 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
Cannon Hall Farm
National Memorial Arboretum
The Drifters Girl (afternoon show)
Ramsey Park Hotel, Isle of Man – 6 days
Everybody’s Talking about Jamie (afternoon show)
Alfie Boe
Sat 16th September £35
Sun 17th September £26
Thurs 21st September £68
Sat 23rd September £602
Weds 27th September £55
Fri 6th October £92
Battersea Power Station and Lift 109 Sun 8th October Adult £52 Child £47
Mrs Doubtfire (afternoon show)
Leyburn & Masons Gin Distillery
Thurs 12th October £75
Sat 14th October £56
Natural History, Science and Victoria & Albert Museums Sun 15th October £31
Crazy for You (afternoon show)
Weds 18th October £76
The Deep Sat 21st October Adult £41 Senior £40 Child £37
The Play That Goes Wrong (afternoon show)
RAF Museum, London
Sun 22nd October £66
Sat 28th October £30
The Postal Museum & Mail Rail Sun 29th October Adult £44 Young Person £42 Child £40
The Full Monty (afternoon show)
Weds 1st November £58
Regent Street Motor Show/London Leisure Day Sat 4th November £31
Leeds Christmas Shopping/Leisure Day Sat 18th November £27
Bakewell Christmas Market Sun 19th November £25
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market/Shopping/Leisure Day Sat 25th November £27
Nottingham Winter Wonderland/Shopping/Leisure Day Sun 26th November £24
York’s St Nicholas Fair/Shopping/Leisure Day Thurs 30th November £27
Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club (afternoon performance) Sat 2nd December £113
Meadowhall Shopping Centre Sun 3rd December £25
*Thursford Christmas Spectacular (Long Sutton departure) Mon 4th December £76
Holkham Hall by Candlelight
Weds 6th December £51
*Thursford Christmas Spectacular Thurs 7th December £76
Stratford Upon Avon Victorian Christmas Market/Shopping/Leisure Day Sat 9th December £26
Lincoln Christmas Market/Shopping/Leisure Day Sun 10th December £25
*Thursford Christmas Spectacular (Long Sutton departure) Sat 16th December £79
*Thursford Christmas Spectacular Sun 17th December £79
Carols at the Royal Albert Hall (afternoon concert) Sun 17th December £89
Hogwarts in the Snow Sat 30th December Adult £78 Child £66
Birmingham International Tattoo (afternoon show) Sun 11th February 2024 Adult £57 Senior £55 Child £54
Shrek the Musical (afternoon show) Sat 23rd March 2024 £76
Titanic Hotel, Belfast – 5 days
Michael McIntyre Macnificent Tour
ONLY 18 LEFT Sun 19th May 2024 £595
Sat 25th May 2024 £99
There’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.”
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. 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.
“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.”
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. 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.
“When someone in the family has a hearing loss, the entire family has a hearing problem.”
Fenland CAP Debt Centre is continuing to work with its current twenty-eight clients, already on their journey out of debt. Yet many local people will be finding things hard this month as they receive their first few winter bills of 2023.
We know this as we continue being approached for debt help from people in the area, and have taken action and are recruiting a new debt coach in order to meet the demand. So many local people will be finding things hard as they receive their first few winter bills of 2023 for goods brought over the Christmas period, and the increase in the cost of living we are all feeling, and cannot see a way through , that’s when CAP can offer advice guidance and support. If you feel you need help, please phone the Freephone number 0800 328 0006
Fenland’s CAP Debt Centre works with CAP’s head office to give free debt advice and support to our clients throughout their journey. We also hold some client events throughout the year for encouragement as being in debt can be very isolating.
Although CAP’s unique in-person debt-help service in Fenland is free for any local person to use, it does cost to run a centre, and as a charity, we fully rely on fundraising and donations to run the Debt Centre throughout the year.
Our first fund raiser of 2023 will be a Beetle Drive and small auction with a Bangers & Mash dinner, held at 4pm-6.30pm on Saturday, March 18th at Centenary Baptist Church, costing just £3.50 per head. If you would be interested in coming to this fun event please find our more, or book your place to this event by phoning me on 07787 204 359 or email linstanton@capuk.org and let us know. Also, if you are in a position to donate an item for the auction, please contact us to make arrangements.
Many local people are experiencing financial difficulties from the cost of living crisis, and cannot see a way through, but we’ve seen many people make their way to the other side of debt once they seek help. If you need support please phone CAP for advice and guidance on Freephone 0800 328 0006 or visit capuk.org
With thanks for your continued support which makes it possible to continue this much needed service within March and Wisbech and surrounding villages Fenland CAP.
Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a UK charity with more than 580 services across the country delivering debt counselling, money management education, job clubs, life skills groups and more. Visit capuk.org to find out more.
George James & Son, incorporating Brewin’s Funerals, has been part of the March community for more than one hundred years.
Brendan and the team can create any type of funeral you want, to make the day special for everyone. If you want a more formal send-off or a celebration of life, they'll help to make it happen, just the way you want it.
If you know just what you want, or don't know where to start, George James & Son can help to create a beautiful, authentic funeral that's a tribute to a life well-lived and a life well-loved.
Brendan and the team help to bring comfort at a time of loss and will do everything they can to help you arrange a funeral.
You can call George James & Son, day, or night, on (01354) 350124. You'll find the team at 27 City Road in March and they're here for our local communities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
On Thursday 4 May 2023, local elections are taking place across 230 councils in England.
At these elections, you will need to bring photo ID to be able to vote at a polling station. A wide range of photo ID will be accepted, including passports, driving licences and cards with a PASS Mark.
If you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document known as a Voter Authority Certificate. Visit fenland.gov.uk/voterID, call 01354 654321, or scan the QR code above to find out more, including:
• The full list of accepted forms of photo ID
• How to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (if you need one)
• What will happen at the polling station
Alternatively visit electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID
Have you moved home recently?
Have you registered to vote at your new address?
When you move you do not automatically get registered at your new address, even if you are paying Council Tax.
Registering to vote is easy:
1. Go to gov.uk/register-to-vote
2. Fill in your name, address, date of birth and a few other details. You will also need your national insurance number.
gov.uk/ register-to-vote
3. Look out for confirmation from local electoral registration staff to say you are registered.
If you don't have access to the internet, you can contact the Electoral Registration Team who will help you to register. Email elections@fenland.gov.uk or call 01354 654321.
You are required to register by law and need to register to be able to vote and have a say on who represents you. Also, Credit Reference Agencies use the register to confirm where someone lives when they apply for credit.
fenland.gov.uk/elections
Come and see us at:
MARCH: The Oliver Cromwell Hotel, High Street, March PE15 9LB on Tuesday 14th March, 11am-2pm or call 07724 473810
JOIN OUR TREASURE HUNT: Do you have cash in the attic? Come along to our Antique Roadshow – if the offer is OK, flog it!
So come on down, this is the Real Deal! From scrap gold to the finest antique jewellery, we’ll take it. We purchase all quality watches and jewellery – gold and silver is at an all-time high, so cash in. From old silver coins to antique silver tea sets, we want them all. WANTED – all Aviator diver/military watches. Best price paid.
Punching its way on to our screens at the beginning of the month is Creed III. After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has been thriving in both his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face-off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian – a fighter who has nothing to lose.
Superhero alter ego Shazam is back in Shazam: Fury of The Gods on March 17th! Billy Baston (portrayed by Asher Angel) and his foster siblings, who transform into superheroes by saying ‘Shazam!’ are forced to get back into action and fight the daughters of Atlas. They must stop them from using a weapon that could destroy the world, but first they must travel to make peace with the Gods because of Billy taking their powers for granted.
An action-packed John Wick: Chapter Four hits our screens on March 24th. John Wick (Keanu Reeves) faces his most lethal adversaries yet as
he takes his fight against the High Table global and seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld.
Love a sing-along? Once a month we will be showing a variety of different musicals to suit all ages, this month’s musical is The Sound of Music
Event Cinema
ROH Live brings Puccini’s opera Turandot to our screens on Wednesday, March 22nd, featuring the beautiful aria Nessun Dorma (made famous by Pavarotti in the 1990 FIFA World Cup). Princess Turandot meets her match in a mysterious Prince who holds all the power – and a glorious secret. When life hangs in the balance, can love conquer all?
Puppetry, magic, and storytelling combine in a magical and unique multi-Olivier Award-winning stage adaptation of the best-selling novel Life of Pi, filmed live in London’s West End by NT Live and featuring state-of-the-art visuals. This breath-taking epic of endurance and hope is sure to entrance the whole family. From March 30th.
More blockbuster films coming your way including Scream VI, Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.3 and The Little Mermaid
Book your tickets and find out more by heading over to wisbech.thelight.co.uk
SAT 11TH MARCH Richie D – UB40
£5 members, £8 non-members
SAT 8TH APRIL LIVE BAND: BRIGHTWIRE
£5 members £8 non-members
SAT 8TH APRIL KIDS EASTER DISCO
£3 per child
MON 10TH APRIL EASTER BINGO
Members only – eyes down 7.30pm
THE FUNCTION HALL IS AVAILABLE TO HIRE FOR PARTIES & WEDDINGS ETC PLEASE CALL US TO ENQUIRE
March United Services Club 1 New Road, March PE15 9AN Telephone: 01354 657271 Email: uscmarch@yahoo.com Facebook: @marchunitedservices
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
Drivers have been experiencing disruptions due to essential work being carried out to upgrade gas pipes in March town centre.
Cadent, which manages the local gas network, is replacing ageing underground gas mains to ensure the network is fit for the future.
The works, which began in February in the area of Dartford Road, Darthill Road and Robingoodfellow’s Lane, are expected to take twelve weeks and could result in some gas supplies local to the area being disrupted.
The annual St George’s Fayre in March will take on a different format this year due to the £multi-million planned transformation of the town centre.
A St George’s themed arts festival will be held throughout April culminating with a community event on Sunday, April 23rd, centred around March Library and West End Park.
Details of this year’s event are currently in development and will be announced soon but it is likely to include an exciting programme of arts, music, demonstrations, displays, dance, comedy and food in City Road’s March Library and March Community Centre, Station Road. The town centre works mean the Spring funfair will not visit March this year. It is usually held in City Road in the third week of March.
Rings End Nature Reserve has announced some dates for March.
Sunday, March 12th: Work Party – Wildflower Planting with Ben and (TBC) Amphibian Walk with Debs.
Tuesday, March 21st: Committee meeting, Rookswood Club, March, at 7pm. Contact Hayley on 079623 37988, email: hdolbear@aol.com
MADAOS will perform ‘Calendar Girls the Musical’ at March Community Centre from Wednesday, April 5th to Saturday, April 8th.
The show, a musical version of the film of the same name with songs by Gary Barlow, is based on a true story and tells of the women of the Knapely Women’s Institute who produced a calendar featuring some of its members discreetly posing nude while engaged in traditional WI activities, such as baking and knitting, to raise funds to purchase a sofa for the visitors' lounge in the hospital where one of their number’s husband was treated for leukaemia.
Tickets cost £14 and are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/madaos
Kay Larham, Hon. Poppy Appeal organiser, March Royal British Legion, has thanked everyone who helped raise a staggering £32,573.75 during the recent Poppy Appeal and to volunteers, businesses and organisations for their support.
People are being encouraged to help sponsor animals at a local charity.
Merrylegs Charitable Trust was founded and funded by vet Anna Nicholas who took in animals that had nowhere else to go and started loaning her horses and ponies to local children around Whittlesey to allow them to ride and care for them without the expensive upkeep.
After Anna sadly died, the charity needed to be more self-sufficient and set up Anna's Ark in Coates. Following its first open day last December and with another planned for Easter, it’s hoped it will open three days a week from April with a low entry cost to ensure Anna's aim for it to be ‘affordable to everyone.’
Anna's Ark homes donkeys, goats, sheep, pigs, ponies, chickens, Merlin the cat, rabbits and guinea pigs and sponsorship can be as little as £10 a month or a bag of feed. In return the charity will take photos of your sponsored animal and tag you in Facebook posts.
Call or message Stacey 0792 3944619 or via the Facebook page; Merrylegs Charitable Trust 1155405, or Anna's Ark or email: merrylegscharitabletrust@gmail.com
Fenland residents are being reminded that this year’s local elections will be different to any that have gone before – with new wards, new locations for some polling stations and voter ID requirements. Staff are being sought to help run polling stations on the day, where there will be additional responsibilities to meet in terms of ID checking.
Fenland District Council uses its own staff to run polling stations where possible but is recruiting additional elections staff to help.
There are fifty-six polling stations in operation and the council is looking for applications from people interested in acting as poll clerks or reserve poll clerks. Elections for all of Fenland’s district wards and its sixteen town and parish councils will take place on Thursday, May 4th.
See a full list of acceptable ID and find out how to apply for free photo ID at: www.fenland.gov.uk/voterID
To find out more about working at elections, and to download an application form, visit www.fenland.gov.uk/Working-at-elections
Pictured: Boundary Commission map of Fenland wards and parishes Jan 2023. Map: courtesy of The Local Government Boundary Commission for England
EVERY WEDNESDAY: LUNCHES
Served from 12 noon to 2pm
EVERY THURSDAY: PUB QUIZ NIGHT
7.30pm start, FREE entry, all welcome
SATURDAY 11TH MARCH
ALAN BECK’S TRIBUTE TO THE
THE RAT PACK AND MORE £10 members, £12 non-members
SUNDAY 19TH MARCH
MOTHER’S DAY CARVERY
With choice of desserts, tea and coffee. £16pp
BOOKING ESSENTIAL
FRIDAY 31ST MARCH
GIN TASTING EVENING WITH FEN SPIRIT
A chance to sample different flavoured gins and tonics with a talk on the history of gin. Includes a glass of Prosecco on arrival and canapes. £20 members, £22 non-members
SEE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information contact the Club on 01354 653150 or go to the Club Facebook page and just search for March Con Club. If you like the page you will get all the updates for what’s going on.
Why not come and see what the Club has to offer? Our live music events are second to none in the local area, with comfortable, spacious and well decorated rooms.
The club has two snooker tables, a pool table, a FREE jukebox, plus lots of events for members. We also have a six-rink bowls green. Why not come along and enjoy yourself?
members only club – please call in and see us to enquire about membership
regular Quiz & Bingo Nights, open mic nights
Discos, Karaoke and Music
Entertainment Evenings
function rooms available to hire for parties, weddings, anniversaries, christenings and wakes enjoy our outside seating area in a south-facing garden
we have an active chess club, pool team and darts board along with a regular get together for board game enthusiasts. why not come along and play?
opening hours: tues 7-10.30pm thurs 7-10.30pm fri 6.30-11pm sat 12-11pm sun 12-8pm
27 west end, march pe15 8dp 01354 652233
BOOK NOW FOR SUNDAY 19TH MARCH: Mother's Day
WIDE RANGE OF BEERS & SPIRITS SELECTION OF REAL ALES
OPEN TUES: 4–11PM
WEDS–SAT: 12–11PM
SUNDAYS: 12–8PM
FOOD SERVED TUES: 5–8.30PM
WEDS–SAT: 12–2.30PM AND 5–8.30PM ON SUNDAYS: 12–3.30PM
75 THE AVENUE, MARCH PE15 9PS T: 01354 655258
Solo Club
For people who have lost partners through bereavement. Come along and join us every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month; midday at Hot Pots Cafe – The Cricket Club, Burrowmoor Road, March PE15 9RS. Membership £5/year. For more details contact 01354 656181 or 01354 654169.
Lunch & Film Club
Meets on the first Thursday of each month in March Town Hall. Lunch is served at midday followed by the film. £15 per person. Tickets are available from Paninis.
Friends of March Library
Coffee Morning. The Friends of March Library hold a coffee morning at March Library on the last Saturday of every month from 10 30am to 12 noon. Hot and cold drinks plus biscuits cost 50p and we also hold a raffle. All profits are spent on/by March Library. Do come and join us. For more details contact Maureen Malvern on 01354 658247.
Rings End Nature Reserve
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). Please call Hayley on 07962 337988 for more information.
March Yoga Club
Meets at March Community Centre on Tuesdays 4.30pm5.45pm and 6.15pm-7.30pm and Wednesdays 10am-11.15am then Elm Primary School or Emneth Central Hall Wednesdays 7pm-8.15pm. For availability please contact Peter on 07905 601585 or email: pabamullins206@ntlworld.com
March Parkinson's Group
Meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 10.30am12.30pm at the Braza Club, Elm Road, March. This is a friendly group and everyone is welcome. £1 per session so pop along for a free taster and check us out. Please contact Wendy Summerlin on 01354 661997 for more details.
The Other Art Group
Meets every Thursday afternoon 2-4pm at March Library. Membership fee is £30 for 12 weeks paid quarterly. For details contact March Library on 03450 455225 and your details will be forwarded to them.
March U3A
For people in their third age; retired or not in full time employment. Meets on the second Wednesday of each month at the Braza Club, Elm Road, March at 2pm. There are a range of activities available in groups run by U3A members. New members are very welcome. If you would like any more information please email march.u3a.enquires@gmail.com
March Family History Group
Meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 2-4pm in March Library Meeting Room. A wide variety of speakers on both family and social history research. Everyone welcome. For more details contact Wendy on 01354 650932.
March Lions Club
Meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm in March Town Hall. New members always welcome. For more information visit marchlions.org.uk or call 0345 833 5101.
March Raceway
One of the oldest 1/12 radio control car oval clubs in the UK. Our members range from 8 to 75 years old so all are welcome! Race every Friday at Longhill Road Social Club, Longhill Road, March PE15 0PR (at the prison). Doors open 6.30pm. For fixtures and further information visit marchraceway.weebly.com or find us on Facebook.
March Jive Club
At The Braza Club, Elm Road, March PE15 8NZ. Meets every Wednesday night 7.30-10.30pm with 1:1 personal tuition available. Every 3rd Friday in the month dance with top line groups and DJs. For more info call Andrew and Donna on 01354 776229 or Terry 07979 442920.
Wisbech and District Flower Club
Meets every third Monday of the month at St Peters Hall Wisbech from 7.30pm. Please call Yvonne on 01945 581360 for more information.
March Probus Club
Meets every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at March
Conservative Club. We meet as a group of semi or fully retired gentlemen at 10am for a cuppa and a chat and then at 10.30am we have a guest speaker for approx 45 mins covering a wide range of topics. To find out more please contact Dr Allan J Whyte (Club Secretary) on 07979 887110 or pop in and visit us.
March Marlins Swimming Club
Meets each weekday at Manor Leisure Centre Whittlesey and George Campbell Leisure Centre March please come along and join us all abilities welcome (must be able to swim at least one length). Please contact swimatmarlins@gmail.com
March Triathlon Club
Meets every Tuesday 5.30-7pm for swim training at the George Campbell Leisure Centre. All abilities welcome. £4 per person. Please contact Martyn for more details 01354 460000.
March Town Cricket Club
Burrowmoor Road, March PE15 9RS. Cricket for adults, ladies and juniors including All Stars & Dynamos (From 5 to 15 years). Regular social events and bar open most evenings. Call 01354 652029 or visit www.marchtowncricket.com for more information.
Wimblington Village Choir
Meets Monday evenings, 7-9pm in Parish Hall, Addison Road, Wimblington. All voices welcome. Learn great arrangements of songs from the ‘50s onwards, and perform at local events. Taster night free, then £3 weekly. For more information contact Chris: 07831 835358, Maureen 07988 982200 or email: wimblingtonchoir@hennen.co.uk
March Brass 2000
March Brass 2000 are your local brass band and rehearse at St Peter's Church in March every Monday evening, from 7pm. We are a family-orientated band and enjoy performing at a variety of venues. If you can play a brass instrument please come along and meet the band on a Monday night; you would be most welcome. For more information please contact Secretary Anita Mackie on marchbrass2000@gmail.com
Our onsite workshop offers a fully comprehensive repair service for your caravan or motorhome.
From a minor service to a full comprehensive check, our experienced engineers will give you peace of mind for your journeys ahead.
Looking to buy? We have a range of used caravans that may suit your requirements.
We are a fully, insuranceapproved repair centre for all major UK insurers and manufacturers.
We’ve got everything for your camping needs in our friendly, onsite shop.
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.
