Discovering March issue 133, October 2024 by Discovering Magazines

PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING STORES IN NORFOLK

Welcome to your October issue...

Atimely reminder that “Stoptober” is now upon us, a movement that has already driven over one million ‘quit smoking attempts’ to date and is the biggest mass quit attempt in the country. It is based on research that shows that if you can stop smoking for twenty-eight days, you are five times more likely to stay smoke-free for good.

Why not give it a go this year? For some very useful information, visit www.healthypeterborough.org.uk and www. campaignresources. dhsc.gov.uk/campaigns/stoptober-2024/

With the money you’ve saved, then treat yourselves to a Christmas to remember – less than a hundred days from now! But before then, don’t forget to stock up for when those “Trick or Treaters” pay you a visit on Hallowe’en. Finally, don’t forget to change your clocks (“Spring forward, Fall back”), as we lose the hour on Sunday October 27th.

Britons are renowned for their obsession with the weather with hardly a day going by without someone referencing it... me included. It seems for most people it’s either too hot, too cold, too wet, too rainy, or too windy with some days seemingly featuring all weather variants.

However, the one weather trait that spurs me into comment is the light; I cannot bear those dull, cloudy days when the lack of sunshine darkens my mood.

It is particularly common here in the Fens with our big skies and the prevalence of low cloud creating a depressing atmosphere during the shortening daylight hours.

British Summer Time ends on Sunday, October 27th when the clocks will go back an hour, however I don’t think that’s radical enough; I wish the time would go back to June... Thank goodness for my sunny disposition!

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 | Richard Hallam

With thanks to Deadline details

Copy deadline for the November issue is Friday, 11th October 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.

The Shed Shop, Eileen Le Voi, Jennifer Lawler, Joan Munns, Diamond Byte, Vine Law, March Podiatry and Peter Wright.

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

CRICKET CLUB’S MARVELLOUS EFFORT

March Marvels women’s Cricket team members have helped raise £3000 for charity after completing a sixteen-mile walk in memory of their teammate Janice Fiore who sadly passed away in January this year.

They powered on through the rain to raise money for Mind during the run which saw them having breakfast at Skylark Garden Centre & Cafe at the eight-mile mark before returning to their March Cricket Club home for a glass of Prosecco. Marvels vice-captain Catherine Goakes planned the route while Ashlie Barnard of Mayflower Financial Planning Ltd provided the Marvels with Mind shirts, breakfast and medals, with Emma Liversedge taking charge of the support vehicle. March Town Cricket Club recently raised money for Mind with T20 Cricket against Ladybirds Netball Club, March Bears Rugby Club, March Town Football Club and March Town Hockey Club and the Marvels concluded the fundraising when they hosted Sutton CC in the first Janice Fiore memorial match.

Photos: March Marvels helped raise money for Mind, supported by Mayflower Financial Planning Ltd

KATH'S CAMPAIGNS HONOURED

March mum Kath Sansom, who campaigns to raise awareness of the life-changing harm of plastic surgical mesh implants, has been awarded a £20,000 grant to continue her work. She has been named a winner of the 2024 Tenacious Campaigner Awards, which supports campaigners working to right an injustice, in recognition of her work for the Sling the Mesh campaign which she launched almost a decade ago.

ROBERT DELIVERS A SOLID SERVICE

Robert Brooks has been servicing and supplying parts for a wide range of solid fuel boilers, stoves and heating systems for the past twenty-four years. His company, Solid Fuel Boilers, which is based in Sandy, Bedfordshire, stocks a wide range of parts for many of the leading manufacturers such as Parkray, Rayburn and Trianco.

Although there has been a move away from using solid fuel over the past few years, Robert said there is still a big demand for service work.

He said: “Obviously numbers have reduced over the years, but there is still a good demand for servicing work and parts in rural areas such as Fenland. A lot of people are still using solid fuel.

“Many of the big companies supply parts but don’t carry out service work but we do and can deliver quality servicing for all types of boilers and room heaters. All grates and glass fronted doors can be fitted, as well as door re- alignment carried out.”

Contact Solid Fuel Boilers on 07789 194929; Email: solidfuelboilers@gmail.com www.solidfuelboilers.co.uk

DO YOU HAVE SPRAY FOAM?

Industry reports suggest that some homeowners have found it difficult to remortgage or sell properties that have spray foam insultation. If installed incorrectly, spray foam insulation may lead to condensation which can affect a roof structure.

PROBLEMS THAT OCCUR:

• Reduced air circulation and ventilation within a roof space.

• Dampness and condensation on the underside of a roof as the spray foam stops moisture from escaping.

• Difficulty in remortgaging or selling your property.

• Roof rafters are at risk of decay.

Local mum Daisy and her son Zac, from Norwood Road, March were both so excited to win the £50 prize money in our August issue Summer Hunt. Thanks to all those who entered!

Acole

Plumbing Services Ltd

Consumer Advice

QR Codes – What Are the Risks?

By Eileen Le Voi at Safe Local Trades

Understandably, people sometimes worry about whether to trust QR codes. Many are used in public spaces (like pubs and restaurants which are deemed to be relatively safe), so you may be wondering: are criminals placing malicious QR codes to steal money, information, or trick people in some way?

The majority of QR code-related fraud tends to happen in open spaces (like stations and car parks), and often involves an element of social engineering. However, QR codes are increasingly being used in phishing emails (a technique sometimes called ‘quishing’).

Have you spotted a recurring payment to a company you’ve never heard of? You’re not alone, as subscription traps – often linked to dodgy QR codes – are one of the most reported complaints to the Which? scam sharer tool.

People find they've been charged for subscriptions they didn’t sign up for after trying to download apps on their phones, or scan QR codes in restaurants, pubs, shops, bus stops, stations and car parks. Others notice payments to brands they don't recognise, but don't know where these companies got their card details from.

Five ways to use QR codes safely – thanks to consumer champions, Which?

1 Check for evidence of tampering when you scan QR codes in public spaces, as someone may have placed a sticker over the real one, or it may look out of place. If in any doubt, type in the web address manually to visit the correct website.

Service List

• All general plumbing repairs undertakenbig or small.

• All domestic heating repairs undertaken.

• All domestic boiler fault ﬁnding undertakenboth gas and oil.

• Landlord Gas Safety certiﬁcates

• House purchase inspections of plumbing and heating

• Boiler replacements.

• Central heating power ﬂushing.

97 Nene Parade | March | Cambridgeshire 07759 768060 | 01354 650502 acoleplumbing@btinternet.com

2 Don't use an app to scan QR codes as it increases the risk of downloading malware or being redirected to a misleading advert. Most phones have a scanner built into the camera, so use this instead.

3 Preview the web address as you start to scan it – you should be able to inspect the link by clicking on additional settings within the scanner, or you could turn off internet access for your device (put it on airplane mode) and open the link to view the address details first. If it doesn’t begin with ‘https’ or the website's address is different to what you were expecting, then don't visit it.

4 Don't use QR codes to download apps as this increases the risks of installing something malicious. Use a verified app store instead (Play Store at play. google.com or App Store at apps.apple.com).

5 Avoid QR codes in emails as scammers are increasingly using QR codes to disguise malicious links, as email security tools don’t always scan images.

Colin Ovenden

offers a complete service

Glyn Jones Auctions has added to the professional services it can now offer its customers with estate agency being introduced alongside house clearances, auctions and removals – making it a complete one-stop property shop for householders and businesses.

Owner Glyn said: “We added estate agency to our business in January this year after I had been approached by people wanting to know if we did it. We previously offered house clearances, auctions and removals and this was like a puzzle, putting all the pieces together to provide a full service.

“Back in the 1980s and 1990s it was all about people offering a specialist service, but I am old school and I wanted to put everything back in one box so that people could get the whole range of services from one source.

“All four things are connected so I have spent the last two years getting the qualifications I need to act as an estate agent.”

Glyn started out in 1976 with buying and selling antiques and collectors’ pieces at auctions and over the subsequent decades has worked in a variety of fields from exporting furniture to overseas markets including America, Australia and New Zealand, to running a factory making pine furniture, and carrying out house clearances and working at an auction house.

This experience led him to start Glyn Jones Auctions which is based on the Springwater Business Park in Station Road, Whittlesey, from where it services the requirements of customers from all over the country.

The company prides itself on the professional services it can offer, giving a full, confidential, discreet and honest service, whether you need to dispose of an estate, however large or small, arrange a clearance, or if you are looking to buy or sell at one of its auctions or sell your property.

Glyn added: “I aim to give an honest, professional service. For example, we do not offer a cheap house clearance service like some people do and then dump the waste illegally, we deal with everything properly and adhere to all the legal requirements for disposal.”

He has also served in the British Army as a TA solider, taking part in a peacekeeping tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina; something that he says gave him the discipline and attention to detail that has stayed with him.

To obtain all your clearance, auction, removal, or estate agency requirements from ONE source contact Glyn Jones Auctions, Unit 16, Springwater Business Park, Station Rod, Whittlesey PE7 2EU. Tel: (01733) 963031 or 07583 816019

Email: enquiries@glynjones-auctions.com www.glynjones-auctions.com

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HATCHWOODS, KNIGHTS END ROAD

By Jennifer Lawler

In the Middle Ages much of March was in the Bishop of Ely's manor of Doddington. The first March manor, Hatchwood, was recorded in 1328 when Geoffrey de Colevill sued Roger Huse in the bishop's court for unlawfully entering Hatchwood manor.

In 1407 Geoffrey Colvile and his wife had a licensed private chapel in their house at Hachewood. Hatchwood manor containing forty messuages (houses with land) remained in the Colville family for 180 years until it passed from John Colville to Humphrey Gardner and his wife Elizabeth in 1586. They sold it to Sir William Hynde, whose widow sold it to Sir John Peyton in 1606 adding it to his Doddington manor which included March.1 The 1602 map in March Museum shows a large square area labelled Hatchwood in two sections and divided into plots with wooded areas. The name Hatch/Hache may come from an Old English word meaning hack or cut, or an opening or door into a wood.

By 1838 William Pratt was the tenant of Hatchwood farm with 131 acres and a house. In 1855 William Searle was the occupier of the farm with its 152 acres and John Ward was the tenant of twelve acres of land at Hatchwood owned by C. Dobson.2

The twelve acres occupied by John Ward of excellent freehold arable and pasture with barn, stable and buildings and divided into three plots, were offered for sale in 1855. At Hatchwoods Farm in 1880 Mr Searle sold all of his valuable farming stock including nine horses, ten beasts, 207 sheep and lambs, and eleven pigs. He also sold all implements including wagons, ploughs and various equipment.3

In 1912 Peyton tenants, including Hatchwoods farm tenant Harry Burton, received notice to leave by Michaelmas 1913. The remaining 1337 acres of Peyton estates in Cambridgeshire were sold, including five hundred acres at Manor farm Doddington, four hundred acres at West Fen March, two hundred acres at Cavalry Barn March and 150 acres at Hatchwood, March. Sir Algernon

Peyton sold his Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire farms and other holdings explaining that he lived in Oxfordshire though ‘his heart was in the Fens and he took a perpetual interest in them’.4

On the 1886 map Hatchwood House, which no longer exists, was opposite and west of Mill Hill Lane and west of the present Grade 2 listed Hatchwoods house at 50 Knights End Road.5 The present house which is also shown on that map is late C18 of narrow gault bricks in English bond with a steeply pitched tiled roof, probably once thatched. There are end parapets and original end chimneystacks. It is of two storeys with a string course between storeys. It has a symmetrical facade, central doorway and panelled door with two small glazed panels, and five windows in the original segmental arches.6

Main photo: Hatchwoods as it is now

Inset: Hatchwoods as it may have looked in the past

1 British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch cambs/vol4/pp116-123#n4

2 March Rates Books, March Museum

3 Cambridge Independent Press November 10 1855 p1; October 9 1880 p4

4 The Cambridgeshire Times August 16 1912 p6

5 1886 map, March Museum

6 Historic England, https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the list/list-entry/1216347?section=official-list-entry

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• Helping people regain independence since 1999

MATTERS COMMUNITY

GETTING ACTIVE IN FENLAND

New ‘Couch to 5k’ running programmes have been launched in Fenland in a new round of free and low-cost exercise and wellbeing sessions announced by Active Fenland.

Two adult groups who took part in the first Active Fenland 'couch to 5k' programme have been awarded with certificates and many have progressed to joining in with free Saturday 5k park runs in the district.

Free Couch to 5K Wednesday sessions started on September 25th and will run until November 27th, 6.30pm -7.30pm, at March Athletic Club, Elm Road Sports Field, Elm Road, March PE15 0BH.

Other activities include adults’ 'Wellbeing Dance and Stretch' fun dance and wellness stretching classes for beginners on Tuesdays until December 17th (excluding October 29th), 7pm to 8pm, £2.50 per session or £32.50 for the block,

at Neale Wade Sports Centre, Wimblington Road, March PE15 9PX.

‘Kickboxing For Wellbeing' is on Saturdays until December 14th (excluding November 23rd), 9.30am to 10.30am, at RKA Kickboxing Academy, Unit C4, Enterprise Park, March PE15 0BD. For people aged sixteen-plus. Price £2.50 per session or £30 for the block.

Couch to 5k 'graduates' in March with, front right, Fenland District Council portfolio holder for leisure Cllr Alex Miscandlon, volunteers from March Athletic Club and the run leader

Photo:

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Wild about March

The Kingfisher Alcedo

atthis

FBy Joan Munns, of March

Wildlife Group & March & District Woodland Group

or such a vividly coloured bird, kingfishers are very hard to see. They will sit motionless on a tree branch overhanging a river from which they will dive to catch fish. There are kingfishers around the River Nene through March and listening for them is the best way of finding them. The call is a shrill ‘chee’ as they fly low over the river and if you are lucky, you will see a flash of turquoise go by.

If they catch a fish, they will beat it on a branch before turning it round to swallow it headfirst. Occasionally they may catch a fish that is really too big but they will very seldom admit this to themselves and struggle for ages to get it down. However, when you see them, they are unmistakable. The back is turquoise with darker blue wings and an orange chest and belly and red feet. The head and bill look disproportionately large whilst the tail is very short. The wings are quite short and flight is alternately whirring wings and gliding.

Kingfishers live in Britain all year and can suffer badly if there is a hard frost that freezes a layer of ice on the water they fish in, preventing them getting to the small fish and insect larvae they depend on. If this happens, they will migrate to the coast where they can fish in rock pools and creeks. The sexes are alike and both excavate the nesting burrow in a lake or riverbank. The nest hole is about one metre (three feet) deep and climbs up gently from the entrance. Five to seven eggs will be laid on the bare earth in the nesting chamber at the end of the burrow and both parents will incubate the eggs. The eggs take about three weeks to hatch and the young will fledge in four weeks. The inside becomes really foul with a mixture of excrement and food waste that gets worse and worse on a daily basis. The adults going in and out to feed the young get filthy and will often

come out of the nest hole and plunge straight into the water below the nest site to clean up. Nest holes are frequently reused so they must lose their odious smell during the year or the birds enjoy their obnoxious odour.

Most predators will not take kingfishers because the flesh has an unpleasant taste. If it is in the breeding season, they probably don’t smell too good either. Next Gault Wood Work Parties are Saturdays October 5th and November 2nd 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)

Kingfisher, Slimbridge

Kingfisher, Market Harborough town centre

INSTANT CASH

WATCHES, JEWELLERY, GOLD, SILVER,

ALL MILITARY WATCHES WANTED, ALL BRITISH & FOREIGN COINS WANTED, ANY AMOUNTS BOUGHT.

CASH PAID FOR SILVER, BANK NOTES, COINS ETC...

Come and see us at:

MARCH: The Oliver Cromwell Hotel, High Street, March PE15 9LB on Wednesday 16th October, 11am-2pm or call 07724 473810

JOIN OUR TREASURE HUNT: Do you have cash in the attic? Come along to our Antique Roadshow – if the offer is OK, flog it!

So come on down, this is the Real Deal! From scrap gold to the finest antique jewellery, we’ll take it. We purchase all quality watches and jewellery – gold and silver is at an all-time high, so cash in. From old silver coins to antique silver tea sets, we want them all. WANTED – all Aviator diver/military watches. Best price paid.

HOW TO UPGRADE YOUR COMPUTER

Is your computer sluggish? Or maybe it no longer supports the games you play? Whatever your reasons for needing to upgrade your laptop or desktop PC, there are a couple of things that are upgradable; the hard drive and the RAM. By going down this route, you can turn it back into a perfectly functional laptop or desktop PC, which not only makes sense financially, but will also help with the growing global problem of e-waste.

Upgrading your computer’s RAM RAM (Random Access Memory) is the temporary storage memory used by your computer. The more programs you use, the more RAM you need, and the slower your computer will be if you don’t have enough.

Adding RAM is often the cheapest upgrade you can make to speed up a slow computer. Although it may have had more than enough RAM when you first bought it, after a few years it will have trouble keeping up with the demands of the latest programs.

Greater RAM means that the computer won´t have to rely on the hard drive for memory and with more memory, you will be able to operate more programs and software simultaneously.

When upgrading the computer´s RAM you must identify the type of RAM it is using. To do this, right click the start button, then click system and you will see the Installed Memory (RAM) information. Generally, if you have a 32-bit system, you will need 2GB of RAM. If you have a 64-bit operating system, we recommend a minimum of 6GB of RAM.

Upgrading your computer’s hard drive

Movies, music, and games will quickly fill your hard drive space. Upgrading your hard drive may also be a requirement when you need to perform a system update, a software update, or run a new operating system. Hard drives tend to become less effective and reliable over time, therefore, if you have used your hard drive for

a long period of time and don’t want it to suddenly stop working, which could put your valuable information at risk, you should consider upgrading it.

Solid-state drives (SSDs) have read and write speeds many times greater than classic hard disks. Before purchasing an SSD, do check that it’s possible to get inside your computer and that yours is compatible with the SSD. If it’s just a few years old, it probably is. Really old models might not have support for SSDs (but a computer that elderly isn’t going to be worth upgrading anyway!).

Do bear in mind however, that if your PC is much more than seven years old, you will be better off buying a new one since the cost of replacing all the components can cost more than a new PC itself. In addition, it will not support the latest Microsoft operating system, Windows 11. Refurbished laptops and desktop are generally the best way to go since you will definitely get a higher spec one for your money.

PHILIP AT DIAMOND BYTE

Mayflower can change your life

By Ashlie Barnard

When I founded Mayflower Financial Planning it was important to me to offer cashflow modelling to all clients so that you can make life changing decisions without guessing what your financial situation may look like later on.

One of the most common questions I get as a Chartered Financial Advisor, is ‘when can I afford to retire?’

Cashflow modelling enables us to put your financial information into our system, project figures forward – taking account charges, inflation, performance and even market crashes and give you an exact date. Moreover, we are able to build in those scenarios that might also be causing indecision such as paying off your mortgage, downsizing

or moving home, contributing to a child’s wedding and even assess the impact of serious illness or an early death. All displayed in a helpful and easy to read graph.

Feedback we have from clients is that the service is life changing. Often seeing tears of relief and on the occasions when the outcome doesn’t look quite so good, enables us to build a plan with you on how to improve and change your spending habits or financial holdings to get you closer to your goal.

As part of the process, we write out to all your providers for you so you don’t have to, obtaining the details of your pensions, savings, mortgages, insurance policies, getting a really clear understanding of where you are in achieving your goal.

If you have a ‘when can I? or ‘how can I?’ question, then get in touch with our friendly team in complete confidence on (01354) 278088 or ashliebarnard@tpllp.com

The value of investments can go down as well as up. You could get back less than you put in.

Considering Your Digital Legacy

We cannot emphasise enough how important it is for people to think about their digital legacy. Recent research highlights a concerning trend: fewer than a quarter of individuals over thirty have included digital assets in their will. This gap in estate planning could have significant implications for loved ones left behind, making it increasingly urgent for people to address digital assets as part of their overall legacy.

The research, conducted by The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, reveals that while 86% of UK adults over thirty possess digital assets, a mere 20% have referenced them in their will. This statistic is striking, given the importance of digital assets in our modern lives. Digital assets encompass anything that exists in a digital format rather than a physical one, including: online banking accounts, cryptocurrencies, social media profiles, email accounts, and online storage services. More importantly, it also covers more personal items such as photos and videos stored on laptops, smartphones, and other devices - memories and moments that, if not properly accounted for, could be lost to loved ones after a person passes away. Including a reference to digital assets in your will can significantly minimise the distress experienced by your loved ones after your death. When digital assets are overlooked in estate planning, it can create a situation where family members or executors struggle to gain access to important online accounts. This can lead to complications,

delays, and additional emotional strain at an already difficult time. By ensuring that your digital assets are included in your will, you provide clear instructions on how these assets should be managed and accessed, thus protecting both your digital legacy and your loved ones.

To address this, we would advise keeping a log of your accounts. Start by making a secure list that includes login details, passwords, and any other relevant information. This log should be regularly updated and stored in a safe place, such as with your will or in a secure online vault. Some online services, like Apple and Facebook, offer features that allow you to appoint a legacy contact – a person who can manage your accounts after your death. Making use of these features can add an extra layer of security and ensure your wishes are respected.

Given the growing importance of digital assets, it’s crucial that more people consider their digital belongings before they die. Where possible, it’s a good idea to discuss your digital assets and your will with a solicitor. A legal professional can help ensure your wishes are clearly communicated and legally binding, providing peace of mind that your digital legacy is in good hands.

If you would like to discuss your digital assets when making your will, please do not hesitate to contact Cath Collins at Vine Law. You can reach Cath at (01945) 898090 or via email at cathcollins@vinelaw.co.uk Taking these steps now can make all the difference for your loved ones in the future.

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Planning our Open Day to Celebrate 25 YEARS IN BUSINESS

We are proud to invite you to join us to celebrate twenty-five years of serving patients in our local community.

We are busy planning an Open Day in November to commemorate this achievement and look forward to welcoming you to share this special occasion with us.

It has been quite a journey, from starting out with Sarah-Jane Hooper, the lead podiatrist and clinic director providing home visits in 1999, on a parttime basis as a newly qualified podiatrist. Over the years, team members joined the clinic, allowing more treatments to be provided, enabling us to help more people, with the most significant changes occurring when the business moved to its current location in High Street, March ten years ago. We work hard to continually review and improve our service, including this spring creating another treatment room, to now provide four rooms allowing us to help more people.

At our current site, we can treat patients in comfortable surroundings, with modern equipment and a fantastic team to provide outstanding professional service.

We understand that each patient's situation is unique, presenting its own set of challenges and triumphs. Our team strive to provide the highest quality service for those suffering from foot and ankle ailments, offering not just medical expertise but also empathy, compassion, and personalised care. We are keen to share the type of treatments that we offer so we can spread the word about the wide range of conditions that we can treat to help you regain comfort and happiness, we regularly see the profound impact podiatry can have on overall well-being.

We are proud to continue to play a vital role in promoting podiatric health awareness within the community and to other professional clinicians. We are excited to host future training courses and events for clinicians - we know that through educational workshops and courses we can encourage other clinicians to also increase their scope of practice which in turn allows them to work with a wider range of skills, to enable them to empower more individuals to take charge of their foot health and prevent common ailments, plus also gain improvement from more complex conditions.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the incredible team that has worked tirelessly behind the scenes, both past and present. From skilled podiatrists, foot health practitioners and sports massage therapists, to friendly receptionists and efficient administrators, each member of our staff has played a crucial role in shaping our clinic's legacy. Celebrating twenty-five years is a tribute to their hard work, dedication, and their passion in assisting our patients.

 Follow us on Facebook

As we raise a toast to twenty-five years of serving patients in our podiatry clinic, let us not only celebrate the past but also look towards the future with optimism and determination. We have exciting plans to develop and expand services that we provide, in our quest to provide additional modern, effective treatments. We strive to be a pillar of excellence in podiatric care for many years to come.

March Podiatry Practice Ltd

47-49 High Street, March PE15 9JJ

47-49 High Street, March PE15 9JJ Tel 01354 651200

www.marchpodiatry.co.uk

Opening hours: Mon 9am-7pm, Tues 9am-5pm, Weds 9am-7pm, Thurs 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-1pm

MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING

By Susan Rushworth

Iwill be holding a coffee morning on Saturday, October 12th at the March Indoor Bowls Club, Robingoodfellows Lane, March PE15 8HS; also the new home for Nik's Slimming World Groups, from 11am to 1pm.

Macmillan Cancer Support is very close to my heart. In 2007 I was diagnosed with breast cancer at Hinchingbrooke Hospital. My husband and I were grateful to have Lorraine Walker as our Macmillan Breast Care Nurse and she was our rock. Once I was well enough, I threw myself into raising money and awareness for Macmillan. In 2009 I was humbled to be made the Face of Macmillan for Cambridgeshire, because of all that I had done.

Sadly, once again I am looking to Macmillan for their support. Cancer doesn’t pick and choose with more younger people developing one form or another. There will be a raffle and competitions

with a TV, gift cards, wine and Champagne. There will be a prize for the most original cake. Unfortunately, it will be cash only except for JustGiving donations through the QR Code. 168 Trevor Dew will be demonstrating the game of Bowls and if anyone decides to be a member just chat to him. Nik Penn will be there to talk about Slimming World. It is possible to get a twelve-week referral which is just what I did to get back on track. I look forward to seeing you. Please if it is possible to donate gifts for the raffle they will be gratefully received.

Please contact me at susanrushworth@talktalk.net

MATTERS COMMUNITY

CALL FOR MORE FIREFIGHTERS

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is looking to recruit more on-call firefighters to help local communities by responding to emergencies.

On-call firefighters are a vital part of the fire and rescue service who respond to a wide range of incidents, from fighting fires and attending road traffic accidents to rescuing people and animals in need. They also respond to medical emergencies.

In addition to dealing with emergency incidents, on-call firefighters also support their communities by providing a range of safety advice helping people to keep safe in their homes.

The organisation says being an on-call firefighter has many benefits. As well as being paid an annual wage and for the time spent at incidents or training, there are also opportunities to develop first aid skills and 'Heavy Goods Vehicle' driving qualifications.

Find out more about becoming an on-call firefighter by visiting our website: www.cambsfire.gov.uk/oncall

NEW BUSINESS GRANTS ON OFFER

Entrepreneurs have a second chance to get a grant of up to £10,000 to help get their new business off the ground in Fenland.

The grants are available to people who have a plan but have not yet launched their business and to those who have been operating for less than twelve months. They come with a package of free support for start-up businesses under the Fenland Start-Up Business Support Programme.

Completing a simple expression of interest form is the first step to securing support from the programme. Grants of £1000 to £10,000 are available to cover up to 75% of a specified expenditure with the remaining 25% being funded by the business.

Applicants have until 11.59pm on Sunday, October 13th, to lodge an expression of interest.

For an informal chat and guidance about the grants available contact business@fenland.gov. uk or call (01354) 622506. More information and expression of interest forms can be found at: www.fenlandforbusiness.co.uk/Start-Up-Programme

CAFÉ BRIDGE CONTEST

The March Café Bridge 2024 event is to be held in various cafes, pubs and restaurants in March on Tuesday, October 8th.

The event is a duplicate pairs bridge game set up over multiple cafés and restaurants with pairs moving to a new venue after each round, guided by a movement card or roadbook, while board sets remain on their starting tables throughout.

Café bridge has a social component, in this case celebrating two hundred years of the RSPCA, or gaining custom for local businesses

For more details visit the website www.brianbridge.net/cafe/ or contact Dave Harper on 07852 178830.

George Frederick EDWARDS LAMB: PART 2

By Peter Wright on behalf of March & District Museum

George Lamb was last seen as he set off to cross Mepal Wash late on Friday, December 23rd, 1881.

On Tuesday, the alarm had been raised and a search began on Wednesday, December 28th. William Pearson unsuccessfully searched well beyond Welches Dam and he began searching with a pole the following day at about 8am. After an hour, about three hundred yards from the road and two chains (66ft) from the 'Old River', he found Lamb, face down in the bottom of a flooded dike and pulled him to the surface. There were no marks of violence but assistance was needed to get the body into the boat.

would have saved itself had it not been for this impediment.

An inquest was held on the Friday afternoon at the Red Lion, close to the scene of the tragedy, under coroner William Marshall. The jury viewed the body in a coffin in the kitchen. The speculation about the influence of drink was quickly squashed with everyone assuring the inquest that Lamb was perfectly sober. Large sheets of ice were known to be floating down the wash at the time. The jury were inclined to believe that after he and his horse got off the road, they would be plunged under the water. He would come bewildered and his efforts would soon be exhausted by the extreme cold. Lamb's father, Henry, commented that travellers should not be allowed to cross at night in high water. The coroner directed that no blame, neither legal nor moral, should be attached to the toll keeper. It was not his duty to stop or warn people. The jury, directed by the coroner, passed a verdict of 'Accidentally Drowned'.

A girl named Brown reported that she had seen something like a large dog in the water on Christmas Day. The pony was eventually found on Saturday, December 31st about two-and-ahalf miles along the wash from the road, close to the side of the bank. Its forelegs were entangled in its reins and it was supposed that the pony

On Tuesday, January 3rd, 1882, Lamb was given a military funeral. The Rifle Corps, of which Lamb had been a member, paraded at 1pm at the Drill Hall under the command of Captain Elliott. They then marched almost to Estopher House. They waited the arrival of the hearse and, on its approach, presented arms and took position in front of the band which had preceded the hearse. The mourning coach, with Lamb's father and sevenyear-old brother Harry, followed the hearse. The band played 'The Dead March in Saul' by Handel and the procession moved off to Station Road cemetery gates where the escort stood at ease while the funeral passed through to the Mortuary Chapel. The burial service was conducted by Rev Edward Wells, Rector of St John's and Chaplin of the battalion. The coffin was carried to the grave on the shoulders of eight volunteers, draped by a Union Jack on which had been placed George's helmet, belt and bayonet. At the conclusion of the funeral, a firing party of thirteen men under the command of Sergeant Aveling fired three volleys from the graveside, interspersed by the band playing the well-known hymn 'Adeste Fideles' (Oh, Come all ye Faithful).

Before the coffin was interred, several wreaths and a handsome cross were placed upon it. The Corps. wore crepe armlets and the drums were muffled. An immense concourse of people were present and all seemed deeply moved by the solemn and impressive service they had witnessed.

Photo: A Henry Amos picture of section of the March Volunteer Rifle Corps taken at the turn of the century

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

• Free hearing tests

• State of the art rechargeable hearing aids which are compatible with all mobile phones

• Eﬀective painless wax removal

• Noise protection

You can visit us at one of our local clinics:

St Ives Practice

13 The Broadway St Ives PE27 5BX

Tel: (01480) 300955

Wisbech Practice 31 High Street

Wisbech PE13 1DE

Tel: (01945) 466386

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

Email: info@clearerhearing.co.uk

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

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 for the last 7 years, has been rated as 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

What is an NHS Health Check?

An NHS Health Check is a free check-up delivered by health professionals for adults aged forty to seventy-four to help lower the risk of developing serious health conditions. They are designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and dementia.

What happens at an NHS Health Check?

You’ll be asked some lifestyle questions, and a health professional will do some simple tests. During the twenty-thirty-minute session, they will check your blood pressure, height, weight, BMI (a measure of whether you are a healthy weight), cholesterol and hbA1C (diabetes).

Who can have an NHS Health Check?

• If you’re aged forty to seventy-four and live in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

• If you haven’t had a Health Check in the last five years

• If you don’t have any pre-existing health conditions such as the following: Stroke, Diabetes, Kidney disease, A heart condition including diagnosed high blood pressure, High cholesterol

Arrange your NHS Health Check today

To book your NHS Health Check or discuss your eligibility, please call 0333 005 0093 or text healthyu to 60777. There are no charges to call or text.

Specialists offer the following repair services

Loose dentures may damage gums or the underlying bone structure and are also more prone to breakage. Re-lining your denture will re-stablish a good fit.

Your dentures should be inspected annually along with a checkup on your oral health, or more frequently if necessary.

162606

• Do you have heel pain but are unsure what to do or who to ask?

• Does your heel pain make walking and daily activities hard?

• Have you been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, or Achilles tendonitis?

• Do you just want to get back to normal and doing what you love?

If you‘re struggling with

and are not sure what to do or who to ask then scan the QR code opposite or give us a call

Toni Wilkes Acupuncture

BSc (Hons), LicAc, MBAcC

We can help! There are several great ways to find out about local opportunities. Firstly, take a look at the dedicated website, www.volunteercambs.org.uk where you will find lots of great volunteer roles. Simply put in your postcode and you will see opportunities close to your location.

Another way of finding out what’s available, is to come to one of the Volunteer Cambs coffee mornings – these are informal events where you can talk to Rima or Sarah who will help match you with what you are looking for. The coffee mornings are held every month.

In March they are at March Library on the third Wednesday of the month, 10am to 12pm.

In Wisbech they are at the Trinity Methodist Church on the third Thursday of the month, 10am to 12pm.

In Chatteris they at Chatteris Library on the third Monday of the month, 10am to 12pm.

And in Whittlesey they are at Whittlesey Library on the third Friday of the month, 10am to 12pm.

We meet between 10:00am and 12:00pm at:

Chatteris Library

Every 3rd Monday of the month

March Library

Every 3rd Wednesday of the month

You are welcome to attend any of these – it doesn’t matter where you live! Volunteering is a great way to engage with people, meet new friends, gain new skills, help your local community and simply enjoy yourself! There is a wide range of opportunities available, from working with animals, to helping with children’s activities, be-friending, and supporting older people and those with disabilities, helping to support events, fundraising, gardening and more – something for everyone, including adults, young people or even family volunteering.

So, if you’ve ever wondered about volunteering, pop along for a cuppa and a chat – the organisers look forward to seeing you there!

For further information contact Rima at rima@cambridgecvs.org.uk or call her on 07709 741962 and don’t forget to visit www.volunteercambs.org.uk

F E N L A N D

V O L U N T E E R

B L E N D

Pop along to our friendly group to chat about volunteering in your local community!

Wisbech - Trinity Methodist Church Cafe

Every 3rd Thursday of the month

Whittlesey Library

Every 3rd Friday of the month

Refreshments provided

For more information

Call: 07709 741962

Email: rima@cambridgecvs.org.uk

We look forward to welcoming you!

volunteercambs.org.uk

SUN-THURSDAY MEAL DEAL

£12.95pp

(Starter, Main, Sharing Side, Rice & Naan)

EVERY SUNDAY: LUNCH - 50% OFF (Eat-in or Takeaway) BETWEEN 12 and 3pm 01354 657 732

OPENING HOURS

MONDAY-THURSDAY 5.30pm-10pm

FRIDAY & SATURDAY 5pm-10.30pm

SUNDAY 5.30pm-10pm

GER PRESENTS

Sports & Social Club

GER SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB

What’s Coming Up

JOIN US FOR WEDNESDAY LUNCHES

Served from 12 noon to 2pm

SATURDAY 6th OCTOBER

A NIGHT OF MELODY & COMEDY with Annette Curtains & Big Taystee – Drag Night. Members £12, non-members £14. 8pm start

FRIDAY 11th OCTOBER

FILM NIGHT: BLITHE SPIRIT

Starring Dan Fisher, Judy Dench, Isla Fisher and Emilia Fox. FREE entry, bar meals available. Film starts 8pm – all welcome

18th OCTOBER: MUSIC NIGHT WITH THE HALEY BROTHERS

If you love rock and pop, you will love these two guys! Members £5, non-members £6. Club opens at 7pm

SUNDAY 20th OCTOBER

TRADITIONAL SUNDAY CARVERY

Traditional carvery followed by a choice of desserts with tea or coﬀee. £16 per person. All welcome – booking essential

SUNDAY 27th OCTOBER: PINK AFTERNOON TEA with Carla Gray in aid of Peterborough Breast Care Unit. Tickets £12. A great afternoon for a great charity.

FRIDAY 1st NOVEMBER: BINGO NIGHT

Eyes down at 7.30pm. Cash prizes and raﬄe – all welcome

SUNDAY 3rd NOVEMBER: WINTER QUIZ

The longest running quiz in March – over 30 years! Teams of 4 (max), £2 per player, 7.30pm start and if you can’t get enough of quizzes...

EVERY THURSDAY: FREE PUB QUIZ NIGHT

7.30pm start, FREE entry, all welcome. No limit on team size

NEW: CHESS CLUB

Meets every monday from 7.30pm. All abilities welcome –why not come and have a game?

YOU A DOMINOES PLAYER?

We hold a lunchtime dominoes session on the ﬁrst and third Monday of the month. 12 noon start. Come and have a game of ﬁves and threes – it’s a great way to get out and meet people!

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? We have very limited availability for private bookings. For more information about this or any of our events, please contact the club.

Featuring snooker and two pool tables, a big screen TV and PLUS TWO NEW DARTBOARDS! The games room can be accessed by members from 9am. Why not come along and have a look?

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.

Wisbech and District Flower Club: See beautiful flower arrangements being made by local and national demonstrators. Meets every 3rd Monday of the month at St Peters Hall, Wisbech. For more information, call 07949 443251.

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 Lions Club: Meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm in the FACT Community Room at Martin Avenue. 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.

March Triathlon Club: Meets every Thursday 8-9pm for swim training at the George Campbell Leisure Centre. All abilities welcome. For more information, please contact Mary-Anne Short via email at shortbyname@gmail.com

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 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

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

March Marlins Swimming Club: We swim every week night and can offer membership to swimmers of all ages and abilities from stage eight to masters. We are a friendly, competitive swimming club. Contact us for a free trial session at swimatmarlins@gmail.com

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 Rifle Club: meets at the indoor range, Upwell Road, March, every Tuesday evening from 7pm-9pm to shoot 0.22LR target rifles. Also potential for air rifle shooting. Please contact us prior to first attendance. Email info@marchrifle.club

The March Society: March’s civic society, involved in the promotion and conservation of March. Concerned with March geography, history and architecture. Our next event is a talk and presentation by Dr Will Fletcher – Eastern Region Team Leader for Historic England, on August 21st at 7pm. Entry is £2 members, £3 visitors. For more information, visit www.themarchsociety.chessck.co.uk

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 Bears Rugby Club: Be part of a thriving, supportive, and fun-loving community that celebrates rugby in all its forms. Reach out on social media: @marchbearsrugby on Facebook and Instagram or email info@marchbearsrufcorg.uk to learn more.

Do You. Dance?: Every Wednesday evening from 7.15pm8.15pm at St Wendreda's Church Hall, 11 Church Street, March PE15 9PY. A small disco with a DJ, where you can come and dance your socks off for an hour to popular music from all decades. It's exercise you don't know you're doing! Adults only. Entrance fee is £3 each. Please contact Tricia on 07772 626233 for more information.

The Green Party: Meets on the second Tuesday of each month at The Rookswood Club, 27 West End, March at 7.15pm and on Zoom quarterly. For more details, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FenlandNECAMBSGreens

March Wildlife Group & March and District Woodland Group: Meets regularly at 10am on the 1st Saturday of each month at Gault Wood for work parties. For details contact marybarrington123@gmail.com

www.wisbechtennisclub.org.uk

07549 263767

wtcmembership@hotmail.co.uk

Call, text or email for information about a range of membership options for individuals and family groups.

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.

Wisbech

Wisbech Residential Lettings 01945 428825

Wisbech Professional 01945 428830