Wisbech underground

Wisbech Underground Survey of the Cellars of The Rose and Crown Hotel Wisbech

TALEYNA FLETCHER, Townscape Heritage Officer, Fenland District Council

As part of the Wisbech High Street Project’s exciting Activity Plan, we promised to explore some of the locations beneath our feet with a project called “Wisbech Underground”. Although we would have liked to have opened up some of the vaults, cellars and tunnels in the town to visitors, unfortunately this wasn’t possible and with the arrival of coronavirus, it would have been even more challenging.

Therefore, we came up with a solution which allows people to visit some of these locations, virtually, by carrying out 3D surveys. Using the latest technology, you will be able to move around and explore these locations from the safety of your own home using a computer or mobile device. We have appointed Lincoln Conservation, part of the University of Lincoln, to carry out the surveys and undertake some interpretation of the locations by analysing the historic fabric.

We will also have photos and reports available which will reveal more about these fascinating areas that are an important part of the town’s heritage. Once we can meet up again, when restrictions are eventually eased, we will be able to offer demonstrations of the equipment used and give talks to discuss our findings.

These vaults, cellars, cells, drainage culverts and basements are all under private ownership and we have no

authority to insist on access. Therefore, we are incredibly grateful to the owners and occupiers who have allowed us access so far. We have so far undertaken surveys in three locations and the results will be made available on the project website once we have accessed more places, but in the meantime we can share some of the images from the first survey undertaken in August at The Rose and Crown Hotel on Market Place. Mark Gardiner of the University of Lincoln believes that the earliest phases of some areas of the cellars strongly resemble late medieval undercrofts. The vaulted undercroft is set at right-angles to the street and is entered directly and illuminated at the front with light wells. It is possible that it precedes the rear range of the hotel dated to the beginning of the seventeenth century. The use of early brick suggests a date from the late fifteenth century onwards and, in an area where there was no building stone, brick may have been used earlier than elsewhere. It is also interesting that photographs of ‘the Crypt’, a later medieval rib-vaulted undercroft located closely to the Rose and Crown, also appear to show a use of similar brick.

Do you know of any interesting underground locations in or around the High Street/Market Place? We would love to hear from you if you can help us with access. Please contact Taleyna Fletcher (tfletcher@fenland.gov.uk / 01354622210). The cost of the surveys and historical interpretation are all met by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

GIVE YOUR PUPPY A SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Tracey, the owner of Posher Paws, believes it’s never too young to start your dog’s grooming experience. That’s why Posher Paws offers a special Puppy Experience to get younger dogs used to the sounds, smells and sensations of getting a groom! She says: “We want to build up a positive relationship with your pup where it will feel safe and happy. The whole groom experience should be pleasurable and relaxing, but the earlier dogs are introduced the more comfortable they will be with the grooming salon. But don’t fear, whatever the age of the dog we will also make sure the experience is a pleasurable one.” That’s why Tracey, a fully qualified groomer, wanted to make the Posher Paws experience different when she set up last year. Dogs are never crated and only dogs from the same family are ever in the salon at the same time. All products used on them are of the very highest quality, are natural based and grooms are never rushed. Based in Leverington, Posher Paws offers a full range of grooming services from its modern purpose-built salon including full grooms, wash and brush, nails, and specialist teeth cleaning. Prices on enquiry. PET GROOMER We provide high quality grooming services in a hygienic, safe, modern salon. Providing the loving care your pet would receive at home.

CONTACT US: 07376 282898

info@posherpaws.co.uk | posherpaws.co.uk 37 Dowgate Road, Wisbech PE13 5DJ

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DIAMOND BYtE’S NEW HQ

Independent computer and laptop repair and maintenance specialist Diamond Byte Solutions has just moved into new offices in Algores Way, Wisbech.

Located at Evolution Business Centre 1st, it offers a no fix, no fee service to home users and small businesses in Wisbech, March and the surrounding areas.

Managing Director Philip Brooks said: “The new location is ideal for people to drop off their equipment. I’ve taken on new staff and can deal with all our customers’ needs at a great location.”

Diamond Byte Solutions prides itself on giving a personal service to its customers, who range from gamers to ‘older’ customers and businesses.

Philip added: “We get a lot of repeat custom. We pick up a lot of business by word of mouth and have established a good niche business that seems to appeal to a wide section of the public.

“I have been using computers myself for around thirty-five years and enjoy problem solving. When someone comes in with a computer problem, I’m happy if I can fix it. I like people and I like what I do and if I can solve their problems I am really pleased.”

Diamond Byte Solutions promises to: • Talk to you in plain English and avoid jargon • Give fair prices for its products, services, and expertise • Only sell what is right for you and never anything you don’t need • Keep you fully informed on work it is doing for you. If it encounters problems, staff will call you to discuss before incurring costs • Respect your confidentiality. It will never look through your files or back up or store data without your consent • Clearly identify itself when visiting you, working tidily and cleaning up thoroughly before departing • Welcome opportunities to help and advise you on issues or problems. If you have a complaint Philip says his staff will do everything, they reasonably can resolve issues to your satisfaction.

Diamond Byte Solutions

Algores Way, Evolution Business Centre 1st, Wisbech PE13 2TQ. Tel: (01945) 585201 Email: philip@diamondbyte.co.uk

HOW TO USE SYSTEM RESTORE

If you have a new Windows 10 computer, there are several settings you can change to get it set up exactly the way you want. System Restore is one of these settings and since it is a relatively important one, we are dedicating a whole article to provide instructions on how to go about turning it on.

So, what is System Restore? Whilst using your PC, Windows 10 periodically takes a snapshot of your system (apps, data, and the OS itself) which it saves onto your hard drive. If you develop a problem, for example, installing a third-party software or a new app which makes things go awry, System Restore will restore your Windows system to a previous instance, before the troubles began. This means that your data (documents, images, etc) remain intact, whereas any apps you’ve installed after that point in time are removed.

But you need to turn the feature on in the first place, otherwise Windows will have no saved versions of your system to restore.

To enable the System Restore feature, search for System Restore in the Windows 10 search box. You’ll be taken to the System Protection tab of the System Properties window. Click the Configure button.

Choose Turn on system protection and then use the Max Usage slider to determine how much of your hard drive to use to store Restore Points — five percent to ten percent is usually enough — and click OK. Windows 10 will now automatically start to create System Restore points. If, however, you need to create a Restore Point manually (just before you start playing around with any system settings, for example), return to this dialog box and click the Create… button.

If you do run into a problem when installing a new app, update or software and you want to return to a Restore Point, open the System Properties dialog box again, click the System Protection tab and then click the System Restore… button. You will have the option of choosing a Recommended Restore or choose a different Restore Point. If you choose the latter, you’ll be taken to a list of all the System Restore points you have on your machine. Select the one that you want, click the Scan for affected programs option if you want to check which apps will be removed, then click Next > Finish and confirm that you want to restore this backup.

Windows will now complete the process, reboot, and should be good to go.

DO REMEMBER when attempting any kind of restore or general system fix, it’s very important to

BACK UP YOUR DATA FIRST

For this and all our other articles, go to www.diamondbyte.co.uk

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Grants Available Now

By Ben Beech

If you’re in the agriculture sector then time is running out to apply for some of the £25m that has been made available in the third and final round of The Countryside Productivity Small Grants Scheme (CPSG). Whiting & Partners was founded over ninety years ago to meet the demands of the Fenland farming communities and, as our client portfolio has grown organically, today we continue that commitment through our Farming Group. We advised many of our farming clients on their applications for the first and second round of grants and now, in CPSG round three, more support is available with sums ranging from £3,000 - £12,000. The money can used to buy new, innovative equipment and technology in an attempt to help farmers improve efficiency whilst also benefiting the environment. Examples include livestock monitoring cameras to precision farming technology – which helps businesses save time and money and improve productivity. Last year, new additions were made to the list of items available that will help farmers to benefit the environment, such as equipment designed to help minimise soil compaction in fields, monitor ammonia levels in farm buildings, and increase machinery precision when applying slurry. Farmers who applied successfully in Round 1 and 2 but did not reach the £12,000 maximum, can apply for Round 3. However, the grant value of the Round 3 application must be £3,000 or more. Therefore, if they received more than £9,000 Grant in total from Round 1 and 2, they will not be eligible to apply under Round 3. If the grant value of the application is less than £3,000, it will be rejected. Farmers will have until midday on November 4 to make an application to the Rural Payments Agency. If you are interested and need help, then please contact the Whiting & Partners Wisbech office. Our Farming Group publishes a twice-yearly newsletter and copies are also available from the local office.