Discovering March issue 116, May 2023

Welcome to your May issue...

Here we are once more – summer around the corner, lawns trimmed, barbecues brushed down... and teenagers mumbling and stumbling from one extra revision class to the next, nervously counting down the days before the exam onslaught begins.

Let us all, (especially parents of these chilled youngsters who are about to morph into something so challenging and unpredictable, almost overnight), just remember that we’ve all come through, relatively unscathed... and so can they. Let’s just keep providing the calm harbour, from which they are soon to set sail, wherever their future may take them.

In the meantime, let us all enjoy the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday May 6th – a truly memorable occasion for us all!

May 6th will see the Coronation, the first such event in Britain for seventy years.

If like me you have not yet received your official invitation to Westminster Abbey (don’t know what happened there) you will more than likely watch all or at least some of it on television along with millions of others around the World. I quite like a bit of pageantry and am a sucker for marching bands but for all those who aren’t but are forced to watch the Coronation of King Charles III with their families, then may I suggest they indulge themselves in a game of ‘spot the guest’. Eagle-eyed observers are encouraged to identify the least known guest or alternatively the most unexpected leading to comments such as ‘What is he/she/they doing there?’

Wherever you witness the event, I am sure most of you will be watching a Coronation for the first time, so sit back and enjoy a piece of history...

Discovering Magazines, PO Box 164, Bourne PE10 1ET

Publisher and Sales Claire Saberton:

01778 421427 | 07837 499061 | sales@discoveringmagazines.co.uk

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Design Sarah Gumbley | Andy Beavis | Graham Copestake | Dan Handley

With thanks to:

The

Deadline details:

Copy deadline for the June issue is Friday, 12th May 2023.

The Shed Shop, Vine Law, Eileen Le Voi, Steve Barclay MP, Joan Munns, March Podiatry, Lin Stanton, Peter Wright,

Light Cinema and Diamond Byte.

May can bring a mixture of weather, so be prepared for late frosts, making sure that seedlings are hardened off before planting and protecting them once planted. A cheap way to protect tender young plants is to use “bottle cloches”, (simply cut down a two-litre plastic drinks bottle); they are useful for protecting young runner beans and peas. When watering young plants and seedlings, it is better to water less frequently but more thoroughly as this gets down to the roots. If you water lightly, it may only wet the surface of the soil and the roots may be encouraged to stay near the surface where they are more likely to suffer from drought damage.

If the weather is warmer, make sure you hoe regularly to keep weeds at bay. Also, the bugs will be out in force; the sooner you spot the problem the better, to stop them getting to plague proportions. There is no way to get rid of all these pests but there are commercial insecticides both organic and chemical. Here are some organic methods to get rid of aphids:

• Stir together 2 pints of water, 1 tsp of washing-up liquid and a pinch of cayenne pepper and spray on your plants.

• Peppermint, spearmint, and pennyroyal naturally deter aphids and ants, so plant (or put them in pots) throughout the vegetable plot.

• Plant flowers that attract the pest predators, such as marigolds and nasturtiums

To maximise your space for growing fruit and vegetables, try:

1) Intercropping – sowing two crops in the same

row, one slow and one fast growing. Fast growing crops include Oriental salad leaves, lettuces, radishes, spring onions, spinach, and spring-planted shallots. Slow growers are parsnips, sweetcorn, tomatoes, leeks, winter cabbage, cauliflower, sprouting broccoli and Brussels sprouts.

2) Catch Cropping –sowing a fast- growing crop in the brief period a plot might be empty. Other jobs to do this month include:

• Earth up potatoes – when the leaves are about 20cm tall, draw up the earth on either side to form a ridge approx. 15cms high: this will protect the foliage from frost and stop the tubers going green.

• Cover carrots with netting to stop carrot fly damage.

• Put up bean and pea supports.

• Pick flowers off new strawberries to prevent them cropping in their first year.

• Seeds to sow out this month are too numerous to list, but a few include carrots, beetroot, French beans, lettuce, spring onions, salad leaves and peas.

• Try “succession sowing” a small batch of seeds every two or three weeks and you should have a steady supply rather than a glut: it will also help to maximise your chances of successful germination.

• Indoors, you can sow chillies, courgettes and squashes, runner beans, sweetcorn, aubergines, and cabbages.

Now, let’s hope for some good weather for growing and planting: enjoy!

SPONSORED BY THE SHED SHOP

What You Need To Know About Redundancy Pay: Part Two

What if the employer can’t pay?

If your employer is insolvent and cannot pay you your redundancy pay itself, you can apply to the Insolvency Service for your redundancy pay. You would need to complete an application online and then wait for the Insolvency Service to confirm what you are entitled to. You would not be able to claim enhanced redundancy pay through the Insolvency Service but you can claim the following:

• Statutory Redundancy Pay

• Any outstanding notice pay

• Any outstanding wages up to a maximum of eight weeks’ pay

• Up to six weeks’ accrued but untaken holiday pay

• Protective Awards (see below)

Tax and National Insurance contributions will be deducted from these payments and any government benefits you were entitled to may also affect the amount you receive. Likewise, if you owed your employer anything, such as money they loaned to you, this would also be deducted from your payment. If you have missed out on pension contributions, you may also be able to put in a claim for the shortfall. However, this claim would go to your pension scheme rather than the Insolvency Service.

For more information on how to claim through the Insolvency Service, see Explaining your redundancy payments – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Who to contact?

There is normally a redundancy payment helpline that employees can call for advice if their employer is insolvent. However, the gov.uk website says that the helpline is temporarily out of action due to the pandemic. For help, we are instead pointed to the Insolvency Service which you can email at redundancypaymentsonline@insolvency.gov.uk

What about business transfers?

Some businesses that are insolvent (or close to it) might not close down because they are bought out or taken over by someone else. If the business carries on under

new ownership, this might mean that staff will not be redundant and their employment will transfer to the new owner.

If this is the case, the employee will not be entitled to redundancy pay and can’t claim it from either their original employer or through the Insolvency Service.

Beware the sham redundancy!

A business in trouble and facing the prospect of having to pay large sums to make staff redundant might sometimes look around for another reason to dismiss an employee, one which doesn’t come with a right to redundancy pay. Often, this will be some alleged misconduct or poor performance. If this happens to you, you should take legal advice straightaway as you may have a claim for unfair dismissal. It is important that you keep records of what went on as best you can, whether that is keeping copies of relevant emails or text messages, or making notes of calls or conversations. There is a strict threemonth time limit for bringing an unfair dismissal claim so make sure you don’t delay in getting help.

What is a Protective Award?

A Protective Award is a form of compensation that an Employment Tribunal may order an employer to pay if they made more than twenty employees redundant at a single place of work without going through a proper consultation period first. The maximum compensation available is eight weeks’ pay and this is in addition to the other payments an employee is entitled to when made redundant.

We mention it here because if a Protective Award has been made by the tribunal but not paid by the employer because they are insolvent, this can also be claimed through the Insolvency Service.

Further help and guidance

We are specialist Employment Law solicitors. If you need any further help with redundancy, whether you are an employer or an employee, get in touch with our head of employment, Kim Cross, at kimcross@vinelaw.co.uk or ring (01945) 898090.

Managing someone else’s finances and the Court of Protection

If you have a family member or friend who is struggling to manage their finances, you may find yourself in a position of needing to assist them.

There are two ways that you can manage someone else’s finances. The first is for them to appoint you as an attorney under a Lasting Power of Attorney.

If they haven’t done that and they are no longer able to make their own decisions, you can apply to the Court of Protection to be appointed as their deputy.

What is the Court of Protection?

The Court of Protection is a specialist court set up to deal with decisions or actions relating to the Mental Capacity Act.

Amongst the things that they are responsible for are:

• Deciding whether someone has the mental capacity to make a particular decision for themselves

• Appointing deputies to make ongoing decisions for people who lack mental capacity

• Giving people permission to make one-off decisions on behalf of someone who lacks mental capacity

• Handling urgent or emergency applications where a decision must be made on behalf of someone else who lacks mental capacity.

What is Mental Capacity?

It is the ability to understand information and make decisions based on it. It is time-and decision-specific. For instance, someone might be able to decide what they want to eat for lunch but not be able to work out if they can afford to buy it.

The Court of Protection will need a report about the mental capacity of the person who is the subject of any application, giving information about how the lack of capacity has occurred and whether this is likely to be temporary or permanent.

Deputyship Orders

A deputy will normally be appointed to manage the finances and property of the person lacking capacity, as this will involve making decisions on an ongoing basis. This can include:

• Taking control of their bank account

• Managing their benefits, pension or income

• Paying their bills

• Buying or selling property on their behalf.

Who can be a Deputy?

Anyone who is aged over eighteen and who has mental capacity can apply to be someone’s deputy. Normally the application is made by a family member or close friend. If you are thinking of applying to be a property and affairs deputy for someone you should consider whether you have the skills to make the complex financial decisions that might be involved. There can be more than one deputy appointed for the same person. Where two or more people are appointed, they can either act:

• Together (a joint appointment) which means that they all have to agree of each decision; or

• They can act separately or together (a joint and several appointment) which means that each of the deputies can make decisions either on their own or with other deputies.

In some circumstances, it can be best to have a professional deputy if the situation is more complicated. A member of the team at Vine Law would be able to act as a deputy if it was felt that this would be in the best interests of the person concerned. If you’d like more information about applying to be a deputy or making decisions when appointed, please contact Cath Collins or Kieren Cross on (01945) 898090 or cathcollins@vinelaw.co.uk or kierencross@vinelaw.co.uk

Consumer Advice

How to Spot a Rogue Trader

By Eileen Le Voi at Safe Local Trades

Whilst many fraudsters have taken their scams to a more sophisticated level online, “doorstep rogue traders” are still making life a misery. Scams targeting older adults are the most common, (85% of victims of doorstep scams are aged 65+) –prime targets because of their retirement savings, vulnerabilities, or because they may live alone and are more likely to be at home during the day. With spring now here, many of us may be looking to improve our property, including the garden, driveway, fascias and cladding. However, before you’ve researched and contacted a tried and tested, reliable tradesperson, chances are that an unscrupulous cowboy builder or rogue trader will be knocking at your door, or that of a vulnerable, elderly neighbour. Whatever the job, big or small, don’t be tempted to give the work to someone who cold calls you, claiming to be “carrying out similar work in the area”

Look out for your neighbours and, if you belong to a Neighbourhood Watch Group (https://www. ourwatch.org.uk/), it would be advisable to adopt a blanket rule not to buy any products or services offered at the front door. More information can be found at https://www.safelocaltrades.com/ consumers/advice/doorstep-pedlars

Here are some of the more common “red flags” to help spot the signs, and keep you and your neighbours safe:

• Traders cold calling in your area.

• Building or maintenance work on your neighbour’s garden or house starting unexpectedly.

• Your neighbour appearing anxious or distressed.

• Poor quality work visible on the roof, driveway, or the property.

• Your neighbour being accompanied by a trader to visit an ATM, bank, building society, or post office. If you are concerned about you or an elderly and/ or vulnerable neighbour being a victim of rogue trading, call the non-emergency police line on 101. Safe Local Trades is a supporter of Friends Against Scams, which is committed to working towards stamping out rogue traders and other fraud. If you would like to find a reputable and recommended tradesperson in your area, visit www.safelocaltrades.com

TIME TO SPRING INTO ACTION...

By Steve Barclay MP

Now the clocks have changed and Easter is behind us, looking ahead to May and the long weekend of the King’s coronation, it finally feels like the dark days of winter are behind us and we’re heading closer to summer. Spring is one of the best times in the constituency as we see nature come into its own and new growth. As always, it has been a busy month. Wisbech Town Cricket and Hockey Club has just days left before its fundraising deadline of May 9th to support the new astroturf pitch. Raising £20,000 will allow the club to access another £10,000 pledged by Sport England Places and Spaces. Already, £375,000 has been raised to lay a new shock pad, sand-dressed playing surface, LED floodlights, spectator area and perimeter fence. But more money is needed for maintenance equipment, dugouts and replacement goals. See https://www. crowdfunder.co.uk/p/wtchc-pitch-refurbishment

Residents also have until May 12th to have their say about the future of healthcare in the constituency as part of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System’s new short survey on its draft Joint Forward Plan. Last October, more than 2300 people shared their views about local health and care services as part of the Let’s Talk: Your Heath and Care initiative, which helped shape the ICS’s Health & Wellbeing Integrated Care Strategy. The draft plan sets out how the ICS will deliver and improve health and care services over the next five years.

Feedback collected during Anglian Water and Cambridge Water’s first round of consultation on a £2 billion plan for a new reservoir between Chatteris and Wimblington has been published https://www.fensreservoir.co.uk/.../Fens-reservoir

More than 550 people attended events, and almost 350 made submissions about the scheme, which is designed to supply 250,000 homes with water. Over the coming months, the Anglian Water and Cambridge Water team will be working on the design of the reservoir, including the height, how it will be accessed, and conducting wildlife and ecological surveys to inform environmental assessments. There is lots of work to do to address

some of the concerns of local residents, in particular those with homes and businesses directly affected, and I remain concerned at the length of time those affected will have to live with uncertainty impacting their lives. I have raised this with the relevant business representatives and will continue to make this case in the weeks and months ahead. Meanwhile, although I appreciate not everyone will wish to delve into the technical detail regarding the flaws in the Wisbech incinerator proposal, I have shared my ten-page submission to the Planning Inspector, prepared in conjunction with a leading expert in environmental issues relating to waste incineration projects. I remain in no doubt that this is a deeply flawed scheme. The problems with the proposal I set out in my initial twelve-page report including the impacts from traffic congestion, visual impact, air pollution and proximity to local schools, etc, still apply but I also wanted to set out more detailed environmental analysis which further illustrates at a more technical level the flaws in this proposal.

Access to fast, reliable broadband is an essential part of modern life so it’s great news that the Government’s Project Gigabit has awarded a major contract to upgrade Cambridgeshire’s hard-to-reach areas to CityFibre. The project, which will take five years and deliver gigabitcapable connections to about 45,000 rural homes and businesses in the area, is worth £69 million. The contract, one of the first, will unlock a further £53 million commercial investment from CityFibre to expand its network to another 170,000 premises. In the constituency CityFibre has already invested £5 million in March, where the primary build is complete and thousands of homes now have access to speeds more than thirty times faster than superfast broadband, and another £3 million in Whittlesey, where work is currently underway. Digital connectivity is important to support economic growth and innovation as well as for entertainment, keeping in touch with friends and family, or working from home so I’m very pleased the rural hard-to-reach are being targeted to ensure no one gets left behind in the gigabit broadband upgrade.

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

GET READY FOR THE SUMMER HEAT

by making your conservatory a more useable room

The SupaLite roof uses a lightweight, aluminium frame, 150mm of humidity-proof insulation, a waterproof membrane and sturdy tiles to create a resilient conservatory that can withstand any weather! Producing a compliant product that is compatible with all roof styles. All ceilings are vaulted and finished with plaster with added LED lighting.

Matters COMMUNITY

LIONS ON THE PROWL IN 2023

March Lions Club members have kicked off their programme of events for 2023.

On Saturday, April 29th, the Lions held their inaugural Spring Fair in the grounds of St Peter’s Church, with stalls from local charities, small businesses and refreshments.

And on Saturday, June 10th, the Gala will return to West End Park as part of the March Summer Festival. It has been an integral part of March Lions Club’s calendar in many different forms for the majority of its forty-seven years.

Finally, on Saturday, September 30th, the annual Autumn Fair will return to the grounds of St Peter’s Church. Much like the Spring Fair, there will be stalls from local charities, small businesses and refreshments from March Lions.

March Lions Club is a voluntary organisation raising money to support local and national charities through our Gala, Santa’s Sleigh and other events. The group currently meets on the second Wednesday of the month at March Town Hall.

If you are interested in helping the club or would like more information please contact club secretary Lion Jenny Webb on (01354) 650855 or email revdjennywebb@btinternet.com

TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP TO FITNESS

Adults in Fenland are being encouraged to sign up for free classes including a first step fitness session in March.

The courses, which are being run by Fenland District Council’s Active Fenland team, are open to anyone who is over eighteen and either considers themselves to be overweight, has a BMI above twenty-five or is undertaking less than thirty minutes of exercise a week.

The First Step Fitness, a beginner's circuit-based fitness class, will be held at George Campbell Leisure Centre, City Road, March, PE15 9LT from 5.45pm to 7.45pm. The course started on Thursday, April 27th and will continue until Thursday, July 13th. Email activefenlandbookings@fenland.gov.uk or call 07517 532129 to book.

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

MOTHERʼS DAY COMPETITION WINNERS

Paper-chain in March offered two prizes in our Mother's Day competition that featured in the March issue.

In first place was a young lad called Jojo who surprised his mum Carly Cox, with his entry! Jojo picked his mum’s favourite colours for his winning balloon hug.

In second place was oneyear-old Mason, entered on his behalf by his nanny. Well done lads and thank you to all who entered!

DON’T FORGET YOUR PHOTO ID

Fenland residents are being advised to check their poll cards and be aware of changes at the local elections which take place on Thursday, May 4th. Voters will now need to provide photo ID when voting at a polling station, some ward boundaries have changed, and the location of polling stations may also be different to previous years.

Poll cards are now being sent to all registered voters in the district ahead of the all-out elections, when residents will have the chance to elect who represents them at parish, town and district New legislation has been introduced by the Government which means that people voting at a polling station will need to show photo ID before being issued with a ballot paper.

Only certain forms of ID can be used. The acceptable forms of ID include:

• a passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country

• a driving licence issued in the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)

• a biometric immigration document

• an Older Person's Bus Pass

• a Blue Badge (disabled parking permit)

Grey Squirrel

There is one place where it is lovely to see grey squirrels – in North America where they belong!

They were first introduced into the UK in 1876 as ornamental species in large estates. Introductions continued until 1930 when the disastrous effect was realised.

The Cambridgeshire Times reported the first one seen in March by Dennis Threadgill at the Post Office Yard on June 5th, 1970; now they are everywhere. It should be noted that red squirrels were never in the area because they need pine forest.

In 1981 a law was passed declaring grey squirrels to be vermin because of the negative effect on native red squirrels. It is illegal to keep a grey squirrel as a pet. If you capture a grey squirrel, it must be humanely destroyed which means taking it to a vet. Being larger and more robust than the native red squirrel, they will out-compete them causing the red squirrels to move to more marginal areas. There is no evidence that grey squirrels attack red squirrels. However, they carry squirrel pox and pass it on to red squirrels that have no resistance and who die a very unpleasant death.

In woodland they eat bark and if bark is eaten off all the way round branches, or the whole tree, they will die. Every year squirrel damage to forestry costs more than £40 million and constant culling is essential. Their lifespan is up to ten years but many do not survive that long. They breed after they are a year old and females will have a litter of three in both the spring and autumn; no wonder the population is now estimated at two-and-a-half million. They usually build a drey near the top of a tall tree for breeding. Given the opportunity they may choose

to use a large tree hole thus preventing birds, especially Tawny Owls, breeding. Their only natural enemies are stoats, foxes and goshawks.

In the trees they will take eggs and chicks from the nests of songbirds. Ground nesting birds and those using artificial nest boxes can also be attacked. In gardens they will eat seeds, bulbs, fruits and nuts. They will cache nuts and acorns for leaner times damaging lawns and garden plants. Many of these cached items can grow, which is not always a good thing.

If they get into your loft, they will eat insulation around electric wiring and could cause a fire. In a loft they can also damage fibre glass insulation and may pollute the roof tank with urine and faeces. However cute they look leaping about in trees, they are not pretty furry animals they are rodents and are basically tree rats. Please do not feed them or encourage them into your garden.

Next Gault Wood Work Party is Saturday, May 13th at 10am. If you'd like to support our work at the wood as a volunteer, please contact the Woodland Trust using this email: volunteering@woodlandtrust.org.uk Alternatively, you might like to support the Nature's Calendar project, which focuses on phenology, which is the study of plant and animal reaction to climate change. Nature's Calendar (woodlandtrust.org.uk)

Photo: Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) burying a nut in a lawn

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

Photo: Grey Squirrel in the USA

Garolla garage doors are expertly made to measure in our own UK factories, they’re strong and solidly built. The electric Garolla door rolls up vertically, taking up only 8 inches inside your garage, maximising valuable space. Our expert local installers will fit your new door and they’ll take away the old one too, so there’s no mess.

ALL

CASH PAID FOR

SILVER, BANK NOTES, COINS ETC...

Come and see us at:

MARCH: The Oliver Cromwell Hotel, High Street, March PE15 9LB on Monday 22nd May, 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.

Toenail reconstruction is a cosmetic or medical procedure performed by a podiatrist. We use a specialist gel that is layered either directly onto the nail or nail bed if no nail is present due to trauma or surgery. This is suitable for both men and women, with the option of a natural looking finish or gloss finish. This procedure creates a brand-new nail or covers unsightly or misshapen nails so that the nail is more aesthetically pleasing. This is perfect to disguise unsightly nails due to fungal infections, or damage to the nail bed.

This means that you can still have lovely looking feet for your holiday or special occasion and flaunt your feet in style. Nail reconstruction is not a permanent solution. The length of time that the nail reconstruction lasts will vary from person to person.

The new nail will generally last between four and six weeks but can last longer depending on how much of the nail is damaged; after this time, the reconstructed nail is removed and a new one can be reapplied.

A reconstructed toenail may be treated in exactly the same way you would treat a normal nail, meaning you can apply nail varnish and use a nail varnish remover.

Contact us now on 01354 651200 for more information about how we can help your damaged, ugly nails look beautiful again!

Heather Cox

PERSONALISED

I am an Accredited Funeral Civil Celebrant having trained with Civil Ceremonies Ltd to successfully complete and pass the National Qualification –NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy (RQF), which is the highest possible qualification in Funeral Celebrancy in the UK. This means you can have every confidence in me to create and deliver an appropriate and unique funeral ceremony. I am also a Member of the Institute of Civil Funerals

As a professionally trained Funeral Civil Celebrant I work with Funeral Directors, and will meet with you to create a truly personal funeral ceremony that is exactly as you wish it to be.

I am happy to include hymns and religious traditions if you would like to, or you can keep your ceremony completely non-religious if you would prefer. I enjoy working with people from all backgrounds and cultures and am keen to experience all types of service, from the traditional to the unconventional. You will be able to check the ceremony content beforehand and I will o er you a full text of the ceremony to keep afterwards.

The ceremony will capture the very essence of the person and tell the story of the life that has been lived.

Every life is unique, and every goodbye can be too. Create a funeral with us that’s right for you and for them

George James & Son incorporating Brewins Funerals 27 City Road, March PE15 9LT Call us, day or night, on 01354 350124

A Central Co-op funeral business

• 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.”

Your money is protected when you book your holiday with us

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.

What is Protected Trust Services?

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

FACT: Your Community Transport

Following a successful grant application from the ‘Know Your Neighbour Fund’ our Mobile Community Hub will be visiting villages in the coming months. Onboard will be information on our services, refreshments, Wi-Fi and we are working together with other organisations to help combat social isolation.

Dial a Ride is our pre-bookable scheduled service operating throughout the Fenland area providing a door-to-door timetable/route service for individual people unable to utilise conventional public transport services. Free if you hold a Cambridgeshire County Council bus pass. You must be a FACT member to use this service – at just £10 a year.

Dial a Car is a pre-bookable, paid for service which can be used by members who have no access to transport services. This service is predominantly for medical appointments but can be used for you to visit friends, relatives and holidays etc.

Group Bookings – our vehicles are available to local community groups/non-profit organisations

whose activities relate to social welfare, recreation, cultural or similar purposes. You must be a member of FACT to use this service and the cost of annual membership is £15. The Community Garden, Community Fridge (Mon & Fri 10am-12noon), Make & Mend – Weds 2pm-4pm & Saturday 10am -12pm) and Swap Shop are all based at the FACT Office, 5 Martin Avenue, March.

We have lots more to come at FACT and are always looking for volunteers to help improve our community. For further information on any of our services, please call (01354) 661234 or email hub@cotransport.org

Cost of Living

in East of England see an increase in poverty

Christians Against Poverty (CAP), Centenary Church March and Wisbech Baptist Church are encouraging people in the East of England to join the fight against poverty, as rising costs continue to have a devastating impact on local communities across the area and region.

YouGov polling shows 64% (3.2 million) of adults in the East of England have seen an increase in poverty in their local area and 88% (4.3 million) think it’s important more is done to tackle the problem. But many charities fighting poverty are facing funding struggles at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is driving increasing demand for their help.

East of England-based churches, in partnership with Christians Against Poverty, are collectively helping thousands of people to break free from poverty across the region with more than 2100 people becoming debt-free following their help. Centenary Church March and Wisbech Baptist Church are churches working hard on the frontline to offer face-to-face help to people in Fenland.

CAP’s latest YouGov poll shows poverty is on the rise in local communities across the UK and I’m certainly seeing people suffering here in Fenland due to rising costs and low incomes. Almost half of adults (2.2 million)

in the East of England have gone without heat at some point this winter. It’s likely to get worse unless we all play our part.

That is why Christians Against Poverty is launching a new campaign asking people to join the fight against poverty's stranglehold on our local communities.

To tackle poverty head on in 2023, we are asking politicians, energy providers, utilities companies, local organisations and individuals to all unite with the aim of ending UK poverty. We’ve come up with a number of simple ways you can join the fight against poverty here in Fenland and also across the UK. How to play your part

Discover: Learn more about the issues around poverty and how you can join the fight through following CAP on our social media channels, we’re on Twitter @CAPuk, Facebook @CAPuk, and Instagram @capuk_org

Connect: Whether you’re a local organisation, business or an individual, Centenary Church

in March and Wisbech Baptist Church would love to connect with you and have an informal chat about how you can play a part in tackling poverty in our area. Contact us via email linstanton@capuk.org if you’d be interested in helping us to help others.

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

By Lin Stanton Centre Manager for Fenland CAP

64% of communities

wages snatch Railway

By Peter Wright on behalf of March & District Museum

For generations, thousands of March

railwaymen had their wages paid in cash at the end of each week. In the 1960s, collection of this money from the National Provincial Bank in Broad Street was the responsibility of Securicor Ltd

At just after nine o’clock on Thursday, May 16th, 1963, £20, 266 in five leather grips (pouches] and guarded by three Securicor guards was placed in a blue Ford Anglia saloon car, which set off for the railway station. Suddenly, at about 9.20am, a Ford Consul car, which had been parked at the kerb just beyond Alpha Street in Station Road, started away and smashed head on into the wages car outside the Station Road Methodist Chapel.

Five men jumped out, some from the Ford Consul and some from a black and yellow Thames van parked in Alpha Street, and attacked the wages car. They were all wearing stocking masks over their heads. They smashed their way in with bricks and truncheons before attacking the Securicor guards. The guards retaliated with purple dye from a spray gun which would help identify the assailants if they were caught. The money pouches were snatched and the assailants escaped in the Thames van but not before one stumbled as a woman tried to snatch a bag back. He hurled verbal abuse at her and threatened her with a cosh.

An eye witness was postman Mr F P Mitchell, a former railway policeman, who was at J H Betts’ butcher’s shop. He heard the crash and ran to see what had happened. He quickly noticed the criminals were wearing masks and shouted for Mr Betts to telephone the police. Mr H (Bert) G Seaman of 'The Floral Shop' opposite the chapel also rang the police. Another eyewitness saw a lot of smoke and a criminal attacking a guard with a cosh. The road around the crashed cars was littered with broken glass, blood and purple dye from the spray gun.

Mr E Crabb, laundry manager of 140, Station Road, was able to follow the getaway van in his car. However, as Mr Crabb turned the corner in Robingoodfellow's Lane, near the GER sports ground entrance, he found that the van had stopped. A brick was thrown shattering his windscreen and injuring his arm which caused him to halt his pursuit. The thieves abandoned the Thames van in Norwood Road and transferred to another black van which was subsequently found at Graysmoor. The Thames van had been stolen and the other vehicles hired.

Following treatment by local doctors, the three guards were admitted to Doddington Hospital. Their injuries were not serious and they were quickly discharged back to their homes in Whittlesey and Peterborough.

Police said that the raid was carefully planned in advance and appealed for information from anyone who had seen suspicious behaviour in the days before the incident. Descriptions of four assailants were issued and Securicor offered a £2000 reward for any information.

No-one was ever arrested for the crime and the money was never recovered. Rumours circulated later, that the money was used to fund the infamous 'Great Train Robbery', which took place on August 3rd, 1963.

Ironically, the Methodist Chapel notice board was exhibiting a picture of two crashed cars and the legend 'See what two can do’!

Pictured: Cambs Times 17th May 1963 (Photo Cochran & Clarke, March)

Entry is FREE.

MAY & JUNE EVENTS

EVERY WEDNESDAY: LUNCHES

Served from 12 noon to 2pm

EVERY THURSDAY: PUB QUIZ NIGHT

7.30pm start, FREE entry, all welcome

CORONATION EVENTS:

SATURDAY 6th MAY CORONATION DAY

With entertainment from Louisa Nixon

We will be showing the Coronation during the day with a dance and buffet during the evening. Everyone attending receives a commemorative gift bag. Members £10, non-members £12

SUNDAY 7th MAY CORONATION AFTERNOON TEA

Followed by music from Dale Diamond Members £10, non-members £12 TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM THE CLUB NOW!

SATURDAY 13th MAY

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST NIGHT

Have some fun while we show the song contest on the big screen. With a sweepstake on the winning song or join the judging panel. Bring your own picnic! All welcome

SUNDAY 14th MAY SUNDAY CARVERY

With choice of desserts, tea and coffee £16pp – booking essential

SATURDAY 27th MAY

STATUS QUO TRIBUTE NIGHT WITH DIRE STRAITS WARM-UP SET

Members £10, non-members £12

SATURDAY 3rd JUNE

CLUB HOG ROAST NIGHT & DANCE

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.

Did You Know...

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?

MAY AT THE MOVIES

Get the mix tapes ready; the gang is back with some new members! Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will be giving us another adventure on May 3rd. Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), still reeling from the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), must rally his team around him to defend the universe as well as protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

Racing its way to our screens for the final chapter on May 19th is Fast X. Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family have outsmarted, out-nerved, and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they confront the most lethal opponent they’ve ever faced: a terrifying threat emerging from the shadows of the past who’s fuelled by blood revenge, and who is determined to shatter this family and destroy everything and everyone that Dom loves, forever. In 2011’s Fast Five, Dom and his crew took out nefarious Brazilian drug kingpin Hernan Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida) and decapitated his empire on a bridge in Rio De Janeiro. What they didn’t know was that Reyes’ son, Dante (Jason Momoa), witnessed it all and has spent the last twelve years masterminding a plan to make Dom pay the ultimate price. Which has left us all wondering how will this end?

With a thirst for adventure, we have The Little Mermaid on May 26th. Ariel (Halle Bailey), a beautiful and spirited young mermaid, the youngest of King Triton’s (Javier Bardem) daughters – and the most defiant – longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea. While visiting the surface, she falls for the dashing Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King). But mermaids are forbidden to

interact with humans, and Ariel must follow her heart... She makes a fateful deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula (Melissa McCarthy), giving her a chance to experience life on land but ultimately placing her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.

Eurovision 2023 at The Light

For the first time EVER, the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final show will be broadcast LIVE into cinemas across the UK, allowing fans to come together and be ‘united by music’ sharing in the incredible experience of celebrating the biggest, brightest, boldest music party of the year on the big screen! Hosted this year in Liverpool by the BBC on behalf of Ukraine to a global audience of more than 160 million, the 67th Eurovision Grand Final will take place on Saturday, May 13th. Here at The Light, we are very proud to show our support – and will be bringing some very special guests to help you enjoy the night of your life!

NT Live’s blistering political thriller: Best of Enemies, filmed live in London’s West End, screens on May 18th. It’s 1968 America, and while two men fight to become the next president, all eyes are on the battle between two others: the cunningly conservative William F. Buckley Jr., and the unruly liberal Gore Vidal. During a new nightly television format, they debate the moral landscape of a shattered nation. As beliefs are challenged and slurs slung, a new frontier in American politics is opening and television news is about to be transformed forever. Starring David Harewood (Homeland) and Zachary Quinto (Star Trek).

More blockbuster films coming your way include: The Flash, Barbie, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Book your tickets and find out more by heading over to wisbech.thelight.co.uk

The Little Mermaid Fast X Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 NT Live: Best of Enemies

SATURDAY 20th MAY

SOUL PARTY

£10 members, £12 non-members

FRIDAY 21st JULY

ABBA TRIBUTE

£10 members, £12 non-members

SATURDAY 1st JULY

ALL GLAMMED UP £8 members, £10 non-members

FRIDAY 18th AUGUST

ELVIS TRIBUTE

£10 members, £12 non-members

THE FUNCTION HALL IS AVAILABLE TO HIRE FOR PARTIES & WEDDINGS ETC PLEASE CALL US TO ENQUIRE

GER PRESENTSSports & Social Club

LOCAL

& GROUPS

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 4.30pm-5.45pm 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 10.30am-12.30pm at the Braza Club, Elm Road, March. This is a friendly group and everyone is welcome. £1 per session so pop along for a free taster and check us out. Please contact Wendy Summerlin on 01354 661997 for more details.

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

Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire Family History Society. Join us from 2-4pm on the first Wednesday of the month at March Library Meeting Room. We have speakers on both family and social history. For further details contact Wendy 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. call Yvonne on 01945 581360 for more information.

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

March 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 on 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

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: Your local brass band - we 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

Intrigue Circle of Light Clairvoyance Evenings: Every Monday; starts 7pm for 7.30pm at The Braza Club, Elm Road, March PE15 8NZ. £4/person. Please call 01354 655093 for information.

PHILIP AT DIAMOND BYTE

MALVERTISING

Most browsers, websites and Apps use push notifications as a form of marketing and in general these ‘Allow Website Notifications’ are fine as they simply let web developers notify users when new content is posted. However, over the last few years, criminals have been misusing these notifications to hide malware, a tactic known as ‘malvertising.’

Malvertising works when users open a website with Allow Website Notifications and are faced with a pop-up asking for permission to display notifications. If users agree, their choices are saved in browser options and criminals are then able to continually feed them with unwanted ads. These intrusive ads can in turn lead to malicious websites and can even run scripts that install malware. Some sites ask to ‘enable notifications, otherwise content will not be displayed.’ When the user declines, the pop-up keeps appearing until the website is closed. These notifications to display content are merely trying to trick users into clicking ‘Allow.’

Even with an adblocker installed, malicious push notifications can still get through as I have seen on many of my customers’ computers.

Typical signs that the push notifications you are getting are malicious are:

• Ads appear in places where they shouldn’t, e.g. your desktop, even when the browser is closed.

• Websites you used to visit are now not displaying properly, or you are redirected to another address.

• You get pop-ups which advertise fake software or updates, or warnings that you are infected, followed by prompts to install a specific clean-up tool (DON’T!).

• Apps and programs are installed on your PC that you don’t remember installing.

Don’t worry, they can be removed:

Google Chrome – go to Settings by clicking on the vertical three

dots, then scroll down to Site Settings and click, then click on notifications, then block all or some sites from sending you notifications.

Microsoft Edge – go to settings by clicking on the horizontal three dots, then on the left-hand menu click on Cookies and Site Permissions, now scroll down on the right hand side to Notifications and untick Ask Before Sending, this will block them all.

Mozilla Firefox – click on Options from the drop-down menu, then choose Privacy & Security from the list at the top left. Scroll down until you come to Permissions, click on the Settings button for notifications and you can see all the websites you allowed pop-ups from.

Finish by scanning your PC and cleaning it up with professional anti-malware software. To prevent infections with malicious push notifications, be cautious. Keep the list of websites from which you accept push notifications short and NEVER go online unprotected.

FOR THIS AND ALL OUR OTHER ARTICLES, GO TO WWW.DIAMONDBYTE.CO.UK

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