Discovering Wisbech issue 062, June 2023

Welcome to your June issue...

Well, what an amazing spectacular the coronation of King Charles III turned out to be, and how fabulous to see of our local communities making such an effort to become involved in all the various events that were taking place over the long weekend. Whenever a community tries hard to offer the opportunity for people to come together and celebrate, it is always so rewarding when it is a success.

Hopefully, the good folk of Bourne and the local area will make a big effort to support those hard-working volunteers in both the Bourne Round Table with their ‘Bourne Festival’ on the weekend of June 2nd to June 4th, and in the Bourne Events Team whose ‘Picnic in the Park’ and Classic Car Show will follow on Sunday June 18th. Huge thanks in advance to you all.

A reminder to you all that June 18th also happens to be Father’s Day, so love and best wishes go to my dad, Bill; father-in-law, Rich; and my husband, Chris.

Like most people, I have an early morning routine. I get up early - usually before 5am - check my work emails and news of the day and after catching up on what I missed on the previous night’s TV, take the family dog for a long walk.

However, my daily habits have been added to recently. Now, one of my first tasks is to check the garden for intruders. Not of the human variety I hasten to add, these are far more annoying, yes snails.

The greedy gastropods have taken a shine to the new plants my wife has placed in pots throughout the garden, sneaking in under cover of darkness from the allotments behind and munching through the new green arrivals.

Each morning I examine their favourite foods and when discovering one despatch it to where it belongs... over the back fence.

We have taken various humane actions in a bid to curtail their night-time feasts but to no avail, the latest being trays of German beer which they have studiously avoided although it did attract two of their slug cousins.

If they do not stop their wanton destruction, the gloves will come off and I will go for a more severe and possibly fatal solution... they have been warned!

Account Manager

Paula Kirtland: 07903 776211

marketing.discoveringmagazines@gmail.com

Publisher and Sales Claire Saberton

Sales Sally Anne Davis: 07737026594

Ops Director Andy Armstrong

Editor Andy Hurst: editor.march@discoveringmagazines.co.uk

Accounts Sarah Brooks: 07564 966452 accounts@discoveringmagazines.co.uk

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

Discovering Wisbech 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.

There are so many jobs to do in the vegetable garden in June – planting, harvesting, watering, weeding – it’s a good job that the nights are lighter and hopefully the weather is more conducive to being outdoors. Not only do the plants enjoy the warmer weather, so do the weeds!

Regular hoeing, even if you can’t see any weeds, should be carried out so, when you sow, allow enough space between rows for a hoe. You can also spread mulches or use lightproof membrane to prevent moisture loss in dry weather.

Bugs can be devastating to some crops. Try using water-in nematodes or food-grade diatomaceous earth which is good for slugs and other pests as it dehydrates them. Have a look at How to Use Diatomaceous Earth for Organic Pest Control in the Garden (soilseedandgarden.com) and there’s plenty of information re nematodes and where to purchase them.

As the month progresses, thinning and planting out to final positions will start to overtake sowing as the main activity, as this month offers the last opportunity to sow many seeds. However, you can continue to sow quick growing salad crops every few weeks for a continuous supply. Utilise space between slower growing crops to maximise your use of growing space. If the weather is dry, then water your seed drills well before sowing – this way the young plants will develop a good root system.

It is important to water crops regularly, with a good soaking rather than a little every now and then. If you neglect watering, crops become stressed and will bolt.

Other Jobs in June:

• Plant out vegetables that you have grown from seed, but make sure you harden them off before planting out in their final position.

• Sweetcorn can be planted out and, as it is self-pollinating, it is better sown closely in a block. Mark out a square or rectangle and plant at about 35-40cm (14-18inches) apart in each direction.

• Earth up potatoes and, towards the end of the month, harvest earlies.

• Protect strawberries by mulching around them with straw to keep mud splashes off and keep birds off your ripening strawberry crop by covering your plants with netting.

• Cut down broad beans just above the surface and use for compost but leave the roots in the ground as a useful source of nitrogen.

• Feed tomatoes with a high potash feed.

• Once you are sure that frosts are over, you can plant out the more tender crops such as aubergines, peppers, chillies, courgettes, marrows and squashes.

• Succession sow beetroot, salad crops, and carrots.

• Sew Florence fennel. Traditionally Florence fennel is sown after the longest day, 21st June, as it is less likely to bolt – sowing in succession is a good idea.

• Brussels sprouts, leeks, sprouting broccoli and the last of the summer, autumn, and red cabbages and the first of winter cabbages can also be planted.

Happy planting!

The business officially opened in May 2019. Tom Westbrook, the man behind the company, had more than twenty-five years’ experience in the trade before embarking on this new challenge.

Tom explains: “I’ve always dreamed of running my own business and still to this day feel overwhelmed by the support received from local customers.”

Tom loves running his own business and especially enjoys meeting people and helping with any job big or small. From repairing draughty letter boxes, changing locks, hinges, and glass to replacing a house full of windows or fitting a stylish new door he is always happy to provide a free no obligation quote.

Tom has always been a big believer in repairing wherever possible. Often to the surprise of many customers, Tom can complete lots of different aspects of repair work, saving them the expense of buying new.

Tom and his wife Suzanne are very grateful to the customers that have supported their growing business over the last two-and-a-half years. They are looking to the future and excited about what the future holds for the developing business.

If you would like further information about how Westbrook Window Repairs can help please call them on 01354 653445 and follow them on Facebook.

UK Tax Explained

Scott Bishop

Our UK tax system is complicated and failure to meet certain rules can lead to unexpected and unpleasant consequences

Income Tax - if either parent has taxable earnings over £50k - after personal pension contributions – the entitlement to Child Benefit is reduced. Higher-rate income tax starts at around the same income threshold. For those who have received child benefit and now have to repay all or part, this can result in portions of income between £50k and £60k being taxed different rates.

Most business owners will be aware that if they die holding shares in the family trading company, they will probably not pay Inheritance Tax on this value in their estate as their Executors will claim Business Property Relief. However, if the business is sold, exchanging these shares for cash or a deferred consideration could potentially expose the full amount to 40% on death, in addition to any Capital Gains Tax paid at the time of the sale.

Instead of paying their Corporation Tax 9-months after the year end, limited companies with taxable profits over £1.5m pay in quarterly instalments, two even fall before the end of the year in question. The number of associated companies under common control dictates the size-threshold. So, a company in a simple group which has a particularly good year can easily find itself falling into an unfamiliar niche.

ATED is an annual tax payable mainly by companies that own UK residential property valued at more than £500,000. An ATED return needs to be submitted to HMRC within 30-days for purchases or 90days for new-builds and conversions. Missing the deadline is met by a combination of harsh fixed and daily penalties.

If you have any concerns then get in touch through our Wisbech office. We will explain the tax consequences and advise on any mitigation steps you might wish to consider.

Information on which this article is based is correct at the time of publishing. Any updates are available on our website: whitingsllp.co.uk

FENLAND FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY

By Bridget Hunter

Recently our Family History Federation sent us a notice which I thought said a lot about local family history societies. I quote, ‘Join a Local Family History Society Today. Discover your Ancestors and Save Money with Local Help and Support. Join and Enjoy!’

It says everything about joining, except the fun you have sharing with other members and gaining from their knowledge, plus the sense of achievement when you find your family history. Your local society is the Fenland Family History Society which covers a lot of Fenland, including North Cambridgeshire, North West Norfolk and South East Lincolnshire.

Over the last twenty-two years, our members have recorded most gravestones and memorial inscriptions in the wide area. Plus, many of the church records and the many Fenland council burials ground records, all of which are available to anyone searching for family information in the Fenlands. Our members are willing to find and photograph graves for distant members.

Our MONTHLY MEETINGS. Held in Wisbech Library from 7pm-9pm. on the FOURTH Thursday of the month except August and December. Everyone welcome. Members’ free; Visitors – a £2 donation. This month's guest speaker on Thursday, June 22nd will be Sue PAUL on the Biography of Thomas BOWREY.

COMPUTER RESEARCH SESSIONS. Our research sessions have been praised by the Family History Federation. They are held twice a month. Our first monthly research session is in Wisbech Library on the FIRST TUESDAY of each month from 10am-12 noon. Our researchers are able to help visitors

with their family research and show them all the wonderful research resources available in the library. Our second session is on the SECOND MONDAY of each month. from 11am-2.30pm in the restaurant at Baytree Garden Centre in Hilgay near Downham Market. We offer help with family research to any visitors at the garden centre. Our team is also willing to attend local events as an added attraction. If Wi-Fi is available, we can offer family research to visitors.

OUR SPEAKERS are available to attend groups and clubs to give talks in the local area. In May they attended meetings in Whaplode Drove and Surfleet. We also attend many functions and events, including church festivals, fairs, shows and even civic occasions. We strive to provide a display stand to match the theme of the event. This gives an added attraction to any event, in addition to promoting family history research. If you would like us to attend one of your events, please call us.

Talks include: ‘The Fun of Family History’, about a long journey by land, air, and sea to find her roots; ‘My Naughty Great Aunt Eliza’, unravelling a story of lies and deceit; ’The Ups and Downs of Being a Magistrate’, a real-life experience; and ‘The Sad Tale of The Blacksmith's Family’, the story of a great, great grandfather; and ‘The Angels of St Clement's Church’, a tour and talk about the angels in the Outwell Church; ‘My great grandmother, Jane Davyes: a much married lady’; ‘My grandfather Fred Balmer, Borough Surveyor and Inspector of Nuisances of Appleby in Westmorland for 45 Years’; and ‘Wisbech Pageants 1929, 1949 and 1994.’

For further information on any of the above please phone me on (01945) 587723.

TOM’S VISION PROVES DOORWAY TO SUCCESS

Westbrook Window Repairs has just celebrated its fourth anniversary

The March business has enjoyed an excellent reputation since being launched by Tom Westbrook and his wife Suzanne in May 2019.

The company offers a wide range of services, carrying out work on: new windows and doors; misted windows; dropped doors; replacement locks and hinges; and cat and dog flaps.

Suzanne said: “We are over the moon at how the business has grown over the past four years. It was a dream to set up the business and we are very busy. After the COVID-19 lockdown, a lot of people started working at home and that helped keep us busy.

“I think one of the main reasons why we have been successful is that Tom continues to only carry out work that is necessary which helps to keep the price down to our customers. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us.”

Tom has more than thirty years’ experience in manufacturing, fitting and repairing windows and his company has more than twelve hundred followers on Facebook, receiving a number of recommendations including:

“Needed a fairly urgent repair carrying out to a window. Fantastic efficient service from Suzanne and Tom, thank you so much. Highly recommended.” and

“We have recently had new windows and doors fitted by Tom and his team. We are very pleased with the work that has been completed. Very nice guy; trustworthy and reliable. Will recommend to anyone.”

You can contact Westbrook Window Repairs for a free no obligation quote by ringing (01354) 653445 or 07949 457029. Email: westbrookwindowrepairs@gmail.com

S U N D A Y L U N C H

WENDY’S IS NOW OPEN IN WISBECH WITH 50 LUCKY CUSTOMERS RECEIVING ‘WE LOVE WISBECH’ T-SHIRTS

Wendy’s®, the iconic American hamburger brand, has opened its doors in Wisbech.

Wendy’s Wisbech is located in the Horsefair Shopping Centre at Unit 2B, Horsefair Shopping Centre, Wisbech, PE13 1AR.

The new restaurant’s official opening included a ribbon cutting ceremony by the Deputy Mayor Cllr Peter Human and Deputy Mayoress Mrs Janet Tanfield when the first fifty customers received exclusive ‘We Love Wisbech’ t-shirts’.

Wendy’s Wisbech will provide fans with the signature Wendy’s items they know and love across breakfast, lunch and dinner, including the Baconator®, Dave’s Single™, the Spicy Chicken Sandwich and of course the Frosty® dessert (in chocolate AND vanilla) – always serving the freshly prepared, quality food that Wendy’s is known for at affordable prices, while providing exceptional hospitality and friendly customer service.

The quality of the food was endorsed by Discovering Wisbech Publisher Claire Saberton and Account Manager Paula Kirtland who attended a soft launch of the branch.

Paula said: “We tried a wide selection of menu dishes at Wendy’s and can both report that they were extremely tasty!”

For those looking to enjoy their favourite Wendy’s items at home, Wisbech customers will be able to get them delivered straight to their door, with 'Just Eat' adding the Wendy’s Wisbech restaurant to the app in the coming weeks.

07549 263767

Sound Advice From Clearer Hearing

ALL AGES AND LEVELS WELCOME

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

Clearer

says people

hearing just as they do their eye-sight.

Jackie Mantle, manager of the company’s Wisbech and St Ives branches, said: “Most people have their eyes tested every year and they should treat their hearing the same.”

The company can help people deal with a host of hearing issues, including tinnitus and noise protection, but Jackie says the most common procedure they carry out is ear wax removal. She said: “Wax removal is definitely the most common problem we deal with. People tend to think that if their hearing worsens they may need a hearing aid, which due to technology today are small and unobtrusive, but invariably it’s because of a build-up of ear wax.

“People shouldn’t be afraid to come in and have their ears checked; they shouldn’t sit at home in silence. We are here to give advice and have many regular customers at our Wisbech clinic, many of whom have been with us for years with some coming from as far afield as north Norfolk.”

Established in 2002 and with a presence in Wisbech since 2008, Clearer Hearing is a family owned independent hearing healthcare company with team of qualified and registered hearing aid audiologists. The company’s comprehensive website –www.clearerhearing.co.uk – boasts a quick and easy hearing checker which provides a snapshot of your hearing ability to give an easy assessment and the opportunity of a priority booking should you require a full consultation.

Contact Clearer Heating Ltd at 31 High Street, Wisbech PE13 1DE. Tel: (01945) 466386; Email: info@clearerhearing.co.uk Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm.

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

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

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

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

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

Make a wish

Lyncroft resident Maureen surprised with tickets to meet Strictly Come Dancing star

Wellbeing co-ordinator Sarah Perkins from Lyncroft Care Home in Wisbech recently surprised resident Maureen, aged ninety, with tickets to see her favourite celebrity from the popular TV show Strictly Come Dancing at Peterborough’s Cresset Theatre.

Maureen’s love of Strictly Come Dancing became apparent to Sarah when she tuned in every night to watch and began filling her room with photos of her favourite dancer Giovanni Pernice. Luckily for Maureen, Sarah had a spare ticket to his upcoming show and knew just who to bring along.

Mel Cushen, customer relations manager at Lyncroft, said: “The tickets to meet and greet Giovanni were given to Sarah by a friend but knowing of Maureen’s love for Giovanni, she kindly gifted them to Maureen who jumped at the opportunity to make her wish come true!”

In preparation for the show, Sarah wanted Maureen to feel her best, so the pair enjoyed a shopping trip for a new outfit. Sarah made sure to book Maureen a special appointment at Lyncroft’s on-site hair salon for a pamper before heading off to the show. Sarah said: “The meet and greet took place first, and Maureen was thrilled to have ten minutes of Giovanni’s undivided attention. He was lovely, chatting with his arm around her the entire time. We took plenty of photos and were lucky to have Giovanni record a special message for Lyncroft! After the meet and greet, we headed into the bar for pre-show drinks and chatted with the other guests.

“Maureen loved the whole show and thought Giovanni’s singing and dancing were outstanding, she was talking about it for days before the event and still hasn’t stopped. It was a night she will never forget.”

To learn more about life at Lyncroft Care Home in Wisbech, please get in touch with Mel Cushen at mel.cushen@countrycourtcare. com or call 07563 022 290.

Scenes from Maureen’s surprise day out

Lyncroft Care Home

Our family, caring for yours

Lyncroft Care Home provides the kind of care we’d want all of our loved ones to receive. Our newly refurbished home is beautifully furnished, whilst retaining a warm family atmosphere that makes Lyncroft feel extra special. If you’re concerned about how your relative is coping and would like them to have more support, Lyncroft provides family-led care in a luxurious and homely environment.

• Fisherman’s Arms Pub

• Bistro Café

• Hair and pamper salon

• Tailored meaningful activities

• Daily Fine Dining

• Luxury en-suite bedrooms

For more information about life at Lyncroft Care Home contact Customer Relations Advisor Mel Cushen on 07563 022 290 or email mel.cushen@countrycourtcare.com

01945 475 229

81 Clarkson Avenue, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE13 2EA

www.countrycourtcare.com

TIPS TO KEEP YOUR DATA SECURE ON THE CLOUD

Internet cloud services, such as Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox and GoogleDrive, store your data on a server rather than on your computer’s hard drive, so you can access it from any internetenabled device anywhere in the world. Cloud providers store your files, photos and other documents to an online location, thus offering an alternative backup to conventional methods of file storage. But websites can get hacked and whilst it’s easy for us to blame corporations for poor security and hackers for maliciously attacking websites, there is often a third party at fault in these attacks: the users.

The following are some useful tips, which will help boost your own data’s security in addition to that offered by whichever internet cloud service provider you chose to use.

Keep Your Computer Virus-Free.

It is imperative that your computer is virus-free, otherwise you run the risk of revealing your cloud log-in details. Make sure your virus scanner and anti-malware software is up-to-date, and that you run your anti-virus scanner on a regular basis.

Read The User Guide

If you are not sure what cloud storage to choose, or if you have any questions as to how a cloud service works, read the user agreement of the service you are planning to sign up for, however boring you may think it is. Be aware that your cloud service provider must keep your data as safe and secure as they can. A good provider will be able to offer several secure back-ups of your files, all stored in different locations. If the service provider only has one storage location, or

if they reveal the exact physical whereabouts of their servers, their security may be compromised.

Be Serious About Passwords

So many people still do not take password security seriously. Did you know that ninety percent of all passwords can be cracked within seconds? Create STRONG passwords of at least eight characters with both uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.

Use An Encrypted Cloud Service. Some cloud services provide local encryption and decryption of your files as well as storage and backup. It means that the service takes care of both encrypting your files on your own computer and storing them safely on the cloud.

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

PHILIP AT DIAMOND BYTE

JUNE MOVIE GEMS

On June 2nd, the next chapter of the Oscar-winning SpiderVerse saga, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse arrives on our screens. Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) returns and after reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn’s friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must redefine what it means to be a hero so he can save the people he loves most.

An action-packed adventure for Transformers: Rise of the Beasts on June 8th will take audiences on a 1990s’ globetrotting adventure and introduce the Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons to the existing battle on Earth between Autobots and Decepticons. Travelling back in time on June 15th, we have The Flash when Barry (Ezra Miller) uses his superpowers to travel back in time to change the events of the past. But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod (Michael Shannon) has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no Superheroes to turn to. That is unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian... albeit not the one he’s looking for.

Experience the return of legendary hero, Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny on June 28th. Finding himself in a new era, approaching retirement, Indiana (Harrison Ford) wrestles with fitting into a world that seems to have outgrown him. But as the

tentacles of an all-too-familiar evil return in the form of an old rival, Indiana must don his hat and pick up his whip once more to make sure an ancient and powerful artifact doesn't fall into the wrong hands. Rewind: We are bringing Back to the Future to the big screen on June 6th. Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), a seventeen-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent thirty years into the past in a timetravelling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd). National Theatre: Passions run high in RO: Il Trovatore on June 13th, as Manrico and the Count di Luna compete for the affections of Leonora. Little do they know, Manrico’s mother Azucena has been keeping a terrible secret for decades. Soon a curse from the past will rise from the ashes with devastating implications for them all. Starring Ludovic Tézier and Jamie Barton, Adele Thomas’s energetic staging sets Verdi’s tale in a Hieronymus Bosch-inspired universe of medieval superstition.

The hilarious, award-winning play that inspired the BBC’s hit TV series, NTL: Fleabag was filmed live on stage in London’s West End in 2019. Written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag, Killing Eve) and directed by Vicky Jones, the one-woman show returns to the big screen from June 15th. Oversexed, emotionally unfiltered, selfobsessed, with family and friendships under strain and a guinea pig café struggling to keep afloat, Fleabag suddenly finds herself with nothing to lose. More blockbuster films coming your way include Elemental, Barbie, and Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One.

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

The Flash Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Indiana Jone and The Dial of Destiny

Your money is protected when you book your holiday with us

We understand that when it comes to paying money in advance for something such as travel, it’s so important that your money is properly protected. That’s why we are proud to be members of Protected Trust Services (PTS) who provide some of the best financial protection in the UK, giving us and our customers the confidence that their holiday money is fully protected.

What is Protected Trust Services?

PTS is a company that provides financial protection through an independent trust account and bespoke technology to protect your monies. This means, every time you book a holiday with us, your money only goes towards the arrangement of your holiday. It will be used to pay the suppliers, book the tickets, and will never be used for anything irrelevant to your booking. You can also call us at any time, ask where your money is, and we can give you an exact answer.

Being part of PTS, we take great pride in being able to offer the best and most trustworthy protection in travel. We can guarantee that when you book with us, you’ll receive the financial protection you deserve. Contact us today for a quote, we aim to beat any online or high street price.

For peace of mind, and to book your holiday with confidence, choose Holiday With Us.

We protect your money with Protected Trust Services. This means that all your hard earned money goes into a separate trust account and is only used for your booking.

Now just sit back & look forward to your trip with peace of mind

Interesting and Curious Facts of Yesteryear

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

e POLITICIAN and the MAN from WISBECH - part 2

Two men from different backgrounds who were to come together and change the lives of many.

The POLITICIAN was William Wilberforce and the MAN from WISBECH was Thomas Clarkson. But in 1788, it seemed all would be lost. Wilberforce went ill and was bedridden. Would he be ever well enough to stand in Parliament again? He was far too ill to present a bill abolishing slavery. Would all this hard work be in vain?

Thankfully, the MP and friend of Wilberforce, Pitt the Younger took on the task of ending slavery and more than one hundred petitions were presented to Parliament. Nothing like this had ever been seen before. Pitt had to put up with ridiculous arguments which were put forward with all seriousness.

“The slaves were well looked after; the plantation owners gave the slaves the happiest days of their life compared with the barbarities of Africa.” “Stories of cruelty were just fanatical fantasies.” “The slaves enjoyed the crossing on the sea.” “Slaves were stupid so didn’t mind being whipped!”

Pitt, after a great ordeal, managed to get a very watered-down bill through by two votes. This just limited the amount of slaves carried in a boat. A year later, and, miraculously, Wilberforce was back working. He had proved his doctor wrong. Most of it was due to him being prescribed opium, a medicine much used at that time and one that he would take for the rest of his life. In parliament he tried to get another bill through but his opponents managed to have the bill timed out.

Clarkson and Wilberforce continued to work together, sometimes for hours at a time. Wilberforce was well enough to deal with the Government provided he kept taking the opium but he relied on Clarkson to gather evidence.

When apart, Clarkson travelled thousands of miles finding more damning evidence, some so terrible and gruesome that it was hard to believe any man could do such things to a fellow man.

Wilberforce tried again, but there were more MPs in seats that relied on the money from slave trading than not. It was defeated 163 votes to eighty-eight. Although Parliament did not represent the general public, it didn’t mean that the public couldn’t change things so a new tactic was instigated. People stopped buying West Indian sugar which was mostly produced using slave labour. It is estimated that 300,000 people joined the boycott. As well as this, Josiah Wedgwood, founder of the Wedgwood pottery company, produced a plaque showing a slave pleading, Am I not a man and a brother? It sold in vast quantities. John Newton, who wrote the hymn "Amazing Grace", and who had been flogged seventyeight times himself, also pushed for the abolition of slavery. Clarkson produced a condensed book detailing all the evidence that showed how cruel and terrible the slave trade was. The many thousands of miles that Clarkson had done to get the evidence though were catching up on him and he too fell ill. He retired to the Lake District where his health gradually improved. Then, back to full health, he eventually got married at the age of thirty-six, and a year later, Wilberforce was well enough to get married too. They kept working, and, finally, after a twenty-year struggle, in 1833 slavery was abolished. Wilberforce died three days later. Clarkson lived for a further thirteen years.

Although William Wilberforce is remembered for abolishing slavery, he also helped to start the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, later to receive Royal patronage from Queen Victoria to become the RSPCA. It was the very first animal charity in the world and although many countries now have an animal charity, it is still the biggest. Together the two men managed something that one of them alone could not. They changed the lives of many. Sadly, slavery still exists. But in different forms.

Josiah Wedgwood - plaque

DIRECTORY

TREE SURGERY

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

• 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

Drove, Guyhirn, Wisbech

FUNERAL SERVICES

Independent Funeral Directors Our Family Helping Yours, Whenever and Wherever You Need Us

Hour Service Golden Charter Funeral Plans

LOCAL CLUBS AND GROUPS

Wisbech u3a is an organisation which aims to meet the social, recreational and creative needs of those no longer in full-time employment. We meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month in St Peter’s Church Hall, Wisbech at 2-30pm. We have lots to offer you so please come along and find out for yourself.

www.u3asites.org.uk/wisbech

Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum hold monthly talks at Wisbech Public Library. For further details, please see Facebook Friends of Wisbech and Fenland Museum, www.wisbechmuseum.org.uk or email: friendsofwisbechmuseum@ outlook.com

Fenland Archaeological Society (FenArch)

Monthly talks and meetings at The Secret Garden, Mile Tree Lane, PE13 4TR Facebook

E: peterfunerals@btconnect.com W: www.peterbarnesfunerals.co.uk

https://m.facebook.com/FenArch/ Website https://www.fenarch.org.uk

Wisbech Yoga Club

Meets at Trinity Methodist Church on Mondays 7pm-8.15pm and Wednesdays at Elm Primary School or Emneth Central Hall 7pm-8.15pm. For availability contact Peter on 07905 601585 or email: pabamullins206@ntlworld.com

Wisbech and District Flower Club

Meets every third Monday of the month at St Peter's Hall Wisbech from 7.30pm

Please call Yvonne on 01954 581360 for more information