Discovering March issue 124, January 2024

Issue 124 / January 2024

and the surrounding villages

Happy New Year

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JANUARY 2024

Welcome to your January issue...

A

t the time of writing, we’re still very much wrapped up in 2023 and the final throes of the year, with its Christmas parties, Santa being chauffeured around our streets, the carols, and all the end-of-term concerts, all of which make it such a fabulous time of the year.

The American columnist and author, William E. Vaughan declared, “An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.”

Which one applies to you I wonder, as 2024 looms into view?

Happy New Year Inside Highlights

All the very best to you all for the year ahead and may it bring 4 ................. Gardening Tips For January peace, good health, and happiness. At this time, the special 6 ................. Vine LawGoddens thoughts of all our family go out to our dear New Relocated Spruce LA Beauty & mother who passed away a year ago.

7 ...............

Goddens New Showroom Opens Showroom Home Holistic Therapies Where did 2023 go?

Claire x

at Your Service 14 ............. Diamond ByteJan 8th Opens

with Da

After the excitement and frenetic activities of Y o u r f a v o16 u r............... i t e c oSafe m mLocal u n i t yTrades lifestyle magazine – PR December, January comes as a sharp reality check.

18 .............. 2024: Change Your Money Mindset January can be seen as a poor relation. The 26-27 ... Community Matters festive season has passed, New Year’s Eve come 30 ............. Recipe: Sweet Potato Soup and gone, and now the landscape ahead looks pretty bleak as we contemplate twelve months of 31 ............... Slimming World Success Story a new year.

34 ............. Drinking With Trevor Langley The new year makes most people think about changes they would like to make to improve their lives, for example, getting a new job or 39 ............. Sunflower Hypnotherapy moving to a new home. However, often these good intentions slip 40 ............. LA Beauty and Holistic Therapies away into the ether as routine commitments take over.

45 ............. The Gables Care Home, Chatteris The highlight of last year for me was the arrival of my first grandchild, a beautiful girl, who in just a few short weeks has already won the 48 ............. New Year’s Resolutions hearts of everyone who has met her.

50 ........... Wild About March Thinking ahead, I’m looking forward to hopefully continuing to bring 51 ............. Win Two Tickets For Blokart Session you a magazine that you enjoy reading each month while at the same time trying to enjoy more social time.

54 ............. History With March Museum I’ve already got a ‘Jolly Boys’ outing to Poland planned for the 58 ............. The Quiz Inquisition end of the month, but looking out of my window at the current inhospitable weather, I’m now wishing it was to 60-61 ..... Business Directory somewhere warmer like Portugal...

Andy

Discovering Magazines, PO Box 164, Bourne PE10 1ET Publisher and Sales Claire Saberton: 01778 421427 | 07837 499061 | sales@discoveringmagazines.co.uk Sales Paula Kirtland: 07903 776211 | marketing.discoveringmagazines@gmail.com Sales Sallyanne Davis: 07737 026594 | sal@discoveringmagazines.co.uk Editor Andy Hurst: editor.march@discoveringmagazines.co.uk Ops Director Andy Armstrong: 07780 922214 Accounts Sarah Brooks: 07564 966452 | accounts@discoveringmagazines.co.uk Design Sarah Gumbley | Andy Beavis | Graham Copestake

With thanks to Vine Law, Diamond Byte, Eileen Le Voi, Lin Stanton, Trevor Langley, Joan Munns and Peter Wright.

Deadline details Copy deadline for the February issue is Friday, 12th January 2024.

Discovering March is published by a local team and is not associated with any other business. Care is taken to ensure that the content and information is correct at the time of going to press; however, we cannot take any responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by any errors. Permission must be granted to reproduce, copy or scan anything from this publication. For a copy of our contributors’ guidelines please email info@discoveringmagazines.co.uk.

J ANUA RY 2024

D I S C O V E R I N G March

3

Your Garden

J

anuary is a really good time for planning, so how about planning a three- or five-year crop rotation?

The three-year crop rotation involves the following: Year 1: Peas, beans, and fruiting vegetables: peas and beans absorb nitrogen from the air and store it in the roots; leaving the roots in after harvesting benefits next year’s crop.

Year 2: Brassicas: these are nitrogen-hungry, so grow them where last year’s peas and beans grew. They are also susceptible to club root (a soil-borne fungus) so moving them around helps keep this at bay.

Year 3: Roots, tubers, onions, and leaves: these crops do not have a particular “thirst” for nitrogen, so it is good to grow them after brassicas where the nitrogen content has been depleted.

And if you have a very large plot, why not try a five-year rotation?

Year 1 Brassicas; Year 2 Peas and beans; Year 3 Potatoes and fruiting veg; Year 4 The onion family; Year 5 Root and stem vegetables.

The benefits of using this system include: • Soil fertility: Different crops have different nutrient requirements. Changing crops annually reduces the chance of soil deficiencies developing.

• Weed control: Some crops, like potatoes and squashes, with dense foliage or large leaves, suppress weeds, thus reducing maintenance and weed problems in following crops.

• Pest and disease control: Soil pests and diseases tend to attack specific plant families repeatedly. By rotating crops between sites, the pests tend to decline in

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D I S C O V E R I N G March

the period when their host plants are absent which helps reduce build-up of damaging populations of spores, eggs, and pests.

Weather permitting, there are a few jobs that can be tackled this month: • Spray all fruit trees and bushes with a garlic winter wash on a fine day; do not spray in frosty conditions. It won’t hurt to hold the job over to next month.

• Another job at the top of the list is cleaning up the plot by disposing of all the damaged and rotten crops: most of the overwintering vegetables will suffer if the conditions are wet. Also remove any leaves, as these are a perfect hide-out for slugs and snails.

• Protect overwintering plants from cold, and check stakes and ties.

• On days when you can’t work on the plot, clean the shed, greenhouse, tools, and linseed oil any wooden handles. Check that the watering can and buckets don’t leak and that the wheelbarrow doesn’t have a flat tyre! Seed trays and plant pots can be cleaned with a mild bleach solution to kill diseases that may have carried over to the new seedlings.

• In non-freezing weather, shallots can be planted. Shallots take longer to grow than onions, but if planted now, should be ready earlier in the summer.

• Any stored fruit and vegetables need checking for rotten or damaged produce and evidence of mice.

Happy New Year and here’s to another twelve months of successful gardening!

JANUARY 2024

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N

YEAR IN REVIEW 2023

ow that 2023 has come to a close it’s time to reflect on what’s been another really busy and successful year for us.

We would like to start by thanking our clients for their support during our first few years. We would also like to thank our professional colleagues who have supported us with advice and assistance.

The most exciting thing is that we’ve turned three!

The last three years have zipped by in a flash, and we thought now would be a great time to review the shared values we thought were important for our law firm in those very early days. We started with the premise that lawyers shouldn’t always just be about the billable hour. These are the things we thought and still believe are important:

CLIENT CARE

Our core focus is on our clients and providing a genuinely personal service. We listen, ask questions, and don’t presume to know what our clients want.

We aim to make the client experience with us as effortless as possible. We work in the way that best suits our clients, whether that be meeting face-toface at our offices, their businesses, or homes, or online via video calls where time pressures make that the most productive way to meet.

INNOVATION

We see it as part of our job to be creative, to add value for our clients and, to deliver more in a better way. It’s an ongoing process and has to be for the fast-changing world we live in. We don’t believe

that, because something has always been done in a particular way that there might not be a better, more efficient way to work.

COMMUNITY

We believe in local community involvement and supporting local businesses and charities because, without local community we would all struggle. We believe as business owners we have a responsibility to support and give back wherever we can. We have supported local charities with donations (and have again made a donation to the Ferry Project instead of sending Christmas cards).

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

We run an (almost!) paperless office and are committed to reducing our environmental impact wherever we can. This is something that we feel will become more important over the coming years and we are pleased to have set up our offices to work in this way from day one.

We have been pleased to have been able to open our new office in Ely which has enabled us to deliver our client-focused, innovative way of working to more clients, face-to-face.

Our aims for the next three years and beyond are to continue delivering a first-class service to our clients, whilst retaining a work life balance for our staff and supporting local charities and organisations.

If you would like to chat to us about any of the services we offer and how we can help you, your family, or your business we’d be delighted to talk to you. You can call us on (01945) 898090 or email hello@vinelaw.co.uk

• Wills, Probate and Lasting Powers Of Attorney • Property • Employment Law and HR Services • Civil Litigation – dispute avoidance and resolution • Legal assistance for start-ups and SMEs

South Brink, Wisbech, Cambs PE13 1JA

(01945) 898090 | hello@vinelaw.co.uk | www.vinelaw.co.uk 6

D I S C O V E R I N G March

JANUARY 2024

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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”.

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D I S C O V E R I N G March

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13

The Technology Site Technology

PHILIP AT DIAMOND BYTE

W

HAPPY IN 2024

hile it’s the beginning of the year, many of us will be thinking about the positive changes we need to make to our lives, such as losing weight, drinking less alcohol, stopping smoking etc. But what about keeping your relationship with your PC happy and healthy?

make sure you have informed your email provider if you have changed your mobile phone number (make sure they have your mobile number NOT a landline) or alternative email address as these are used if your account is hacked, or you have forgotten your password.

Strengthen your digital security First on the list is to take the time now to start changing your passwords FOR EVERYTHING, making sure you have a different one for every account. Use a mixture of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols to create unique passwords.

Two factor authentication adds an extra layer of security.

This is usually a combination of something you know and something you have. The thing you know is often a pin number.

The thing you have might be a unique token generated each time you log in. This is used in addition to your username and password. Most importantly,

Make back-ups of your photos, videos, and music If your device gets lost, damaged, or stolen, you run the risk of never being able to retrieve the irreplaceable documents stored on it. To save music, photos and documents, discs, memory sticks and removeable hard drives will suffice. However, it is worth using some sort of cloud storage. Do remember though that if you want to make your back-ups one hundred percent fail-safe, it is important to have both physical and online copies saved.

Get rid of desktop clutter Keeping screenshots, images and

shortcuts to files on your desktop can make finding things almost impossible. To get the initial abundance of apps out the way, create a folder on your desktop named ‘Old Desktop’ and transfer all your clutter into it. Your desktop will immediately look cleaner and more manageable.

From there, you can go through the folder in your own time and put all the files in their rightful place, perhaps even sort out other folders whilst you are at it.

Upgrade your PC If your PC still runs on coal, or even worse, Windows XP, Vista, 7 or 8 (which died on January 10th, 2023), now is the time to upgrade to Windows 11. As we’ve mentioned time and time again, continuing to use Windows 8 or older on the public internet is very much like going out in public with a virus and coughing on people. And sadly, we all know where that can lead, and don’t forget Windows 10 will breathe its last on October 14th, 2025.

FOR THIS AND ALL MY OTHER BLOGS GO TO WWW.DIAMONDBYTE.CO.UK

@discoveringwisbechmagazine 14

D I S C O V E R I N G March

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D I S C O V E R I N G March

Time to Plan Your 2024 Home Improvements

By Eileen Le Voi at Safe Local Trades In the wake of the pandemic, UK house prices had been on a steep upward trajectory. But in recent months, they have steadily dropped in response to inflation and interest rate increases, causing potential homebuyers to pause their plans to wait for a more stable market.

With more people choosing to stay put in their homes and make the most of their surroundings while the economic downturn continues, making improvements to a home can add value if done professionally, but some homeowners do not know who to trust, and put the work off as a result.

However, even in these unusual times, planning your home improvements is key to avoiding disappointment. While Safe Local Trades has members across many disciplines; painting and decorating, plastering, electrician, kitchen/bathroom fitting, carpentry, handyman, carpet/upholstery cleaners, window/conservatory fitting etc, many are already reporting bookings up until March 2024.

It is certainly the case with many tried and tested traders that they will be busy, so don’t delay in getting in touch to secure a slot. Some projects, like a new kitchen for example, may be subject to a longer lead-in time; there is the quote to agree, designs to finalise, products to order and then securing the availability of a great kitchen fitter.

Equally, if you are looking to sell your home in 2024, then time is of the essence if you require some property pick-me-ups and stay ahead of the game.

Interestingly, according to research, alongside consistent favourites like new kitchens, new bathrooms and extensions, solar panels and extra insulation are now among the top twenty home improvements that homebuyers are looking for.

So, get planning now – our local tried and tested, vetted tradespeople are just a click away at www.safelocaltrades.com JANUARY 2024

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Change your mindset on money this New Year

By Lin Stanton, Debt Centre Manager for Fenland Christians Against Poverty (CAP)

Money can significantly affect the way we feel, especially when there isn’t enough of it.

It can make us feel stressed, defeated, anxious and fearful, amongst many other emotions.

Understanding the power that money has over our mood is the first step to reclaiming control. Read on for five ways to change your mindset on money, so that you can enjoy a more positive 2024.

Build a budget We all have so many things to pay for in our everyday lives.

With a mix of bills, food, treats, subscriptions and unexpected costs, managing money can feel overwhelming at times. Building a budget can help you see your financial situation more clearly, meaning you’ll be able to make decisions about where to cut costs and feel more in control.

There are lots of free budgeting resources and tips available online, including at capuk. org/money-and-debt-advice/ building-a-budget

Talk to others Struggling with money can be an extremely isolating experience.

This can become a vicious circle, as we’re less likely to seek help and support when we feel alone. By sharing our worries and experiences with another 18

person, we start to take back control and lessen the burden that we’ve been carrying alone.

You might also find that others are facing similar challenges, meaning you can both share your experiences and tools for managing the situation. If you’d rather speak to someone impartial, you might find it useful to contact an organisation such as Samaritans (call 116123) or SHOUT (text 85258).

Set goals Having a goal to work towards can make us feel more positive.

Even a small amount of progress bit-by-bit gives us something to celebrate and feel proud of.

Choose an aim that’s realistic, such as saving up to go out for a meal or buying a new pair of shoes and remember to set a new goal once you’ve smashed it!

D I S C O V E R I N G March

Have fun for free There are tons of free and cheap activities and days out available in communities across the UK. Find out what events are going on at your local church, and keep an eye on capuk.org/blog where you can find useful tips and tricks throughout the year.

Get support Everyone needs help at times.

It’s nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about. If you’re struggling with your finances, support is available for free from a range of charities and organisations including Christians Against Poverty (CAP). CAP provides expert debt advice, guidance on finding work and money education, all delivered face-to-face so you’ll receive an effective combination of practical and emotional support.

To find out more, see capuk.org/help 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 education and more.

Visit capuk.org to find out more.

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D I S C O V E R I N G March

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D I S C O V E R I N G March

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ce n a ur KED s r In BAC a e

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EE T AN R A

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Conservatory blinds • INTU blinds (no screws used) • Black-out blinds Vertical / Roller / Pleated / Roman blinds • Venetian blinds, Wood and Aluminium Fly screens • Motorisation and child safety devices available on all blinds Fly screens • Awnings and Canopies • Made to measure and Handmade Curtains • DOMESTIC and COMMERCIAL Come & visit our showroom at 15 Market Place, Whittlesey, PE7 1AB Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10.00am to 4.00pm and Saturday 10.00am to 1.00pm

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Visit us at www.blindsinharmony.co.uk J ANUA RY 2024

D I S C O V E R I N G March

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COMMUNITY

MATTERS

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

FUNDS TO SUPPORT IMPROVEMENTS Is there a vacant or derelict corner of your town or village that you could spruce up a little with a bit of grant funding?

Fenland District Council provides grants of up to £500 to help to improve the public view of derelict, vacant or forgotten patches of land, buildings or other sites.

Over the years, with the permission of site owners, ‘Changing Views’ grants have supported the costs of developing murals, banners and posters to cheer up the hoardings and windows of vacant buildings and enabled planting on patches of uninspiring land.

REVELLERS FLOCK TO SEASONAL MARKET The streets of March were packed with visitors to the town’s annual Christmas Market which featured more than 150 stalls, live music and funfair rides.

BUSINESS START-UP GRANTS ON OFFER

Projects the fund has supported in the past include the planting at Grays Lane, March, by March Street Pride/In Bloom.

For more information on Changing Views grants see: www.fenland.gov.uk/changingviews or contact Fenland District Council's Street Pride co-ordinator on (01354) 654321 or email streetpride@fenland.gov.uk Photo: Changing Views grant supported project: Planting in Grays Lane, March

Business owners and people with a plan for a new start-up in Fenland can apply for a slice of a grant pot totalling £400,000.

Two new Fenland grant schemes are now open for bids, with a total of £150,000 earmarked to support start-up businesses in the district and £250k to help established businesses of all sizes thrive and ultimately sustain and create jobs.

The grants are being delivered by Fenland District Council's economic growth team Fenland for Business. They're funded by the UK Government's Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) Shared Prosperity Fund thanks to a successful bid by Fenland District Council in partnership with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA).

The window to complete expressions of interest closes on Tuesday, February 29th. Full details of both grants are available via Fenland District Council’s economic growth arm Fenland for Business at: www.fenlandforbusiness.co.uk/ article/16659/Grow-Grants-and-Finance 26

D I S C O V E R I N G March

JANUARY 2024

CALL TO CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR DOG Dog owners are being warned not to use the cover of dark nights as an excuse not to pick up after their pets – and the public are urged to report offenders.

Fenland District Council’s Street Scene team has noted a rise in dog fouling at this time of year.

Cllr Peter Murphy, portfolio holder for Street Scene, said: “We know most dog owners are responsible and respectful that they share our public spaces with others who don’t want to encounter nuisance from their pets.

LET THEM KNOW IT IF YOU’RE A POET...

The hunt is on for Fenland’s next Poet Laureates, as the district’s prestigious, annual poetry competition opens for entries.

The Fenland Poet Laureate Award and the Young Fenland Poet Laureate Award have returned for the sixth year – and writers from across the district are being invited to take part.

Award-winning poet and chair of Fenland District Council’s Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee Elisabeth Sennitt Clough (pictured) is once again organising the awards, in partnership with Fenland District Council.

She said: “We are delighted to be launching our annual poetry competition and are looking forward to receiving lots of entries. The competition celebrates talented writers living, working, or attending school in Fenland and comes with lots of incentives to take part. Our new Poet Laureates can expect an incredible year.”

“Unfortunately, there are a few who don’t act responsibly especially when on darker nights they think no one is looking and they can get away with not picking up after their pet.

“Our officers are out and about supporting the community to not have to encounter the effects of irresponsible dog ownership. While we can’t be everywhere all the time, we would encourage the public to be our eyes and ears and to alert us to problems so we can act.”

Fines of £100 to people can be given to people who don’t pick up after their dogs and can also be issued for allowing a dog in fenced off play areas or refusing to put a dog on a lead when asked due to it being a nuisance.

If you spot dog fouling, or somebody not cleaning up after their dog, report it to Fenland District Council at: www.fenland.gov.uk/dogfouling or (01354) 654321.

The competition is open to anyone who lives, works or attends school in the administrative district of Fenland, and is free to enter. Applicants must be aged 18 and over for the Fenland Poet Laureate Award, and aged 17 and under for the Young Fenland Poet Laureate Award.

Poetry submissions may be written in any poetic form, from free verse to sestina, be a maximum of forty lines and previously unpublished. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, January 31st, 2024, and winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony at March Town Hall in March 2024.

For more information and full entry details, visit: www.fenland.gov.uk/FenlandPoetLaureate or email: poetaward@fenland.gov.uk J ANUA RY 2024

D I S C O V E R I N G March

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Recipe

Sweet Potato SOUP

A big bowl of warm, winter comfort; this hearty soup can also be frozen for future meals.

Method Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, roughly chopped 2 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped 4cm fresh root ginger, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed ½ tsp dried red chilli flakes 700g sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 pints vegetable stock Salt and freshly ground black pepper

30

D I S C O V E R I N G March

1 Heat the oil in a large, lidded saucepan over a medium-high heat. Add the onion and carrots and cook until softened. Stir in the ginger, garlic and chilli flakes and fry for 2 to 3 minutes, or until fragrant.

2 Stir in the sweet potatoes and stock. Turn up the heat and bring the pan to the boil.

Reduce the heat to low and simmer with the lid on for 15 minutes, or until the sweet potato is tender.

3 Remove the pan from the heat and blend the soup, using a stick blender, until smooth.

Alternatively, tip it into a food processor and blend. Season to taste and serve.

For garnishes, try drizzling a little coconut milk or cream into each bowl, or sprinkle over some freshly chopped coriander, or fry up a pinch of cumin seeds and chilli flakes in a little oil and swirl into the soup.

JANUARY 2024

Jenna’s Amazing Journey Since Joining

JAMIE’S MARCH SLIMMING WORLD GROUP

J

A neighbour’s harsh comment led Jenna Morton to sign up to Slimming World; since when she has lost an incredible 7st 6lb.

enna, who was 17st 11lb when she joined, said: “I had been feeling pretty low about my appearance and that started to impact my selfesteem. I was in the motion of just getting on with things but then a neighbour had made a comment in a harsh way about my appearance which gave me the knock I needed to get through the door as this gave me anxiety of ‘If she thinks of me this way, does everyone else?’”

She enjoys the Food Optimising part of her plan, saying: “The blending combinations are endless and I never, truly never, have to say no to the foods I love as it’s all in moderation. My favourite go-to is Spaghetti Bolognese and as a parent to six and having my

grandchildren round regularly it is a big hit within the home.”

Jenna admits to not being a very sociable person but has formed bonds and relationships within her Slimming World group which have been very supportive.

Her weight loss has now stopped her from regularly suffering pulled muscles and has helped her when playing with her family’s children. She has also been able to take part in charity walks and a 10k Race For Life Jenna summed up: “I am extremely proud of myself because I have had a really strong sense of self-worth and perseverance and I never gave up on myself. Slimming World gives you the tools to be the better you.”

ly slimmingg- frboielnd spa Contact your local Slimming World Consultant and join a friendly and super-supportive group today!

WEDNESDAYS

9am, 10.30am, 5.30pm & 7pm at 2nd March Scout Hut, Mill View (Nr Sainsbury’s), March, Cambs PE15 8SY Contact Jamie on 07415 175655

slimmingworld.co.uk J ANUA RY 2024

D I S C O V E R I N G March

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D I S C O V E R I N G March

JANUARY 2024

Mon-Thurs 5.30pm-10pm

Opening Hours: Fri and Sat 5pm-10.30pm

Sun 12pm-3pm & 5pm-10pm

56 High Street, March, Cambs PE15 9LD

e: thespicebank@gmail.com

£5

* Receive £5 off your order when you

J ANUA RY 2024

OFF

dine-in or takeaway with us during January and February 2024. Simply cut out and present this voucher.

is required D I S*Minimum C O Vspend E R ofI £30 N G March Offer expires 29/02/2024

33

Food & Drink

! e m i T g n i l k r a p AS

S

parkling wines are a very popular choice for many people and make an occasion into an event and an event into a celebration. The popularity of sparkling wines increases year on year, and they offer excellent value.

Numerous countries, globally, have winemakers producing sparkling wines. These types of wines are widely available, and I searched for a retailer that offers a good selection of ‘sparklers’, as well as still productions.

English wine is increasing greatly, both in appreciation and in recognition, gaining numerous awards, both in the UK and abroad. Morrisons: The Best English Sparkling Brut Vintage (11.5% vol), I found to be very impressive.

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes are utilised, to great advantage, culminating in a grand, finished product.

This brut sparkling wine is stored for several years in cool cellars before being released. The fine bubbles receive much admiration from sparkling wine lovers. A very good floral and citrusy bouquet continues to the mouthfeel and sensation for the palate.

From France, I located Morrisons: The Best Crémant de Limoux (12.5% vol). This brut sparkling wine is made in partnership with Sieur d’Arques, a French winemaking co-operative. Dominant with Chardonnay grapes,

34

and aged for a minimum of twelve months in the bottle, this ‘sparkler’ is another extremely popular production, indeed, with a good ‘stream’ of bubbles, adored by many. A very good aroma of apple hints extends to the fruity, citrusy pleasures, on the mouth.

Italy is another country with an impressive history for producing sparkling wines. Morrisons: The Best Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG (11% vol) has a great number of devotees too.

This production graces dining tables regularly and is very much appreciated and respected, having a good perlage to please the eye, then a most acceptable bouquet and mouthfeel of apple sensations, plus white fruits.

By Trevor Langle

y

by their wine experts. They are perfect by themselves and also to accompany a lot of dishes, including fish, seafood and white meats.

Dating from 1899, Morrisons have become a leading supermarket, providing a wealth of products, from everyday household essentials, through specific requirements, to an excellent range of wines, spirits, and other beverages. For all products and information, please visit www.morrisons.co.uk

As always, enjoy!

I located these sparkling wines at a Morrisons store in their “The Best” range, which was developed

D I S C O V E R I N G March

JANUARY 2024

CO n out L o M ew for o k IN M o u G EN r SO U O N!

THE SEVEN STARS OPEN TUES: 12–11PM WEDS–SAT: 9AM–11PM SUNDAYS: 9AM–8PM

happy new year!

Breakfast served 9a m-11. 30pm Wednesday through to Sunday

WIDE RANGE OF BEERS & SPIRITS GREAT SELECTION OF REAL ALES

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TUES: 12–2.30PM AND 5–8.30PM WEDS–SATURDAY: 9AM–2.30PM AND 5–8.30PM ON SUNDAYS: 9AM–3.30PM

75 THE AVENUE, MARCH PE15 9PS T: 01354 655258 THESEVENSTARSMARCH@GMAIL.COM • FIND US ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM

STEM in the Fens Coming to March Community Centre, 34 Station Road March, PE15 8LE from 13th January to 9th March Open to the public on Saturday and Sunday Come along for free and join in with our shows and activities

Open for school sessions from Mon - Weds Book your community group session from Thurs - Fri

Visit cambridgesciencecentre.org for more details or contact us on info@cambridgesciencecentre.org J ANUA RY 2024

D I S C O V E R I N G March

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VEGGIE/VEGAN

SWEET OPTIONS

Veggie Sausage.......... £1.50 Battered Double Decker. £1.50 Veggie Pancake Roll..£2.00 Batttered Snickers.............£1.50 Battered Mars...................... £1.50 Vegan Chicken & Mushroom Pie..............£3.50 Apple Pie................................£1.50 Deep Fried Oreos(3)....... £1.50 Vegan Minced Steak & Onion Pie....................... £3.50

PIES

EXTRAS 1/4 Chicken........... £4.20 Chicken Bites(6)...£4.00 Nuggets(6)............. £3.50 Spam....................... £2.40 Onion Rings(10)... £2.50 Pineapple Ring... £1.50 Bread Roll.............. £0.60 Pickled Gherkin.. £0.60 Pickled Onion...... £0.60 Pickled Egg.......... £0.60

Chicken & Mushroom.... £3.20 All Steak.............................. £3.20 Steak & Kidney................. £3.20 Beef & Onion..................... £3.20 Cheese, Leek & Potato.. £3.20

MEAL DEAL £6.50

KIDS MEAL £4.20

Chicken burger / 1/4 Beef Burger / Breaded Marinated Pork Steak / Small Chips & Can

Sausage / Fish Cake / 4 Nuggets / 4 Fish Fingers / Small Chips & Fruit Shoot

(BEEF BURGERS NOT HOME MADE ON DEAL)

MINI MEAL £6.50 Mini Cod, Chips & Peas/Curry

DRINKS Tea............................ £1.20 Coffee....................... £1.50 Hot Chocolate....... £1.50 Water....................... £1.00 Cans.......................... £1.20 Fruit Shoots........... £0.90 Big Bottled Drinks...................... £3.00 36

D I S C O V E R I N G March

CONDIMENTS Peas............................ £1.20 Curry.......................... £1.20 Beans......................... £1.50 Gravy.......................... £1.20 Heinz Sauces.......... £0.30 Bottled Vinegar..... £2.00 Bottled Ketchup.... £2.50 Bottle Mayo............. £2.50 JANUARY 2024

Open: Monday - Thurs - 4:00pm - 8:00pm Sat - Fri -11:30am - 2:30pm , 3:30pm - 8:30pm Delivery From - Mon - Thurs - 4:00pm - 7:45pm Fri - Sat - 11:30am - 8:00pm Phone : 07565815954 DELIVERY CHARGE : £2.50

www.riversidefishshop.co.uk

FISH S m a l l

R e g u l a r

L a r g e

Cod......................... £4.50........... £6.50................... £8.50........

Plaice........................................................................... £8.50........

Haddock.....................................................................£8.50........

Rock.............................................. £7.50......................................

Skate........................................................................... £9.50........

Scampi................. £4.00........... £5.50................... £6.60........

Fishcake....................................... £1.50.......................................

Cod Roe........................................ £1.40.......................................

Cod Cakes(4).............................. £3.50.......................................

Fish Fingers(6)...........................£3.50.......................................

Crab Claws(5).............................£4.00......................................

CHIPS S m a l l

R e g u l a r

L a r g e

Chips...................... £1.60............£2.70....................£3.50........ cheesy Chips....... £2.60........... £3.70....................£4.50........

Chip Butty.................................. £2.50.......................................

SAUSAGES/SAVELOYS S m a l l

R e g u l a r

L a r g e

Battered Jumbo........................... ............................... £2.50.......

Battered Sausage. £1.50 Saveloy............................................. £2.20........................................

(PLEASE SPECIFY IF YOU WANT SAUSAGES BATTERED OR PLAIN WHEN MAKING YOUR ORDER)

BURGERS 1/4 Home Made Beef Burger....................................... £5.50 1/2 Home Made Beef Burger......................................... £7.50 Chicken Burger.................................................................. £4.50 Sausage Pattie Burger.................................................... £2.80 Breaded Marinated Pork Steak In Bun.................... £4.00 Battered Burger................................................................. £2.50 Add Cheese.......................................................................... £0.40 D E C EM B ER 2023

D I S C O V E R I N G March

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YO

£5

O

FF

th UR is ad FIR ve S T rt A du P rin PO g IN Ja T nu M ar EN y T 20 24

ith w

47-49

NEW YEAR NEW START

Look after your Feet

We offer a full range of services to help your feet feel wonderful, to help you manage them and to reduce foot pain.

Call now to see how we can help you.

March Podiatry Practice Ltd 47-49 High Street, March PE15 9JJ

Tel: 01354 651200

www.marchpodiatry.co.uk  Follow us on Facebook

Wishing all our clients, old and new, a happy new year!

We look forward to seeing you soon...

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OPENING HOURS Monday 9am-7pm | Tuesday 9am-5pm | Wednesday 9am-7pm Thursday 9am-5pm D I S C O V E R I N G March| Friday 9am-5pm | Saturday 9am-1pmJ A N U A R Y 2 0 2 4

Sunflower Hypnotherapy Will Help You Blossom Solution focused hypnotherapy can help with more than you might think – from weight management to anxiety, stress, and sleep difficulties, confidence and much more.

Solution focused hypnotherapy is a talking therapy, combining psychotherapy with hypnosis.

It’s a kind and enjoyable therapy that focuses on finding the solution to current problems, without the need to look back at the root cause.

Suzanne Westbrook, of March-based Sunflower Hypnotherapy, offers a free initial consultation in a relaxed and friendly environment to talk about what you hope to achieve and how 9 Highhypnotherapy Street, March can PE15support 9JJ you. Suzanne works with adults to support them by taking small steps in a positive way to help reach their desired goals www.marchpodiatry.co.uk and offers sessions both in-person or online.

Hypnotherapy has the great advantage of using trance to enhance the therapeutic work. Trance is a very natural state to be in. Following guided relaxation, the conscious and the subconscious come together, supporting individuals to make positive changes in their lives.

Solution focused hypnotherapy is all about providing the tools to deal with life, both with any

current issues but also helping people to learn new ways of dealing with things for any of life’s hurdles.

Hypnotherapy works quite quickly, usually around eight-twelve sessions, and is very practical in its approach using the latest research to make this difference in a short period of time.

What past clients have said: “Having hypnotherapy has changed my life and outlook in life. I feel I am able to focus on the positives and change my mind frame when I think negatively.”

“I more than achieved my goal. I got so much more from hypnotherapy than I was expecting to.

I now have the coping methods to deal with my stress and I am able to focus on myself more. The sessions were very calm and relaxing and Suzanne was very professional.”

If you would like to find out more about how Suzanne can support you, email info@sunflowerhypnotherapy.co.uk or call 07935 466590 to book a free initial consultation.

Suzanne Westbrook DSFH

Solution Focused Clinical Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist • Member of the AfSFH Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapists • Fully insured and holding an Enhanced DBS check • Based in March, I work with adults either online or in-person, supporting them to be the very best version of themselves.

• Sunflower Hypnotherapy can help with anxiety, stress, depression, weight management, pain management, confidence, OCD, anger, phobias, IBS and much more.

Call 07935 466590 or email info@sunflowerhypnotherapy.co.uk for a free initial consultation and find out how Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help you. Sunflower Hypnotherapy

J ANUA RY 2024

D I S C O V E R I N G March

39

GIFT VOUCH E AVAILA RS BLE

IL ALL NA SED CTS U PRODU AN & G ARE VE FREE YT L E U CR

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HOPI EAR CANDLING MANICURES & PEDICURES Using only Purenails Halo Gel Polish & Halo Easibuild Builder Gel

BODY WAXING & TINTING SERVICES Eyelashes and eyebrows; Intimate waxing is for females only

EYELASH LIFT & TINT Patch test required

CRAZY ANGEL EXPRESS SPRAY TAN FOR AN APPOINTMENT CONTACT LAURA MADDALO 07540 298781 laura@labeautytherapies.co.uk LA Beauty & Holistic Therapies _labeautyandholistictherapies_

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D I S C O V E R I N G March

JANUARY 2024

Helping you to find balance Toni Wilkes Acupuncture

BSc (Hons), LicAc, MBAcC

• Aches and pains

• Strengthens the immune system

• Infertility

• And numerous other conditions

• Allergies

• Balances the emotions

For more information or to book an appointment contact: Mobile: 07780 608343 In the interest of safety for my clients - I have taken the decision to work from home in my purpose built treatment room - please call me to arrange an appointment to suit you.

Toni Wilks Acupuncture 1/2 page - March 22.indd 1

15/02/2022 21:48

Professional Foot Health Practitioner Peter Stanley MAFHP, MCFHP • Nail trimming/reduction • Verrucae • Callus/corn removal • Ingrown toenails • Fungal nail/athlete’s foot • Cracked heels • Thickened nails • Diabetes foot care • Neurovascular assessment

HOME VISITS ONLY

Call Peter on 07842 553554 Email footprinceuk@gmail.com J ANUA RY 2024

D I S C O V E R I N G March

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Independent Family Funeral Director

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43

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Peterborough Showroom Unit 15, Peterborough One Retail Park, Eye Road, Peterborough, PE1 4YZ peterborough@myw.co.uk

01733 511104 myw.co.uk

*While stocks last. Offers ends 31.01.24. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Managers decision final. More offers instore. Exclusions apply.

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D I S C O V E R I N G March

JANUARY 2024

Award-Winning Care Home in THE HEART OF CHATTERIS

I

n the centre of Chatteris is The Gables care home, which is the highest ranked care home in Cambridgeshire, based on reviews submitted to the well-respected carehome.co.uk review website. As a result, for the sixth year in succession, the home has maintained its place as one of the Top 20 rated care homes in the East of England.

The Gables provides high-quality, short-term respite or longer-term care and support for up to fortynine residents from its location on East Park Street.

Inside the two-storey home are spacious bedrooms and welcoming communal areas including large lounges, a dining room and relaxing quiet spaces.

There is a beauty salon where residents enjoy regular hairdressing and nail appointments.

Healthy, nutritious meals are provided, with all dietary needs catered for. The experienced and well-respected activities and wellbeing team provide a variety of different activities for residents, both on a personal one-to-one basis or in groups. There are regular events and trips to local attractions helping people to maintain their connection to their local area.

Outside the home is a large, enclosed garden, which is well-maintained and loved by the residents. The home is proud to have won the Best Care Home Award in the Anglia in Bloom 2023 competition.

Experienced Care Home Manager, Julie Tyler explained the ethos of the home: “Our aim at The Gables is to focus everything on our residents’ needs and wishes. We have an experienced and loving team who provide high quality care.”

In its latest inspection by the Care Quality Commission, The Gables was rated ‘good’ in all areas of the report. The home is part of Black Swan Care Group, one of East Anglia’s leading care groups, who provide care and support to more than six hundred people in twenty-two residential care homes in East Anglia, employing nearly nine hundred staff who are all paid above the Real Living Wage.

Rooms at The Gables start from £1000 per week depending on the room and type of care.

To find out more about The Gables, call 01354 693858 or visit: https://www.blackswan.co.uk/ our-homes/the-gables

Award-winning care at The Gables care home in Chatteris We provide short-term, respite care or longer-term support at our home in Chatteris.

Rooms at The Gables are decorated to an exceptionally high standard and most feature ensuite facilities. There are large, communal living and dining areas and access to our beautiful, well-kept garden where we host events with families and our local community.

We provide high quality care including fresh, nutritious meals and a wide variety of activities are available. Prices start from £1,000 per week, depending on the room and level of care required.

Our home is rated as good with the Care Quality Commission and is one of the Top 20 care homes in East Anglia based on reviews from the highly respected carehome.co.uk website.

To find out more, please give us a call or visit us online.

Tel: 01354 693858 Email: TheGables@blackswan.co.uk www.blackswan.co.uk J ANUA RY 2024

D I S C O V E R I N G March

45

Free Free hot drink & social at the start of the sessions.

Carers required to stay for the session but welcome to join in, chat and have a cuppa too!

Tuesdays - 11am to 12.30pm March Braza Club Elm Road, March, PE15 8NZ Thursdays - 11am to 12.30pm King Edward Centre King Edwards Rd, Chatteris, PE16 6NG No booking required, simply come along and join in 07592 774 656 activefenlandbookings@fenland.gov.uk

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D I S C O V E R I N G March

Parking available at both venues.

Both venues are accessible.

JANUARY 2024

• 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

“When someone in the family has a hearing loss, the entire family has a hearing problem.”

Wisbech Practice 31 High Street Wisbech PE13 1DE Tel: (01945) 466386

For information on any of the services we provide, or to discuss your specific requirements, please get in touch.

Email: info@clearerhearing.co.uk

Chatteris Independent Funeral Services Proudly serving the people of Cambridgeshire since 2013, our caring and compassionate team are here to help your family in your hour of need. We realise that every funeral is different, and so we strive to make sure that your funeral is exactly as you and your loved ones intended.

Complete funeral from £2995

Sensitive and caring attention at all times, at the most difficult of times A calm and relaxed environment in our purpose fitted funeral home, with an experienced team

AT YOUR SERVICE 24/7

01354 696740 J ANUA RY 2024

Transport, catering, flowers, orders of service - we can assist with all elements

info@chatterisfuneralservices.com

www.chatterisfuneralservices.com

D I S C O V E R I N G March

47

It’s That Time of the Year Again!

E

very year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions, in the hope that there may well follow certain changes in their behaviour or in their established lifestyles and routines. Every year, the recurring themes include a clutch of “favourites” such as taking a more active approach to health and fitness; adopting a different approach to handling their finances; and learning new things for personal and professional development.

When making resolutions, or goal setting, you’re making a promise to yourself and your dreams.

It’s all about being accountable and taking ownership of your actions. With goals in place,

you can then create a structure that keeps you on track and motivated.

Deadlines and milestones which you set at this time are invaluable, reminding you to stay focused and disciplined. By sticking to your plan and putting in the effort, day after day, you develop habits that pave the way for your growth and success, whether it’s in your career or personal life.

It is highly likely that several of the top twenty most common resolutions will look familiar to you, and some of them may have even lasted until February 1st!

✦ Take more exercise.

✦ Eat a healthier diet.

✦ Lose weight.

✦ Improve your powers of concentration.

✦ Get organised and be tidier.

✦ Get out more and meet new people.

✦ Learn a new skill, language, or hobby.

✦ Be more polite and improve your manners.

✦ Live life “to the max”.

✦ Get more quality sleep.

✦ Save more money/spend less money.

✦ Volunteer and give (more) to charity.

✦ Quit smoking and/or consume less alcohol.

✦ Let go of grudges – life’s too short!

✦ Spend more time with family and friends.

✦ Adopt a pet.

✦ Travel more.

✦ Stop being late for everything.

✦ Read more.

✦ Learn to control your emotions.

The last and most important point to consider is that all the positive changes you want to make must be permanent. You will need to work on sticking with the good habits you have adopted until they just become a natural part of who you are.

il 2025! nt u e n o t ve tha JANUARY 2024 but I’ll lea

Finally, my favourite resolution has got to be to stop procrastinating …

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D I S C O V E R I N G March

Family owned & run since 1957, Islawrffordd Caravan Park offers the very best in quality.

Quote ‘Discovering’ when you call us to enquire or book!

Situated at the southern end of the magnificent Snowdonia National Park coastline in the village of Talybont, Islawrffordd is an award winning, 5 star luxury caravan park with 201 holiday homes and 75 fully serviced hard standing touring caravan/motorhome plots, all benefitting from the very best facilities, including a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna and Jacuzzi, restaurant and bar, children’s activities and adventure play area.

2 Bedroom Luxury Holiday Home • Just a few minutes’ walk

• Master Bedroom with en-suite

from the beach • Decked balcony with stunning mountain and sea views • Available for Weeks /Mini Breaks/ Weekend Breaks

• Smart TV’s with DVD in every room • Fully Insulated and double glazed • Fully Centrally Heated • Free wi-fi, (including Amazon Dot)

bathroom

For more information visit www.islawrffordd.co.uk

Call 01341 247269 or Email info@Islawrffordd.co.uk Islawrffordd Caravan Park, Talybont, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL43 2AQ

DW DM DD DB DWB Islawrffordd Caravan Park 1/2 page Advert MARCH 20.indd 1

14/02/2020 09:59

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

Happy New Year

plenty of outside seating in a south facing garden to enjoy

special event sat 27th jan

to all of our friends and members

THE

ROOKSWOOD CLUB

wine tasting evening (ticket only)

Riverside lounge available to hire for parties, weddings, anniversaries, christenings and wakes 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 J ANUA RY 2024

D I S C O V E R I N G March

49

COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto

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

I

n the 1930s the Collared Dove was a resident of the Balkan countries but it soon expanded its range. The first pair nested in Norfolk in 1955 and by 1970 the species was everywhere in the British Isles with an estimated population of 25,000 pairs.

They are now very common; if you feed birds in your garden they will be there. They announce their arrival when they fly into land with a loud squawk a bit like a gull. They are a medium sized greyish-buff bird with under parts slightly paler in colour than the back. The wing tips are black.

The tail has white tips to black feathers; this is noticeable when they come to land. The black collar at the back of the neck gives the bird its name. They also have red eyes, which is not easy to see under most conditions.

Collared Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove photographed in India

In addition to the squawk when the bird comes into land it has a rather monotonous call ‘coo-COOcoo’ that sounds as if they are saying ‘No eight pence.’ Even if you never see a Collared Dove you cannot escape hearing them.

We should be grateful that we do not have the Pacific Dove of the west coast of the Americas.

This is a similar species but its call is a depressingly mournful ‘Mooouu.’ The note is much lower and lower sounds carry much farther.

They form monogamous pairs and, given the right conditions, will breed all year round having at least five broods a year. This explains why their population has increased so rapidly. There is a theory that this year-round breeding provides chicks that are predated by Magpies and this has led to an increase in magpie numbers.

This prolific breeding habit caused problems for March Town Council several years ago. The Christmas tree was erected on the Market Place and it had Christmas lights on throughout the festive season. When it was time for the tree to be removed, a Collared Dove nest was discovered and had to be left until the young had fledged.

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The youngsters flew and they tried again to remove the tree. Unfortunately, the nest had more eggs in so there was another wait before the tree could be taken down. Christmas eventually ended in early March and a tree, almost completely without green needles, was taken away. Since then, the very last piece of the Christmas decorations to go up is the tree and it is the first to come down.

Next Gault Wood Work Parties are Saturdays January 6th and February 3rd 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)

JANUARY 2024

WIN TWO TICKETS FOR A BLOKART SESSION! To enter the competition, simply find all 10 words in the wordsearch below and then either email a clear screenshot of your completed wordsearch to hello@discoveringmagazines.co.uk or cut out the page from the magazine and post it, along with your contact details to Discovering Magazines, BLOKARTS PO Box 164, Bourne PE10 1ET. Entries must Words can be found in any direction (including diagonals) and can overlap each other. Use the word bank be in by January 31st, 2024. Good luck! below.

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To Book a Blokart Session Call:

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BLOKART • EXPERIENCE • ACTIVITY • OUTDOOR • WIND Word Bank BUZZ • GROUPS • FAMILIES • FUN • 4.POWER 1. families 2. power 3. fun blokart

J ANUA D E C EM B ER 2024 2023 5. RY wind 9. activity

6. buzz 10. experience

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Email: blokartseastanglia@outlook.com

Visit our website: www.blokartseastanglia.com D I S C O V E R I N G March 51

Bobalicious Cares for Local Dogs

S

Dog lover Beverley Jones has set up a new business locally to cater for the needs of our canine friends. he has formed Bobalicious to provide a range of services to help people look after their pets.

Beverley provides one-to-one training, a pet taxi service, dog walking, ringcraft classes and an agility area from her Doggy Day Care centre located on a three-acre site in Whittlesey Road, Benwick.

The company name comes from the kennel title derived from her first St Bernard dog, called Bob. Beverley, who owns two St Bernards and two Cane Corsos herself, is fully qualified and insured.

She said: “My first St Bernard was a great dog that I learned so much from and I wanted him to be remembered.

“We can take in around six to eight dogs each day either for full or half-days.

Most of the people that use our facilities either do so because they have to through work or holiday commitments and we are also used by a lot of older dog owners.

“We do a lot of dog walking and, since I moved here from Skegness and started the business seven months ago, people have been really kind. Now we want to let more people know what services we can offer.”

Telephone Bobalicious on 07541 574697.

• 1-2-1 Trainer • Agility Area • Pet Taxi • Dog Walker • Ringcraft Classes • Family Business • Qualified & Insured

, g i b o o t No dog mall! or too s Telephone 07541 574697 52

D I S C O V E R I N G March

JANUARY 2024

As the winter season sets in, it’s crucial to pay extra attention to your furry friend’s joint health.

Dogs, like humans, can experience discomfort and stiffness in their joints due to the colder, damper weather. Here are some tips to help care for your dog’s joints during the winter and the benefits of animal physiotherapy in maintaining their health.

Firstly, maintain your dog’s exercise routine.

Although the weather might be cold, regular, moderate exercise is crucial for joint health.

Take shorter but more frequent walks to prevent stiffness. Indoor activities, such as sniffing and searching for kibble or creating obstacle courses, can help keep your dog active.

Provide them with a cosy bed to rest on, particularly after outdoor activities. Ensure they are wrapped up warm when out on a walk, to help protect their joints. A warm environment helps in preventing joint stiffness and discomfort.

Consider providing joint supplements or adjusting their diet to include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can aid in reducing inflammation and promoting joint health.

J ANUA RY 2024

Regular vet check-ups are essential, especially during winter. A veterinarian can advise on specific joint care for your dog, prescribe supplements, and detect any joint issues early on.

Consider animal physiotherapy as an integral part of joint care for your dog. Carried out by professionals, physiotherapy helps in relieving joint pain, improving mobility, and preventing further issues.

Massage, hydrotherapy, and exercises designed for your dog's specific needs can significantly enhance joint health and overall well-being. Personalised plans aid in improving joint flexibility, muscle strength, and contributing to your dog’s comfort and happiness, particularly in the colder months.

In conclusion, by maintaining an active routine, providing proper nutrition, regular vet checkups, and considering the benefits of animal physiotherapy, you can significantly contribute to your furry friend's joint health and overall well-being during the colder months.

D I S C O V E R I N G March

53

Local History

Tales From

NORWOOD YARD

T

By Peter Wright on behalf of March & District Museum

his is from the second in a series of light-hearted items by Gerard Fiennes, who was Assistant Yard Master, Whitemoor, 1934/35, which was published in the BR staff magazine in 1954. He later wrote a controversial book ‘I Tried to Run a Railway’.

It shows the effort that was put in by the staff at the Norwood Yard, when marshalling wagons of perishable traffic for various locations. Subsequent to this the new ‘hump shunting’ was employed, which reduced the physical effort significantly.

‘Norwood has passed an anniversary, a melancholy one; the first after its demotion from Express Goods Yard to shunting empties. A sorry end for what has been, (perhaps) the fastest yard in Britain and maybe in the world. I have heard that between six o'clock and half past eight they have put more than seven hundred wagons of fruit over the little hump.

‘Over six hundred in two-and-a-half hours I have seen myself, in the heat of an autumn evening. The Wisbeches and Lynns, the Norwiches and Londons, the Sutton, the Loops via St Ives and the Parkeston, surging thick and fast on to the arrival sidings.

‘The staff were freeing train engines, breaking vacuum pipes, releasing brakes, slackening screw couplings. Tommy, the burly head shunter, idle between trains, hands crossed on top of his pole, chin resting on his hands; no collar, sweating like a bull, grimy up to his eyebrows. Nine minutes shunting, two minutes for the pilot engine to fetch another one; two hundred and fifty wagons an hour!

‘The long line of hooded vans rolls steadily over the little hump. The cuts peel off. Hodge in the ground frame smacks the levers over and home.

Hodge, a Cockney, was the coolest hand in the outfit in spite of his twenty lever movements a minute; knowing that in one half second's error of judgement one cut will overtake another on a diverging route and twiddle off the road; in spite of having to keep one eye to his right on the cuts and the other to his left on Tommy giving him the hand signs showing which siding the next cut is for.

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‘Tommy and Hodge had their own system of signs, different from the other shifts. It is not easy to devise fifteen signals for the right hand – the left being occupied with the pole – which are not already in the Rule Book. Tapping the head, the shoulder, and scratching the armpit are three gestures which brought no blush of shame to the innocent cheek of visiting Top Brass, but for others Tommy and Hodge had drawn freely on their imagination.

‘At half past seven, two K3 fast goods engines, move on to the 7.45 for Guide Bridge and 7.50 for Ducie Street, both Manchester.

‘Tommy sends the pilot down for the braked sections. Ten minutes rest while these trains are made up. There is still the 3.38 Lynn, the second Cambridge and the Whittlesea to shunt. At. 8.25 Tommy has done. He sends the pilot to pick up the Leicesters, Godleys and Lincolns for second sorting on to the front of the Colwick (Nottinham). The third Manchester and the Sheffield. He walks back to the frame, crosses his hands on the top of his pole and rests his chin on his hands while reflecting on the evening’s activity.

‘For more than an hour the Newcastle, the York, the Bradford, and the rest stream away, steaming heavily over the little hump and dwindling towards the North – twenty years ago. Norwood will shunt no more Fast Goods in the heat and glow of an autumn evening.’

Photo: K3, in British Railway livery, waiting for the next call

MARCH MUSEUM

is located in High Street and is open Wednesdays and Saturdays 10.30am-3.30pm www.marchmuseum.co.uk Email: info@marchmuseum.co.uk

JANUARY 2024

GER

Sports & Social Club PRESENTS

J ANUA RY 2024

D I S C O V E R I N G March

55

e rim re n p he zo ve ma l li d a al an ootb f

MONDAY 1st JAN

SATURDAY 13th JAN

CINDERELLA PANTOMIME

MEATLOAF TRIBUTE ACT

SATURDAY 27th JAN

SYLVESTER GOLD

At The March United Services Club

Monday 1st January 2024 at 4pm Tickets £5 per person

Starts 4pm | Tickets £5

Doors open 7.30pm Tickets £10 for all (Members 2 for 1)

Doors open 7.30pm Members free Non-members £3

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

1 New Road, March PE15 9AN Telephone: 01354 657271 Email: uscmarch@yahoo.com Facebook: @marchunitedservices 56

D I S C O V E R I N G March

J A NAUPARRIL Y 2024 3

What’s Coming Up WEDNESDAY LUNCHES RESUME JANUARY 24TH Served from 12 noon to 2pm

EVERY THURSDAY: PUB QUIZ NIGHT 7.30pm start, FREE entry, all welcome

SUNDAY 14TH JANUARY TRADITIONAL CARVERY With choice of desserts followed by tea or coffee. £16pp – booking essential. 1pm start

SATURDAY 20th JANUARY CECIL FARAYI AND HIS MOTOWN & SOUL SHOW £5 members, £6 non-members

SUNDAY 28th JANUARY MONTHLY SUNDAY QUIZ

Teams of four (max), £2pp, 7.30pm start. All welcome

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...

SATURDAY 3rd FEBRUARY STATUS QUO TRIBUTE NIGHT WITH STATUS QUOTE £10 members, £12 non-members

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?

D I Road, S C O VMarch E R I N PE15 G March NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME 14 Creek 8RD57

J ANUA RY 2024

The

quiz

n o i t i s i u q In

1 2 3 4 5

12

6 7 8 9 10 11

“World of Sport” TV presenter with a bushy ’tash. (D.D.) Author of “The Life and Loves of a She-Devil.” (F.W.)

13

Football commentator with his signature sheepskin coat. (J.M.) First woman Speaker of the House of Commons, 1992 to 2000. (B.B.)

14

British cartoonist, renowned for “The Cloggies” and “The Fosdyke Saga”.

(B.T.)

15

Dog-loving, Merseyside TV presenter.

(P. O’G.)

British/French actress whose “Je t’aime … moi non plus” hit song set many a pulse racing! (J.B.) Britain’s first million-pound footballer whose goal in the 1979 final won the European Cup for Nottingham Forest.

(T.F.) Yorkshireman considered to be the finest Saturday night TV chat show host. (M.P.) Scottish actor famous for playing Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard in “NCIS” and Illya Kuryakin in “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” (D.M.)

16

Acclaimed actor best known for playing Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight “Harry Potter” films. (M.G.)

“Strictly” judge who made the number 7 his trademark. (L.G.)

17

Irish singer and activist whose song “Nothing Compares 2 U”, was the top world single of 1990. (S.O’C.)

Australian comedian/actor who gave the world Dame Edna Everage.

(B.H.)

18

Iconic actress and model, famous for her mesmerizing roles in films like “One Million Years B.C.” (R.W.)

Disgraced Australian TV presenter who sang about “Jake the Peg” and “Two Little Boys”. (R.H.)

19

American composer of many pop classics, including “I Say a Little Prayer” and “Walk On By”. (B.B.)

Acting Dame and former Labour politician. (G.J.)

20

Fashion designer, inventor of the mini skirt. (M.Q.)

Manchester United’s finest?

(B.C.)

1) Dickie Davies, 2) Fay Weldon, 3) John Motson, 4) Baroness Betty Boothroyd, 5) Bill Tidy, 6) Paul O’Grady, 7) Dame Mary Quant, 8) Len Goodman, 9) Barry Humphries, 10) Rolf Harris, 11) Dame Glenda Jackson, 12) Jane Birkin, 13) Trevor Francis, 14) Sir Michael Parkinson, 15) David McCallum, 16) Sir Michael Gambon, 17) Sinead O’Connor, 18) Raquel Welch, 19) Burt Bacharach, 20) Sir Bobby Charlton.

D I S C O V E R I N G March

Answers

58

Who Did We Lose in 2023?

JANUARY 2024

LOCAL CLUBS & GROUPS Fenland Music Centre: For musicians of all ages and abilities.

Fridays (term-times) 6-9pm at St Peter's Church March. Orchestra, Concert Band, String, Wind, Brass & Recorder Ensembles. For more information see our website, find us on Facebook or email fenlandmusiccentreassociation@gmail.com 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.

Friends of March Library: 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. 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 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.

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 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 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.

March Dog Training Club: Meets at Tower Hall, Maltmas Drove Fridaybridge PE14 OHW every Wednesday evening. Membership is £5 per year and classes are £3 per session. Puppy class commences at 6pm. For more information of other classes please contact Maggie on 01354 657185 or 07514 882509.

March Bridge Club: At the Braza Club, Station Road, March.

Every Thursday 1.15 -4.30pm. Cost £3 per session. Please contact George Jupp on 01354 652586 or 07963 771179

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.

Meets 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.

www.wisbechtennisclub.org.uk

07549 263767 wtcmembership@hotmail.co.uk

ALL AGES AND LEVELS WELCOME Call, text or email for information about a range of membership options for individuals and family groups.

PAY-TO-PLAY ALSO AVAILABLE

Advertise your or

March Raceway: One of the oldest 1/12 radio control car oval Wisbech Tennis 1-8 june 22.indd 1 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.

March Triathlon Club: Meets every Thursday 8-9pm for swim training at the George Campbell Leisure Centre. All abilities welcome. Please contact Martyn on 01354 460000.

J ANUA RY 2024

Club Group £36 Meeting FROM

17/05/2022 13:21

S TLE A +VAT

A LIT

EAR

PER Y

Magazines GET IN TOUCH

Please call Paula for more information on 07903 7769211 or email marketing.discoveringmagazines@gmail.com

D I S C O V E R I N G March

59

AERIAL & SATELLITE INSTALLATIONS

CARS WANTED

WANTED ALL CARS, VANS TRUCKS & 4X4s

TV Aerial Installations ● CCTV Systems ● Satellite Installations ● Data Cabling ● IRS & Commercial ● Servicing & Repairs

01733 691200 07512 394975

●

www.airborneaerials.co.uk

New or old With or without MOT High or low miles Top prices paid

Call Wayne on 07778 057991

Other services include TV aerial and satellite installations and repairs

gary@airborneaerials.co.uk

Also camper vans and motorhomes bought

DECORATING

TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE

Dab Hands

CALL PAULA ON 01778 421427 OR 07903 776211 PRICES START FROM JUST £29

PAIN TIN G & DEC O R ATIN G

• Interior painting work undertaken in the March area • Private residential and landlord renovations welcome, regardless of condition • 18 years’ experience

FR EE N O-OB LIGAT ION QUOT ES

Contact Darryl on 07745 602494 for prices and availability

DECORATING & TILING

ELECTRICIAN

T. D. A. Services

A.M Fisher Electrical Contractor

Decorating and Tiling Specialist

March (Est 1972)

Expert interior and exterior decoration, including: • All types of painting, staining & varnishing • Wall & floor tiling • Wallpapering

✓ Domestic & Commercial installations

• FREE estimates & references available on request • Fully insured

Call Tony on - Mobile: 07908 008007 | Telephone: 01487 815926 E-mail: tda-services@hotmail.co.uk | Based in March

10% OFF

if you men tion this advert

✓ Inspections & testing carried out 01354 740206 | 07770 931667 alwynf92@gmail.com

Appearance is not everything, it’s the only thing!

FURNITURE SHOP

FURNITURE SHOP 45 HIGH STREET, MARCH PE15 9JJ

We can arrange for our van to collect your items

60

GATES & FENCING

FENLAND GATE & FENCING ESTD. 30 YEARS

ALL TYPES OF GATES & FENCING SUPPLIED, INSTALLED & REPAIRED

Please telephone 01354 653857

HEDGE & CONIFER REMOVAL • TRIMMING SERVICE GARDEN SHED REPAIRS & ROOF RE-FELTS • FREE ADVICE • FREE QUOTES

OPENING TIMES: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm

CALL STEVE KENNEDY 01354 653782 | 07897 339334

Winter Business Directory

W W W . D IS COV E R IN G M A G A Z IN E S . CO. U K | J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 4

GARDEN CARE

MASSAGE

ALL TYPES OF GARDEN MAINTENANCE UNDERTAKEN

PINE TREE CARE & LANDSCAPES LTD

Tree Felling, Pruning, Shaping & Crowning Hedges Pruned & Shaped Overgrown Gardens Cleared Waste Removed Fencing/Patios/Turfing/Power Washing All work fully guaranteed No deposits required • OAP discounts

CALL STEVE TODAY 01945 898314/07780 929409 pinetreecare1@gmail.com

OVEN CLEANING

OSTEOPATH

Need your Oven cleaning?

MARCH OSTEOPATHS

OVENS AGAS MICROWAVES HOBS EXTRACTORS BBQS FRIDGES-FREEZERS t. 0800 999 1021 e. info.ovenbrite@gmail.com

FREEDOM OF MOTION: THE KEY TO YOUR BODY’S HEALTH AND WHOLENESS Treatment for neck and back pain. Headache and migraine. Tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis.

Intervertebral disc problems and sciatica.

Gentle effective treatment for the whole individual. Let us solve your problem.

2 Station Approach Tel: 01354 660513 www.gurusingh.org.uk

Brighten your oven with OVENBRITE

ROOFING SERVICES

POND MAINTENANCE Pete’s P onds

WINTER POND & FISH HEALTH CHECKS New Builds & Liner Repairs

2 Queensway, Pointon, Sleaford, Lincs NG34 0NE

Tel: 07393 367410 Email: peteburlton@live.com  Search Pete’s Pond Clearances TREE SURGERY

ALL ASPECTS OF TREE SURGERY FOR WISBECH, MARCH, CHATTERIS AND SURROUNDING AREAS:

VEHICLE REPAIRS

Nigel’s Vehicle Repairs of March

• Felling, shaping and pruning • 24hr emergency service • Stump grinding and removal • All waste removed • Fully insured CALL TODAY FOR A FREE QUOTATION

T: 01945 450082 M: 07711 897089

www.bowlestreeandgardenservices.co.uk

Folleys Drove, Guyhirn, Wisbech

W W W .DI SCO VER INGMAGAZI N E S. C O . UK | J AN UARY 2024

CAR RESTORATION RESPRAYS & ACCIDENT REPAIRS MOT PREPARATION • WELDING ALLOY WHEELS REFURBISHED Gaul Farm, Gaul Road PE15 0YY

TELEPHONE 07907 683866 Automatic closing gates installed; please call Nigel to gain access

Winter Business Directory

61

YOUR ONE-STOP CARAVAN SHOP

Does your caravan need a little TLC? CARAVANS BOUGHT FOR CASH

REPAIR

INSURANCE

SERVICING

ACCESSORIES

Our onsite workshop offers a fully comprehensive repair service for your caravan or motorhome.

From a minor service to a full comprehensive check, our experienced engineers will give you peace of mind for your journeys ahead.

SALES

Looking to buy? We have a range of used caravans that may suit your requirements.

We are a fully, insuranceapproved repair centre for all major UK insurers and manufacturers.

We’ve got everything for your camping needs in our friendly, onsite shop.

SPARES

Looking for a spare part?

Why not get in touch? With our contacts in the industry, we may be able to order spares in for you.

A FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS WITH 30 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE

01733 350580 M 07732 371171 T

info@vandgcaravans.co.uk www.vandgcaravans.co.uk D I S C O V E R I N G March 107 Benwick Road • Whittlesey • Peterborough • PE7 2HD

62

V&G CARAVANS JANUARY 2024

JANUARY CLEARANCE

SALE ON NEW & USED CARS

BIG SAVINGS

UP TO

SAVE ON

50%OFF £12 £4,000 *

USED STOCK FROM

OVER

MILLION OF STOCK

700

USED CARS IN GROUP STOCK

£179

# NEW CARS PER AVAILABLE FROM MONTH AFTER INITIAL RENTAL OF £2,535#

Thurlow Nunn Wisbech Cromwell Road, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE14 0RG 01945 561496

www.thurlownunn.co.uk

Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km). Vauxhall range: Urban: 12.7 (22.3) – 74.3 (3.8), Extra-urban: 23.9 (11.8) – 91.1 (3.1), Combined: 18.0 (15.7) – 85.6(3.3). CO2 emissions: 373 – 88g/km). *Up to 50% of available on used cars only. 20 vehicles (just over 1%) of our cars have a saving of 50%. The remaining 99% of vehicles will have saving up to the value of 50%. Please ask for further details as to what savings are applied on each model. All savings end 31/01/2024. #Thurlow Nunn Ltd is a credit-broker not a lender. Subject to status. Terms & Conditions apply. You will never own the vehicle. We may receive a commission from the hire company for arranging a Contract Hire agreement for you. Offer available on the Vauxhall Corsa Design 1.2 75ps on a 48 month term Personal Contract Hire. 6,000 miles per annum, excess mileage charges apply. Additional mileage will be charged at 10p per mile.

J ANUA RY 2024

D I S C O V E R I N G March

63

nt ns ge e A eF th of

Right up your street for over 200 years Looking forward to the next 200!

For five generations we have been helping clients buy, sell, let and manage property and land in this area. Whether it be your home, farm, factory or development site, talk to the Agents with local knowledge and professional expertise, who are an established part of your community.

2024

March Residential Sales

Wisbech Residential Sales

01354 607100

01945 428820

March Residential Lettings

Wisbech Residential Lettings

01354 607105

01945 428825

March Professional

Wisbech Professional

6401354 D I S602030 C O V

E R I N G March 01945 428830

maxeygrounds.co.uk JANUARY 2024