Discovering March issue 118, July 2023

Welcome to your July issue...

Iwas fascinated to hear that the actress, Dame Joan Collins had recently turned ninety, thus becoming one of the very few women who have remained international celebrities for eight decades. She puts her longevity and success down to energy, exercise, optimism, work and “living for today”. I quite like her take on the ‘Carpe Diem’ idea: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift; that’s why it’s called the present!”

Well, what a fabulous summer this looks like turning into, with long spells of warm and sunny weather ahead; I hope that hasn’t put the curse on the weeks to come, as heavy rain and storms never seem to be too far away in our wonderful country!

Whatever the weather, you’re always likely to ‘discover’ something to interest, inform and, hopefully, entertain you in your ‘favourite local magazine’!

When I was a boy July was always one of my favourite months. It was obvious really. School exams were over and the ‘six weeks’ holiday had arrived.

Those long summer days were spent playing football, cricket or tennis with my mates at the various local recreational grounds, swimming in the local pool, or just generally messing about.

Family holidays were invariably spent on the North Norfolk coast at traditional coastal resorts which hadn’t seemed to have changed for years when, before the invention of gastro pubs, the most glamorous meal was scampi and chips with something called tartare sauce...

As I became an older teenager, holiday time was sun, sea and sangria; happy days before the advent of work and bills!

Enjoy July and let’s hope it’s a hot one...

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

Inside Highlights

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With thanks to:

The Shed Shop, Vine Law, Eileen Le Voi, Joan Munns, Chris Donald, Steve Barclay MP, March Podiatry, Peter Wright, Diamond Byte, Lin Stanton, Trevor Langley, The Light Cinema and Derek Dack.

Deadline details:

Copy deadline for the August issue is Friday, 14th July 2023.

Cover photograph taken at March Summer Festival 2023, courtesy of Darren Hankins.

July is a joy, as you start to pick all those wonderful, fresh fruits and vegetables. However, the vegetable patch or allotment is still very demanding and watering and weeding are key. Those delicious early potatoes can now be lifted. They don’t store well, so eat them as soon as you can. Once lifted, a ‘green manure’ can be planted, such as mustard (a fast-growing crop), which will help prevent weed growth and can be dug in, when fully grown, to provide nutrients for the soil. Watch out for potato blight, common in the summer if the conditions are warm and rainy.

Although it is getting late for sowing and planting, there are still a few crops that can be planted:

• Lettuce, rocket, and a variety of salad leaves – succession sow for an ongoing supply in the autumn.

• Fast-growing varieties of peas, beetroot, and carrots.

• Florence fennel.

• Plant out your leeks. Just dib a hole about 150mm/6″ deep and drop the leek into the hole. Water it in and the job’s done! You do not need to fill the holes with soil; enough will wash in with watering and rain.

• Plant out cabbage, cauliflowers, Brussels, broccoli and kale for autumn and winter cropping, using the space created by lifting onions, garlic, and early potatoes.

• Edible flowers can be grown in amongst the vegetables. Not only do they provide colour in cooking but also attract beneficial insects.

Examples of flowers to grow are borage, nasturtium, viola, chives, lavender, marigold, and calendula.

Other jobs to do in the vegetable patch:

• Poor potato crops are the result of poor nutrition so try feeding potatoes with a tomato feed. Also check the potato plants and earth-up, if necessary, to prevent the tubers going green from exposure to light.

• When climbing beans have reached the top of the canes, pinch out the growing tip.

• Strawberries will finish fruiting, so tidy up old foliage and cut off runners or use them to produce new plants.

• Earth-up brassicas to give them a firm hold in the soil and give them a top-dressing of nitrogenous fertilizer or an organic liquid feed.

• Nip off the side shoots of your tomatoes. They appear in the “v” between leaf stems and main stems, and when there are four or five trusses, pinch out the growing tip of the plant to allow the fruit to ripen. Water them with a liquid feed as soon as the first fruits are formed. Likewise for peppers.

• Ensure that peas and brassicas are netted to keep off the pigeons.

• Plant potatoes ready for Christmas; garden centres usually stock the winter varieties.

Maybe you will have time for a cuppa whilst working (or a glass of Pimms!) – sit back in the sunshine, listen to the birds and marvel over the crops you have grown.

Enjoy!

SPONSORED BY THE SHED SHOP

Kay Marshall wanted to change the colour of her white front door and so husband Wayne (pictured) painted it by hand to save money and also replaced the handles and letterbox. However, so successful was his work that friends and family asked him to paint their doors leading to the formation of Doorbrite Ltd.

Wayne, a retained fire fighter for twenty years, originally carried out the work part-time but after being laid-off from his full-time job as a despatch manager decided to take a chance and go into the business full-time; since then it has expanded rapidly.

Wayne trained to paint spray, enrolling on numerous courses, and has since added other strings to his bow.

Kay said: “Wayne set up the company in January 2020, since then it has grown and grown. We consider ourselves to be very fortunate in managing to set up the company and picking up business not just locally but also from as far afield as Leeds and London.

“He believes it is important where possible to renew and recycle. People don’t always need to buy new they can have their doors transformed by us. If we can make something look new then there is no need to throw things away which makes it sustainable and also more convenient for families.”

From starting with exterior doors and garages Doorbrite has now added other services to its portfolio.

It specialises in kitchen cabinet paint spraying and all other types of domestic doors and window

paint spraying, ranging from internal doors, wardrobes, bedroom furniture, garages, ceramic tiles, worktops and more in many colours in a beautiful fine finish.

The company’s main services include kitchen cabinet paint spraying and installing new door furniture and kitchen cupboard handles and they have a showroom located at 9 Dartford Road, March.

I can't thank Wayne and Tom enough for the outstanding work that has been carried out across the whole of my new-build house. Both are polite, respectful, with can-do attitudes with minor changes that were dealt with on the spot. Professional and kind, I will be using Doorbrite Ltd again in the future and fully recommend them to my family and friends. Thank you.

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIAL

Wayne, who is supported in the business by Kay and brothers Tom and Ben Hunter, is an accredited UKLA locksmith and is City and Guilds trained and DBS cleared. The company is a member of both Checkatrade and Trustpilot and is fully insured.

Kay added: “We are amazed that what started as a little experiment has grown into a full-blown business.”

Doorbrite Ltd, which has a sister company Ovenbrite Ltd, has a showroom at 9 Dartford Road, March, Cambs PE15 8LA.

Tel: 0800 999 1070

Email: info.doorbrite@gmail.com www.doorbrite.co.uk

A home DIY job has led to the creation of a successful March business

When should we start planning for our later years?

With one in six people in the UK being 65 or over and with more people now living in to their nineties, the point at which we start to think of ourselves as old has moved considerably, even from a generation ago.

It also means that we tend to feel that we have much more time to plan for our old age and in particular to put wills in place and set up Lasting Powers of Attorney.

However, it is estimated that by 2025 there will be over one million people in the UK living with a diagnosis of dementia and research suggests that over half of the UK public know someone who has been diagnosed with some form of dementia. For this reason, we believe that it is never too early to plan for the future.

When should I make my will?

We’d suggest that when you purchase your first home; when you have your first child or if you inherit a large sum of money that you should then think about making a will as you have something to leave or someone to look after in the future.

Your first will is likely to be fairly straightforward but if the worst happens it will make life simpler for those that you leave behind.

We’d suggest reviewing your will every five years. Because we feel that this is so important we offer a free will review service. We go through your will with you checking that it still works for you and we’ll suggest how it might be altered if your circumstances have changed.

What if I can’t manage my affairs?

With Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) the view seems to have been taken that these are only for the elderly.

Our view is that if you want to make certain, at any age, that you and your finances can be looked after either if you are not able to make decisions for yourself or if you suffer from a physical injury that limits your ability to manage your finances then you should put LPAs in place.

Without a Lasting Power of Attorney if you became unable to manage your affairs then someone will have to apply to the Court of Protection to be appointed as your deputy. This can be a long drawn-out process taking up time that the applicant could be spending with you. It may also mean that your finances will not be able to be managed for up to twelve months with all the chaos that could arise from that.

Here at Vine Law we believe that it is never worth putting off until tomorrow what you can do today so if you’d like to talk to us about your first will, review your current will or have a chat about how Lasting Powers of Attorney might help you and your family if you were involved in an accident or became ill then give us a call on 01945 898090 or contact Cath Collins via email at cathcollins@vinelaw.co.uk

Make Sure that IT Security is High on Your Holiday Check List

By Eileen Le Voi at Safe Local Trades

The long summer holidays are almost here, and many of us will be taking a well-earned break; either some down-time with our other half or a family adventure with the children. However, the chances are (and these chances soar if you have teenagers!) that your mobile phone or tablets will be catching that flight or ferry with you. You may be needing to catch up on work emails or simply want to flood your social media channels with photos of your getaway. But how do you look after those devices like laptops and PCs that will most likely be staying at home? Home insurance and/or travel insurance will cover most cases of theft or accidental damage (be sure to check your policy) but here are a few simple steps to make sure your devices are safe:

• Backup your devices: It’s so simple and it should be something you do regularly but it’s easy to forget. Don't just back up to the cloud; consider having a backup to a separate hard drive too.

• Update your software: Again, a simple task that’s easily forgotten but can make a huge difference if anything goes wrong. Making sure you have up-to-date security software is paramount!

• Secure your devices: Use a PIN, pattern lock or two factor authentication. Don’t forget to add security authentication to your laptops and PCs and please think carefully about any passwords you are using.

• Be wary of which Wi-Fi you connect to: Think carefully before connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi as there’s a huge risk that your devices could be hacked, sensitive data stolen or get infected with malware.

• Be careful what you share on social media: You might think you’re just making your friends envious with your beach photos but if you make it public that you are away from home, any thieves will be able to take advantage of your absence. Check who sees your posts and consider making it private to ‘friends only’, so you know only those you trust can see where you are.

Safe Local Trades member Ben Hemp from File Genie can offer a wealth of advice and support, whether it’s about updating your software or backing up your devices. Get in touch at www.member.safelocaltrades.com/file-genie

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

DOG CONTROL IN FENLAND

Fenland District Council has been seeking the public’s view on whether an order which helps tackle issues associated with irresponsible dog ownership, such as dog fouling, should be renewed. Under the existing Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), the council can take enforcement action against people who breach dog control restrictions in public areas, including:

• Failing to clear up dog fouling

• Failing to put a dog on a lead if requested by authorised officers

• Failing to keep a dog on a lead in some open children’s play areas, public facilities, closed cemeteries, and churchyards

• Ignoring dog exclusions at fenced/gated children’s play areas and open cemeteries. The order expires in October 2023 and a consultation on the PSPO renewal was due to end on June 30th.

SUPPORT WITH COST OF LIVING

Fenland residents have been accessing information on how to reduce and manage household bills and the cost of living at a series of informal events.

Fenland District Council has been hosting a string of ‘Community Chat and Advice’ sessions across the district where people had the chance to visit stands run by a variety of support organisations in an indoor market style environment.

Visitors have been able to enjoy free tea, coffee and cake and get information on everything from benefits to energy bills, food costs, managing budgets and where to turn if in distress.

Stallholders included Fenland District Council, Rural Cambs Citizens Advice Bureau, local energy organisation PECT, Healthy You, Cambridgeshire County Council's Think Communities Team, Anglian Water, Clarion Housing and Healthwatch. Visit the council's Cost of Living Support webpage: www.fenland.gov.uk/costoflivingsupport

Matters COMMUNITY

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

WORK TO START ON MARCH’S BROAD STREET REGENERATION

The next stage of March town centre’s multi-millionpound regeneration was due to get underway at the end of June.

Transport infrastructure provider Octavius was expected to begin work on the Broad Street transformation project late last month, following the completion of major underground gas and water main upgrades undertaken by Cadent Gas and Anglian Water over the past few months. It’s the next step in a programme of inter-related schemes being delivered by various partners to transform and futureproof the town centre for years to come.

The primary build of CityFibre’s £5 million super-fast broadband investment – offering service to more than 8500 homes in the town – was completed in March and the March Market Place refurbishment works were finished in April.

Now Octavius is due to transform the existing road layout and create a new public realm area with new seating, trees and planters, new street lighting and new zebra crossings to improve pedestrian safety.

The two existing northbound lanes and traffic lights will be replaced with a single lane in each direction and a new mini roundabout, improving traffic flow and reducing delays at all approaches to the junction, which it’s claimed will also improve air quality in Broad Street.

Work will take around twelve months to complete, with the new roundabout and road open in spring 2024, and the public realm works to follow. The changes are said to include:

• Sensitively relocating the Grade 2 listed ornamental fountain

• Creating a new stepped seating area overlooking the river

• Refurbishing the stepped access around the War Memorial and the steps leading to the river

• New planters, constructed of monolithic stone, and tree pits, incorporating root systems and uplighters

• The provision of two new bus stops and four new zebra crossings

• New street lighting, architectural lighting and pop-up power supplies

• Drainage improvements

• Installation of new signs and road markings

The old Barclays Bank, recently purchased by Fenland District Council with funding from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund for redevelopment, has been let to Octavius for use as a site office during the works. Being based on site will ensure greater efficiency and less disruption and also offers cost savings across the Broad Street scheme. The works are being delivered with £3.6 million of funding from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, awarded to Fenland District Council and over £6 million from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority – £2million from the Combined Authority’s Market Towns Programme, and a further £4.2 million from the Combined Authority’s major funding for March in the March Area Transport Study (MATS).

Cllr Chris Seaton, Fenland District Council’s portfolio holder for transport and lead member of the March Future High Streets steering group, said: “I’ve said it before, but this really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for March to reverse the decade of decline that has affected high streets up and down the country, and revitalise its town centre now and for generations to come.”

Cllr Jan French, deputy leader of Fenland District Council, town, district and county ward member for March, Chair of March Area Transport Study (MATS) Group and member of the March Future High Streets steering group, said: “This is an exciting time for March, with the Market Place improvements and huge investment in digital

connectivity and major utilities upgrades already completed, and now major changes to transform the town centre beginning to take shape.

“Regeneration of this scale is incredibly complex, even more so with the challenges more widely in the construction industry. But by working with all our community partners, council officers and appointed specialists we will continue to develop and drive forward plans to ensure March town centre is a place that people want to live, work, and invest in.”

LOCAL WALKING AND CYCLING MAPS LAUNCHED

More walking and cycling maps aimed at encouraging Fenland residents and visitors to explore the area on foot or by bike have been launched by Fenland District Council. There are now walking and cycling maps available for all four Fenland market towns, after the newest ones were introduced for March and Chatteris. All the maps, created as part of the council’s Cycling, Walking and Mobility Aid Improvement Strategy, highlight the plentiful opportunities for travelling more actively across the district. As well as identifying popular walking and cycling routes, the maps also combine routes to key locations in the towns and link them to longer, more challenging cycling routes connected to the National Cycle Network routes which run across Fenland. All four maps are available to download from the council’s website or picked up from community outlets across Fenland. Visit www.fenland.gov.uk/ cyclingmaps for more information.

The maps are also available to download from the Hereward Community Rail Partnership website: https://herewardcrp.org/events-and-activities/ category/outdoor-activities/

Photo: The newly completed March Market Place. From left: Cllr Steve Count, Cllr Chris Seaton and Cllr Jan French Illustration: Broad Street, north – artist’s impression

March Wildlife and March Woodland Groups

By Joan Munns,

Those of you who have visited our stalls at various galas and fairs in March will see we call ourselves March Wildlife Group and this was how it all began.

In 1988, what is now The Wildlife Trusts BCN (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire) called a meeting to form a group to serve the local membership of The Wildlife Trust. A good number of people attended and March Wildlife Group was formed. We organised monthly evening slide shows during winter months and summer outings, in shared cars, to nature reserves in the area. Our main activity was planting trees. The trees each side of the level crossing in Upwell Road, along the Woodman’s Way, beside the bypass south of Burrowmoor Road, along the north side of the road alongside the Twenty Foot River near Chain Bridge and the allotment near Grandford Corner on Wisbech Road were all our work plus many private sites. In 1994 land near March Golf Course was for sale and we tried to interest The Wildlife Trusts in purchasing land to plant a wood. At that time, their work excluded planting trees in empty fields. The Woodland Trust were very interested and purchased the sixteen-acre field that is now Gault Wood. The cost of the land and trees was £25,000 and we raised it in a year from grants, bingo, slide shows etc. Local interest was good and in December 1994 about two hundred people turned out to start the tree planting. We continued as March Wildlife Group until 2012 when we were persuaded by The Wildlife Trusts

to form a separate group. We called the new group March and District Woodland Group with a separate bank account. We still have the same committee but two pages of minutes and two sets of accounts, one for each group.

In 1988, we were all between forty and sixty years old; inevitably numbers for evening meetings and summer excursions dwindled to the point where they ceased to be viable.

Each year we get thinner on the ground and need some new and much younger committee members. We have a number of people who attend work parties at Gault Wood and a few have joined the committee and help at our stalls at galas and fairs.

We no longer have a warden for Norwood Road Nature Reserve so cannot do practical work there as there has to be a designated organiser for health and safety reasons. The only thing a warden needs, other than enthusiasm, is some form of transport to take tools around and to attend training courses organised by The Wildlife Trusts. It would be good to have a Facebook page but none of the current committee is prepared to take it on and maintain its information.

Our committee meets every few weeks on a Thursday evening at present. If you would like to become involved with our group or are interested in being Warden of Norwood Road Reserve, please forward some information about yourself to munnsjoan@gmail.com

Next Gault Wood Work Party is Saturday, July 1st, at 10am.

of March Wildlife Group & March & District Woodland Group

Photo: John Claydon and Alan Palmer

Photo: March Wildlife Group stall

Interesting and Curious Facts of Yesteryear

Written by Chris Donald, author of ‘Wisbech’s Secret Princess’ and ‘Interesting and Curious Facts of Yesteryear’

MARCH BEATS WISBECH or did they?

In 1847 the first railway line came to March and Wisbech. But Wisbech ended up having two railway stations and March only one. Admittedly, the railway station at March did have seven platforms.

The people behind the rail system looked favourably at Wisbech as it had a sea port with connections to Europe. Even ‘King’ Hudson who made and lost a fortune on the railways came to Wisbech to assess the feasibility of marshalling yards. Marshalling yards shunted trains and wagons according to their different destinations.

To have a marshalling yard they needed land to the north of Wisbech. This was owned by the multi-millionaire Lord Alexander Peckover who had about four thousand acres. He was quite willing for them to have some land but as he was a Christian, he didn’t want it used on Sundays. At that time the Sabbath was still considered Holy and no shops opened on Sundays. Actually, not much at all happened on a Sunday except church services. Since they of course wanted to use it seven days a week that was no good to them.

So, they had to look elsewhere.

And that’s how March ended up with the marshalling yards. Was it the fault of the Peckovers? Work on it started in the 1920s and 30s on the Whitemoor yards. It soon became the most revolutionary state-of-the-art marshalling yards in the country and at one time there were more people working on the railway in Cambridgeshire than in any other county in Britain. An amazing 17,273 wagons and trucks could be accommodated at any one time and although, not being the best marshalling yard in the whole world, March’s newspaper, the Cambridgeshire Times claimed MARCH’S CLAIM TO WORLD FAME. But then came the Second World War and Britain heavily bombed the largest marshalling yards in the world at Hamm in Germany and because of this Whitemoor was then the largest marshalling yard complex in the world and not Hamm.

The Germans did bomb the marshalling yards at March but a decoy yard was set up four miles away with lights as if it were the marshalling yards which helped fool the Germans. And yet, with all this the Germans still ended up managing to kill five people, injuring thirty and destroying six houses and damaging one hundred in March. They dropped forty-nine high explosive bombs and one hundred and fifty incendiary bombs. It was bad for March but it could have been a whole lot worse.

In the 1960s there was a decline in the railway network and in consequence some stations were closed. This meant the yards weren’t needed so much and in 1972 the down yard was closed and ten years later the up yard was closed. The large complex was redundant. What do you do with a derelict unused piece of land?

It was then decided that a new network rail distribution centre was needed and in 2004 a much smaller one was built. That left a large piece of derelict land! So, what did they do? They built Whitemoor High Security Prison at a cost of £58 million. It was to house 458 very dangerous prisoners. That means it cost more than £126,000 per prisoner. It has a Dangerous Severe Personality Disorder Unit as well as a Close Supervision Unit. Behind those walls have been some of the most dangerous and difficult prisoners and mass murderers in the country like Dennis Nilsen who killed sixteen young men.

In 2020 two prisoners managed to stab a prison officer and three officers and a nurse who went to his aid suffered injuries. In another incident an officer was thrown against a wall landing unconscious on the floor.

But even worse, in 1994, six prisoners, including the IRA, managed to get hold of a gun and escape. Luckily, they were soon caught but it made the headlines in all the national newspapers, except for the March local paper, the Cambridgeshire Times which led the front page with... A MARCH WOMAN LOSES WEIGHT!

Network of rails at March

Goddens Home Interiors prides itself on being a one-stop for people moving into new homes. The company is passionate about helping its customers transform their living spaces into warm and inviting homes. With more than fifty years’ experience in the home furnishings industry, it has built a reputation for providing exceptional service, high-quality products, and expert installations.

Formerly Roll Out The Red, the family business founded by Mike Godden in 1999, established a reputation for selling superior quality carpets and flooring at competitive prices.

Over the years the company moved into other markets in and around the home, such as blinds, shutters, curtains, lighting, fabrics and much more, operating from spacious premises at 30 Thorby Avenue, March.

However, in March this year the company, now led by Mike’s son Aaron, decided to move out of the premises and into a new bespoke interiors studio nearby at Unit C6, March Enterprise Park, Thorby Avenue.

Aaron said: “We had seen a change in the business climate and suffered an increase in costs so I decided the time was right to evolve the business. I am good as a person in taking a business negative and turning it into a positive and so decided to change the way we operated.

“We have been all about repeat business, having a ninety-five percent conversion rate,

THE INTERIOR EXPERTS

but the time was right to go for new business by offering bespoke appointments for half-anhour or an hour with individual customers to operate as a one-stop shop supplying mid to high-end, quality products.

”We have evolved over the years and are not just a carpet floor fitting business. We now put together whole rooms for people and supply a range of services from quality carpets, Karndean and Harvey Maria floors, made to measure curtains and blinds as well as shutters and awnings.”

Aaron said the soft furnishing department led by Susan O’Hara has proven particularly successful.

He said: “Susan has more than thirty years’ experience and her team, which specialises in hand sewn made-to-measure curtains and fabrics, is fantastic. The shutter side of the business, via our Fenland Shutter Company, has also proven to be very popular.

“Our main aim is to provide a personal and professional service and provide quality products. We receive fantastic reviews and are now in a better shape to take the business forward.”

Goddens Home Interiors, Unit C6, Enterprise Park, Thorby Avenue, March PE15 0BD. Opening hours: Monday-Friday; 8.30am4.30pm; Saturday mornings by appointment only. Tel: (01354) 658100; Email: home@goddensinteriors.co.uk; www.goddenshomeinteriors.co.uk

NEW HOSPITALS GET GO-AHEAD

By Steve Barclay MP

Iwas delighted to be able to announce in my role as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in the House of Commons that the Government is funding two new hospitals of particular interest locally. King’s Lynn and Hinchingbrooke will have brand new state-of-the-art hospitals, which will be hugely beneficial for patients across North East Cambridgeshire.

The rebuild of both the Queen Elizabeth and Hinchingbrooke hospitals has been sorely needed for some time. Having visited both hospitals myself many times and hosted a number of meetings with neighbouring MPs, I am well aware of the need for new hospitals to address the concerns with the existing concrete designs. The confirmation that funding is now in place is very positive news – for patients, staff and the local community.

Many North East Cambridgeshire constituents will have visited these hospitals at some point, including my family for the birth of my son at King’s Lynn, so I know from personal experience how important it is to those in the constituency and beyond.

We are also making real progress with the new community diagnostic centre for North Cambridgeshire, enabling more scans and tests to be done in the community. This is in addition to the recent additional funding into primary care which I announced in Parliament last month with extra funding for GPs, the news that the manifesto commitment to recruit an extra 26,000 primary care staff has been delivered early, the rollout of greater patient choice and the improved functionality we are developing on the NHS App to enable constituents to access services more easily such as for repeat prescriptions, accessing patient records, or when moving home registering with a GP.

Elsewhere, it will be great to see local art on show at the first Open Exhibition at the new Wisbech Gallery this summer. This first event is a fabulous opportunity to showcase artists from across the area and will run from July 1st to October 14th at the Octavia View Building, South Brink, Wisbech. The new gallery is a partnership between Blackfield Creatives and The Ferry Project, which owns the building, to deliver cultural and creative events, including exhibitions and workshops.

Like several constituents who have contacted me, I am concerned about the lack of progress on the former Cashino building at 5 Market Place in Wisbech. Since a devastating fire over a year ago, the listed building has been surrounded by scaffolding. However, CNC Building Control have informed me that they expect work to begin within the next few months. It’s likely that the building will be demolished, but the façade retained. Derelict buildings are an eyesore and have a negative impact on our historic town centre.

Finally, I’m delighted to confirm that my Read to Succeed campaign has once again raised enough money to buy a book for every Year 4 child in the constituency to take home with them at the start of the school summer holidays. This year the books have been chosen by the Norfolk Children’s Book Centre and the books that children could receive are Ghost by Jason Reynolds, which is part of the New York Times best-selling series; The Incredible Record Smashers by Jenny Pearson; and The Unlucky Eleven by Phil Earle.

We’ve given more than 15,000 books to students in North East Cambridgeshire over the last eight years thanks to the support and generosity of businesses, organisations, councils and individuals. Marshall Aerospace popped in to see me with a £400 donation and I’d like to thank them and the many others who have donated and helped to improve literacy and inspire a love of reading in our young people.

To find out more about my work in Parliament or local campaigns, visit my website www.stevebarclay.net or follow me on social media:  @SteveBarclay  @SteveBarclayOfficial

 @SteveBarclayOfficial

Photo: Steve Barclay receives the cheque from Marshall Aerospace for Read to Succeed

As the warm weather of summer beckons, it's time to shed our winter boots and slip into sandals and flip-flops. But before you expose your feet to the world, it's important to give them some extra TLC. Proper foot care during summer can help prevent discomfort, pain, and potential foot problems. Here are some podiatry tips to share for keeping your feet in top shape this season.

Hydration is key: Staying hydrated is not only vital for your overall health but also for your feet. Dehydration can lead to dry, cracked skin. Remember to drink plenty of water to maintain adequate moisture levels.

Nail care: Trim your toenails rounded at the end to prevent ingrown nails. Avoid cutting them too short as it may increase the risk of infection. Regularly inspect your nails for discoloration or thickening, which may indicate a fungal infection.

Sunscreen for feet: Apply sunscreen generously to your feet, especially the tops and sides. Don't forget to protect the delicate skin on your feet from harmful UV rays to prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Moisturise daily: Keep your feet moisturised to prevent dryness and cracking. Choose a goodquality foot cream and apply it after showering or before bedtime. Focus on areas prone to dryness, such as heels and soles.

Proper footwear: Choose open-toe shoes that provide adequate support and cushioning. Look for styles with arch support and avoid

flat, unsupportive flip-flops. Remember to wear breathable socks with closed shoes to prevent excessive sweating and fungal infections.

Preventing fungal infections: To minimise the risk of fungal infections or verrucae, avoid walking barefoot in public areas like pools, gyms, and communal showers. Wear flip-flops or water shoes in changing rooms to protect your feet from potential infections.

Foot hygiene: Wash your feet daily with warm water and mild soap. Pay special attention to the spaces between your toes, where moisture can accumulate, leading to bacterial or fungal infections. Remember to dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes.

Regular exercise: Keep your feet active and healthy through regular exercise. Walking, jogging, or performing simple foot stretches can strengthen muscles, improve circulation, and reduce the likelihood of foot pain and injuries.

Remember to seek professional care if you experience persistent foot pain, swelling, or any concerning symptoms, don't hesitate to consult a podiatrist. Our team of podiatrists can provide a proper diagnosis, recommend suitable treatment, and offer expert advice personalized to your needs. By following these summer foot care tips, you can enjoy the season to the fullest while keeping your feet healthy and happy. Embrace the warmth, stay active, and step out confidently with feet that are ready to take on any adventure!

Meet Mary

How

My friends have or are still fostering. I would see them at events or gatherings and ask questions about the process, the challenges, and the rewards.

I am a single parent and was able to give up my role as a social worker to become a foster parent. I knew I needed lots of time to support a child in my home, and I felt ready to take the next step and apply.

The assessment was quite in-depth, so they knew a lot of information about me ready to match me with a child.

They allocated me a social worker who stayed with me through my fostering journey and provided me with lots of support in person and over the phone. When you are matched with a child, you will know information about the child before they come to live with you so you can prepare for their arrival. I get excited every time I get a referral, and it brings a smile to my face if it’s a match.

Once I had decided that fostering was what I wanted to do, I knew it was the right time to reach out to Nexus Fostering. I had researched a lot about fostering and had an initial home visit from a Nexus Fostering social worker.

It was a relaxed visit, I felt at ease and comfortable and you can ask as many questions as you like! Nexus Fostering then assessed my home and found out about my family, life experiences, and the support I had around me. The process took six months, and I was given extensive training during this period which fitted around my daily life commitments at the time.

Get in touch to find out how you can support a child just like Mary by phoning

01223 778 266 or visit nexusfostering.co.uk/ cambs

What was it like when you met your first foster child?

My experience was very exciting. I wanted to make sure the child felt at ease and welcomed into my home. I have fostered a variety of placements, including parent and child, babies, and a mixture of ages

I love getting to know each child, allowing them to come out of their shell and feel settled into the home. Each child is unique in their own way and you adapt to each foster child.

I could always pick up the phone to Nexus Fostering with any questions I had if I was ever unsure about anything. I have enjoyed being a part of the Nexus Fostering team for nearly 10 years now and have a great relationship with my Supervising Social Worker.

What was the process you went through to become a foster parent?

was the matching process for you?

Why did you become a foster carer?

March Railway Band

AT OSTEND FESTIVAL

By Peter Wright on behalf of March & District Museum

The 35th Ostend annual music festival of 1928 lasted from May to September. Any choral society or band could enter, whatever its merits. There was no entrance fee and each band chose its own programme of music.

Arrangements for March Railway Silver Prize Band to attend were made by secretary Mr P Millington. The band assembled on the Market Place on Friday, July 6th before marching to the station led by bandmaster A E Steele. They caught the 6.42pm boat train to Harwich.

During the crossing to Zeebrugge, on board RMS 'Roulers', they played on deck a series of lively dance tunes that were much appreciated by the passengers. They docked just before 6am and were conveyed along the historic mile for the fifty-minute electric train journey to Ostend. They then had free time before marching again to the local war memorial where a wreath was placed by Mr Steele. It had an inscription ‘To Belgian bandsmen who fell in the Great War (1914) from March (England) Railway Silver Band’. After an exchange of pleasantries, the band marched to 'La Place d'Armes' where about five thousand people had gathered. They played seven pieces with five encores. The president

and secretary of the festival congratulated the band on their marvellous playing. Mr Steele was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers from a young woman on whose cheek he planted a gentle kiss in appreciation.

On Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon the band played again. Each time they marched round the same venue lead by a banner and festival officials. The applause was deafening. During the weekend, eighteen bands from Belgium, France and Germany played. A silver cup for the best performance was awarded to March along with a bronze diploma in recognition of their splendid performances. Each bandsman was presented with a gold medal which was inscribed ‘Oostende – Ostende 35th Festival, 1928’. After thanking the hotel staff for their kindness, the band left Ostend at 9pm to take the train back to Zeebrugge from where they sailed at 11.30pm. Arrival at Harwich was at 5.45am for the train back to March where they arrived at 9.56am. March stationmaster Mr W F Webb, who was president of the band, welcomed them on their return and the bouquet of flowers from Belgium was placed on March's war memorial.

Pictured: The Silver Band outside the original Railway Station with Bandmaster A E Steele centre

PHILIP AT DIAMOND BYTE

FAKE NEWS

I’d like to bring to your attention this month a new trend of ‘Fake News’ currently appearing on a great number of websites, including Facebook, Google and Twitter. Fake news is posted for a number of reasons: trying to influence opinion; attacking a political opponent (the 2016 presidential election is a prime example); stock manipulation scams; to sell advertising; and most popularly to shock people into clicking on the link and then infect their machine with malware (celebrity deaths).

For example, one of my customers saw a supposedly genuine news story on Facebook reporting that Noel Edmonds had died. When he clicked on the link, the entire page tuned into a huge virus warning saying he had less than five minutes to phone the support number at the bottom of the page otherwise his computer would become inoperable. This was a ruse (there was no virus) and just an excuse for the offending company to

charge £150 for TEN minutes of support as well as selling him some anti-virus for a further £20.

Another example is the advert claiming you can become a millionaire overnight. These ads are usually placed next to an image of a famous person of great wealth and the scheme is described as his/her secret and people are encouraged to sign up.

So how do you know if a news story or advert is real or fake?

• Avoid websites that end in ‘lo’, for example Newslo. These sites take pieces of accurate information and then package that information with other false or misleading ‘facts’

• Watch out for websites that end in ‘.com.co’ as they are often fake versions of real news sources, and strange or unusual domain names are a big Red Flag

• Check to see if other known and reputable news sites,

such as the BBC are also reporting on the story

• If it is an anonymous story and there is no known/ trusted author, it’s probably fake

To summarise, consider the source, double check if the data is correct using other reliable sources, and most importantly think before you click!

If you do happen to click on a fake news story, you will need to force your browser to shut down. To do this, press CTRL-ALT-DELETE (all at the same time), open Task Manager, then select your web browser (it’ll probably be called Edge, Chrome, or Firefox) and click the End Task button. This will kill the fake virus web page. Once you have done this, you can reopen your web browser BUT DO NOT TRY TO RESTORE THE PREVIOUS SESSION.

And please, if ever you see a fake story, do report it to the platform you found it on.

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

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

By Lin Stanton, Centre Manager for Fenland CAP

CAPTIVATE THE KIDS ON A Summer Budget

Lots of parents will be trying to limit spending money on activities, food and outings this summer. With the cost of food and other essentials having soared over the past year, finding free things to do with the kids is going to be a priority for lots of families this summer. Here are five money saving tips to keep kids entertained this summer.

Set the summer fun factor to ten

Start as you mean to go on and set the bar for fun from day one. Did you know July 1st is International Joke Day? Why not gather your best gags together and take turns to tell them at the dinner table? Or perhaps create a small stand-up show!

Create a theme day

Most of us have heard about theme parks, but how about having a theme day at home?

A ‘Dinosaur Day’ could involve wearing your favourite dino outfit all day, eating like a T-Rex or stomping and roaring in the park. Themes can shape the whole day, from what you eat, where you go and what you do.

Low-cost meals

The school holidays can be a difficult time for many families. With the sudden break from free school lunches, it places an

added burden on parents to budget for extra food. Lots of restaurants and cafes offer £1 or free children’s meals during the holidays, so it’s worth checking out what’s on offer near you.

Join your library’s summer reading challenge

If you haven’t already, join your local library – it’s free. As well as having access to hundreds of physical books and audio stories, lots of libraries run storytelling, craft or even Lego sessions. Most libraries will be taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge this summer – offering activities, competitions and even virtual awards for children to win.

Budget for summer

At Christians Against Poverty (CAP) we see the challenge that parents face over providing for their families whilst keeping their finances afloat. Budgeting is a

great way to prepare for the summer holidays, and a simple online search can lead you to useful budgeting tools. If you or someone you know is financially struggling or in debt, please know there’s help and hope.

Call CAP on 0800 328 0006 or find out more about what we offer at capuk.org

CAP FENLAND NEEDS YOUR HELP

Donated craft items are needed for three stalls we have been offered on the following dates: July 15th; September 16th & 23rd, 2023. We are also planning to hold our own coffee and craft morning on October 14th and are looking for crafters to have a stall. No outlay cost, just an agreement to pay at least ten percent of your takings on the day.

If you would like more information or just want to give donations, please contact either:

Lin Stanton on 07787 204359 or linstanton@capuk.org

Lynette Stanton on 07519 486114 or lynettestanton@ capuk.org

WINES For all seasons

With so many different wines available – types, styles, dry, medium, sweet, sparkling and more – it can be quite an experience to find something which satisfies on its own and is very capable of accompanying many dishes, admirably.

If it is springtime, should we go for something light and, when heading towards winter, is it correct to experience the heavyweight reds? The answer, which I prefer to use, is simply, ‘if you like it, drink it!’ Certainly, if it is spring/summer (and the weather permits) I do favour a ‘pink’ and/or a sparkling production, especially if an outdoor setting comes about. That, however, is not to say these wines should not be enjoyed year-round –each to their own!

Finca Las Moras Pinot Grigio (12.5% vol) from Argentina, I found to suit my idea of a good, white wine. This light to medium-bodied production is a most pleasant yellow colour and entices, from the bouquet, through the mouthfeel and on to the palate’s sensation. Crisp and refreshing, I found this wine to be excellent when enjoyed on its own and/or when pairing with numerous foods, such as white meats and Asian-inspired dishes. If a sparkling wine is required, perhaps for a celebration or special event, then Eight Acres Sparkling Rosé

(11.5% vol) from Balfour Hush Heath, Kent, England, will not disappoint. ‘Splendidly pleasing’ (if I may use that phrase) this wine is extremely popular for occasions and also as a predining delectation. This wine also accompanies fish dishes very well. A lot of wine connoisseurs enjoy a bold, powerful red wine and Valle Del Bio Bio Malbec (14% vol) is a favourite with many. This smooth production, from Chile, is produced by renowned Winemaker, Diego Covarrubias and has an abundance of ripe, dark red fruit flavours, for the mouth’s pleasures. This extends to the palate’s delight, wonderfully, and is great with red meats and steaks, as well as on its own. I located these wines at a Co-op store. Please, take time and pleasure to find your preferences. I found their ‘Irresistible’ range very worthwhile seeking out. Co-op also supports Fairtrade. www.coop.co.uk www.infofairtrade.net

By Trevor Langley

Asenjoy!always,

JULY MOVIE JEWELS

This month we will be bringing some big names to our screens! To kick of July to a great start, we have NTL: Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty on July 2nd. Face your demons on July 7th, with Insidious: The Red Door. Are you a Tom Cruise fan? From July 11th we will be screening Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. Oh, what a beautiful day July 19th will be for a musical. Oklahoma! starring Hugh Jackman. You’re in for a treat on the 21st as we have the much-anticipated Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Following on from our Christopher Nolan season we have Nolan’s newest film based on a true story of J Robert Oppenheimer hitting our screens!

Love Thursdays

In addition to our usual range of hotdogs, nachos, and popcorn combos, we offer fresh Italian stone-baked margherita or pepperoni pizza –perfect to enjoy with your film. Check out our Love Thursday offer and treat yourself to an adult ticket and delicious 9 inch pizza for only £15 (T&Cs apply).

MyLight Premiere Love movies? Welcome to PREMIERE, The Light's scheme for frequent cinema-goers. For just £15.99 per month, you can cram your days full of movies as well as treating yourself to ten percent

off all your favourite cinema snacks all day, every day! It is easy to sign up to by visiting our website and click join! (T&Cs apply).

At The Light, we are committed to offering a great cinema experience to everyone, some of you may not know but we offer a variety of accessible screenings. We have introduced Toddler Time every Sunday and Wednesday with shows available to book all the way up until December! We also do dementia screenings once a month that are available to pre-book as far as January 2024. Although these screenings are particularly designed for people living with dementia, they are open to the public too. Iceland Foods kindly provides the refreshments for our dementia-friendly screenings. We also run regular subtitled screenings every Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Showing a range of different films, as not being able to hear the dialogue doesn't mean you can't enjoy a great movie.

More information can be found on our website www.wisbech.thelight.co.uk

Barbie Oppenheimer

NTL: Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty

Mission: Impossible –Dead Reckoning Part One

footballandamazonprime livehere

SATURDAY 1st JULY

ALL GLAMMED UP

7.30pm | £8 Members, £10 Guests

SATURDAY 15th JULY

THE DIAMOND MOTOWN SHOW

8pm | Tickets £5

LINE DANCING

Every Tuesday 7-8pm

MONDAY 10th JULY

CHARITY BINGO

Eyes down at 7.30pm

SATURDAY 21st JULY

ABBA: KISS

THE TEACHER

7.30pm | £10 Members, £12 Guests

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

What’s Coming Up

EVERY WEDNESDAY: LUNCHES

Served from 12 noon to 2pm

EVERY THURSDAY: PUB QUIZ NIGHT

7.30pm start, FREE entry, all welcome

SUNDAY 9th JULY OUTSIDE MUSIC WITH SIMON ROSE & JENNA

Bring a picnic and enjoy the music in the sun!

Members £10, non-members £12

SATURDAY 15th JULY

CLUB MUSIC NIGHT WITH TONY G

Members £5, non-members £6

SUNDAY CARVERY 16th JULY

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

FRIDAY 28th JULY

THE JERSEY WAY

The music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons

Members £10, non-members £12

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...

Pool, Snooker, Dominoes and Crib are all played at the club? We also have a six-rink bowls green, FREE jukebox, plus lots of events for members.

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

THE ROOKSWOOD CLUB

July Dates

plenty of outside seating in a south facing garden to enjoy

Sun 2nd july Summer Folk Festival with BBQ

Sat 8th july march cruising club

10th anniversary celebrations: bbq & music in the river garden 12.30-4.30pm

function rooms available to hire for parties, weddings, anniversaries, christenings and wakes

fri 14th july play your cards right night

more information available at the bar

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

THE SEVEN STARS

here comes the sun! Enjoy the longer summer evenings and drink and dine al fresco in our garden

WIDE RANGE OF BEERS & SPIRITS GREAT 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

In 1960 the old, closed Regent Cinema in Robingoodfellows Lane near the Fountain end of Broad Street was purchased by two March businessmen, Fred Manchett and Ken Wallis.

They formed a company, Marcam Hall & Cellar Club Limited. The old cinema auditorium was levelled and a stage erected to make it available for dancing, roller skating, bingo and private hire. The basement was converted into The Cellar Club with a large bar and stage for live entertainment by professional entertainers and bands such as Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen and opened in August 1961. In about 1962, a Georgian house in March High Street was purchased by March businessman Peter Skoulding and his entertainment investor Alan Wells. They formed a limited company, March Cabaret & Casino Club Ltd. They converted the premises into an ‘upmarket’ entertainment venue. The ground floor had bars and a stage for professional wellknown entertainers and bands. The upper floor was a members’ only licensed gaming casino for card games and featured a roulette wheel and gaming machines. This was only one of two licensed gaming venues in East Anglia at that time (the other was in Norwich).

The top floor was flats for the on-site manager and for any

entertainers who wished to stay overnight. The premises opened in 1963 and attracted clients from a wide area.

Other clubs operating through the 1960s were the March British Legion Club in West End, United Services Club in Deerfield Road, the GER Railway Club in Robingoodfellows Lane and Braza Club in Elm Road. All these had live entertainment and the two railway clubs also had adjoining sporting grounds. The peak period for most of these venues was the 1960s and 1970s. Marcam Hall & Cellar Club was sold in the mid-1970s, but continued under new ownership as Cromwell’s until January 1st, 1978, when it was entirely destroyed by a New Year’s Eve fire. March Cabaret & Casino Club was closed in the 1970s.* March British Legion Club ceased trading more recently and is now run as The Rookswood Club. The other clubs continue to operate as before.

Cinemas in March were The Hippodrome in Dartford Road which opened in 1929 and had nine hundred seats. It was sold and became a bingo hall and in 2009 was purchased by J D Wetherspoon to become a bar/restaurant. The Regent Cinema was originally The Regent Theatre which closed in 1960 when it became the aforementioned Marcam Hall & Cellar Club.

*Footnote: The March Cabaret Club premises later operated as a nightclub under various names including The Grenadiers, Toby’s, Mr Bouchier’s, Slacks and Minstrelz – Ed.

Discovering March reader Derek Dack shares his personal memories of the ‘wonderful period’ of March nightlife in the 1960s & 1970s...

MY magical memories of march

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LOCAL CLUBS & 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 is 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 Peter’s 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 Thursday 8-9pm 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.

www.wisbechtennisclub.org.uk

07549 263767

wtcmembership@hotmail.co.uk

ALL AGES AND LEVELS WELCOME

Has your teddy lost their mojo?

Has your teddy lost their mojo?

If they are less than 40 years old and in need of:

• A general clean-up

• Replacement eyes/nose/stuffing

• Limbs, ears or pad repair

• A new overcoat

Why not see if March Bearspot can bring their smile back?

CALL 01354 651821 FOR DETAILS