Discovering Wisbech issue 065, September 2023

Welcome to your September issue...

No sooner do we get to feel some welcome sun on our faces, (once it has stopped raining!) than we find ourselves entering autumn this month. At this rate, it will be Christmas before you can say, “Don’t mention the ‘C’ word!”

I seem to recall that September “back-to-school time” often meant the sunshine accompanying the pupils and teachers as the new term began. I hope your summer break went to plan and you were all able to make the most of it. I trust our little people made it a summer to remember for all parents, and stress levels didn’t get too high! Now … breathe!!!

As ever, I send big thanks to all our contributors, advertisers, and our editorial team, who continue their unwavering support to ensure that, each month, your “favourite freebie” magazine brings you the very best.

When I was younger, I was pretty much obsessed with sport. That was playing it and also watching it.

No sports were off my radar; I loved them all (except for badminton). However, as I got older the aches and pains caused by playing too much in the past meant an end to participation and I became a discerning spectator.

Throughout it all my first love was football. Not international football, but club football.

The summer may have been packed with some great spectacles, such as the Ashes, Wimbledon and the recent Ladies’ World Cup, but I have been eagerly awaiting the resumption of the English football season and in particular watching my favourites in action once again.

I will not tell you the name of the team I support for fear it will stop many of you reading the magazine, but months of anticipation quickly turned into frustration as the players collectively looked like they had never seen a round ball before.

Despite the missed tackles, chances and some seriously pedestrian play, my team won... oh the joy! It made me feel great to be alive...

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

4 ....... The Light Cinema

6 Diamond Byte

8 ....... Wisbech has Dungeons

9 ....... Oh Sew Caroline

12 March Podiatry

14 ..... The Fenland History Society

16 Steve Barclay

23 ..... Local Clubs and Groups

26 ..... Whitings LLP

29 Directory

30 ..... The Quiz

With thanks to: Diamond Byte, Whiting LLP, March Podiatry, Bridget Hunter, Steve Barclay, Chris Donald

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.

SENSATIONAL SEPTEMBER

We see the return of Denzel Washington in The Equalizer 3 on September 1st; also that day we will be heading to Paris for Passengers. Who doesn’t love a wedding? We see the return of the Portokalos family with My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 on the 8th, as well as our first horror of the month with The Nun 2. Poirot is on the case with A Haunting in Venice on the 15th. We have a great cast including Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham for Expendables 4 on September 22nd and if you don’t want action, the second horror of the month is It Lives Inside on the same day. The final horror of the month is… would you like to play a game? We have Saw X on September 29th.

National Theatre returns with some big names for the season of 2023/24. This month we will get the chance to see for the final time, Fleabag (Rerelease) on the 7th and Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake on September 13th while the Royal Opera brings us Das Rheingold on September 20th. Are you a fan of James Norton? He will be starring in A Little Life on September 28th.

We do baby-friendly showings every Wednesday, intended to give new parents a couple of hours to relax and watch a film with friends or loved ones; these screenings are designed to be kinder to babies as well. The sound is lowered, and the lights are only dimmed to makes baby's first cinema experience comfortable without distracting from the film for the parents.

MyLight Premiere: Love movies? Welcome to PREMIERE, The Light's scheme for frequent cinemagoers. For just £15.99 per month! After your first year with us you'll automatically be upgraded to our Premiere+ membership for free! This will get you: 15 percent off snacks and drinks, two free friends’ tickets and exclusive special offers.

Love Thursdays: In addition to our usual range of hotdogs, nachos, and popcorn combos, we offer fresh Italian stone-baked margherita or pepperoni pizzas - perfect to enjoy with your film. Check out our Love Thursday offer and treat yourself to an adult ticket and delicious nine” pizza for only £15 – T&C’s apply.

Cheers to the Cinema: Whether you’re on the hunt for your new favourite craft ale or the perfect wine to accompany your film, our bar has got you covered. We're proud to serve tea and coffee from speciality roasters Adams and Russell. With both caffeinated and caffeine-free options available, our fully trained baristas will make your drink just the way you like it. Don't forget all our food and drinks can be enjoyed in our screens too.

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

RETURN THIS COUPON BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 18TH-21ST 2023 TO REDEEM A FREE SMALL POPCORN WITH A VALID TICKET*

Cinema, Cromwell Road, Wisbech PE14 0RG

A Haunting in Venice Expendables 4 The Equalizer 3 My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3

Exclusive to The Light Cinema Wisbech. *Cannot be exchanged or upgraded for a larger size. T&C’s apply.

BT OR NOT BT, THAT IS THE QUESTION...

Over the last few weeks, several of my customers have called me after receiving calls and emails from people claiming to be from BT. In some instances, the caller/ email informed them that unless they took immediate action to pay up, their broadband would be disconnected in 48 hours. The call handler then got them to provide their full bank details in order to make the payment. One of the victims subsequently discovered that more than £3000 was taken out of her bank account (very luckily her bank did get her money back).

Other victims were told that BT had detected slow broadband speeds in their area and that in order to fix the problem, they were asked to log into their computer and download ‘specialist software’ to help improve the speed. This software, however, was in

fact malware or keylogging software that recorded every single keystroke they made, thus enabling the hackers to access their login details, passwords and sensitive financial information.

In order to make the calls look more genuine the displayed telephone number appeared to be local, however this is a tactic known as ‘number spoofing’. Using sophisticated technology, fraudsters can alter the phone number from which they are calling so that it matches the official telephone number of the victim’s telecoms provider or bank.

BT states on its website that ‘Fraudsters are known to make calls claiming to work for BT, when it’s actually a scam. They may ask you for personal information, want access to your computer and in some cases, ask for your bank details.

Don’t be fooled, this is fraud’. BT will never call you out of the blue and tell you that your service has been hacked, try to remotely take control of your device, tell you they’ve found a problem with your computer or ask you for an urgent payment and threaten to disconnect your service. For full details, we strongly advise that you check out their website: https://www. bt.com/help/security/scams.

If you have been the victim of one of these scams, one of the best things you can do is spread the word. However, embarrassed you might feel about it (and please don’t be embarrassed, these fraudsters use incredibly convincing tactics), warning everyone you know about it will really help in the long term. You should also report the fraud to Action Fraud and to BT itself, both of whom take these cases very seriously.

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

PHILIP AT DIAMOND BYTE

Interesting and Curious Facts of Yesteryear

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

WISBECH has DUNGEONS

Many, many years ago, as you most probably know, Wisbech was by the sea and both the Nene and Ouse rivers converged here. Strategically, this meant that Wisbech was an ideal place to have a castle. And so, in 1086, William the Conqueror had a stone castle built.

Nearly four hundred years later the castle was showing signs of wear so the then owner, the Bishop of Ely, had it pulled down and a brick built fortified mansion was constructed in its place. It was similar in appearance to Haddon Hall. A good number of Roman Catholics were imprisoned here and according to Father Weston, none were housed underground. But then in 1654, when Oliver Cromwell took control of the country, the Bishop’s Palace was pulled down and Thurloe’s mansion was built for the Rt Hon Sir John Thurloe. This didn’t last long because as soon as the monarchy returned with Charles II, the Bishop of Ely took back possession of the mansion. It was then later sold to Joseph Medworth, a builder, who pulled it down and built the present Regency Villa.

So, you say: ‘Where’s the dungeons, where’s the Castle?’ Actually, there hasn’t been a castle in Wisbech for more than five hundred years. So, no castle?

Well, there is one piece of the castle still left which can be viewed. This is because whenever a castle was built, the first thing they did was to dig a well. A castle under siege wouldn’t last long if they didn’t have a water supply, but as well as this, the mortar they used to build the castle was one part lime to three parts sand mixed with water. So, it was necessary to have a water supply from the commencement of building and the well is still there.

If you visit what they call ‘the vaults’ now, go in the entrance and take the third opening on the left, and at the end of the passage is the well. There is a brick surround most likely done in the 14th century when they built the Bishop’s Palace.

This is all that remains of the castle that the public can view. It would be interesting to lower a light and camera down the well to see how far down it goes, what kind of condition it is in and how far down do the bricks go.

The last question is what are these ‘vaults’? Well, they definitely weren’t from the castle as that was built from stone and the vaults are made of brick. The biggest clue is that the architect, Peter Mills, who designed Thurloe’s Mansion also designed Thorpe Hall in Peterborough which still exists. Both buildings looked very similar and both were built during the Commonwealth. Thorpe Hall measures 90’ by 74’ and the vaults in Wisbech measure 90’ by 77’. It is reasonable to deduce from this that the vaults were the foundations of Thurloe’s Mansion.

So, the big question is why did Medworth leave the foundations when he demolished the rest of Thurloe’s Mansion? Why did he put an entrance, a gate and a plaque to the vaults so people could go in and view them?

A reasonable guess would be if we look at the man. He came from a poor Wisbech family. Although he did very well, he never forgot his past and so, we have it on record that every year on his birthday he would invite all the town’s poorest children to tea at Thurloe’s Mansion. Did he let them climb to the top of the four-storey mansion and look out all over Wisbech? It’s the type of thing children would love. And when he pulled the mansion down, how would he amuse the children then?

Would it be something they had never seen? Would it be deep and underground? Dark and mysterious! Their imaginations could run wild.

Medworth constructed an entrance and gate leading into this underground maze and a plaque mentioning only the castle. So, did he want people to think that this had something to do with the castle rather than the bishop’s fortified Palace or Thurloe’s Mansion?

For up-to-date information on visiting google Wisbech Castle

The Well

A typical 17th century house showing the foundations (vaults)

Sound Advice From Clearer Hearing

There’s no need for people to suffer in silence if they feel they have hearing problems. That’s the message from Clearer Hearing Ltd which says people should treat their hearing just as they do their eye-sight.

Oh Sew Caroline, Whittlesey’s fabric, wool and haberdashery shop is fairly new; only 17 months old, but they aim to stay around for as long as you will have them!

Dressmaking fabrics, a good selection of knitting/crochet yarns, patterns and all sorts of haberdashery items – you will be surprised what this little shop has! Plus, they offer all kinds of courses to help everyone to learn new skills or just expand your knowledge.

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.”

New stock arrives regularly and they're always ready to hear suggestions for stock or courses. They hold regular sessions such as 'Saturday Sewcials' and 'Happy Hookers' – why not book a place on one and find out what it's all about?

“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.”

Saturday Sewcials

Bring your own project, sit and stitch, chat and have free tea/co ee with like-minded stitchers!

Fancy

Being

following

Oh Sew Caroline is open Tuesday to Friday, 9am2pm and 9am-4pm on a Saturday. Find them at High Causeway, Whittlesey PE7 1AE. For more information, email ohsewcaroline@hotmail.com or visit www.ohsewcaroline.co.uk or search Facebook and Instagram.

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.

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.

Fabric

Patterns Courses available

Wool

Saturday Sewcials

Bring your own project, sit and stitch, chat and have free tea/co ee with like-minded stitchers!

SEPTEMBER DATES: SAT 9th & 23rd

Please book in advance!

Fancy Being A Happy Hooker?

Join us on the following Tuesdays during September: 12th & 26th

Open Tuesday-Friday 9am-2pm Saturday 9am-4pm

High Causeway, Whittlesey PE7 1AE

Tel: 01733 202865 or 07726 370106

ohsewcaroline@hotmail.com

www.ohsewcaroline.co.uk

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

Sessions from £40 with block bookingavailablediscounts

Welcome to The Avenues Therapy Centre. I am a therapy centre in Wisbech, Cambs, offering affordable, personalised counselling, hypnotherapy and life coaching sessions in the comfort of my private practice.

Please feel free to browse my website to find out more about the counselling, hypnotherapy and life coaching that I offer, and if they are right for you. You are welcome to get in touch if you have any questions or fancy a chat about how I may be able to help you.

PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC COUNSELLING

I work from a pluralistic approach which means that I use various different counselling techniques.

Domestic Abuse

Sexual Abuse (Adult or childhood)

Trauma

Victims of Crime

Loss and Bereavement Relationships

Caring and Illness

Anxiety and Depression

LIST OF HYPNOTHERAPY SERVICES

Hypnotherapy can be incredibly helpful for numerous issues and conditions.

Anxiety Stress

Hypnobirthing

Fears & Phobias

Pain Management

Interview Nerves

Test Nerves

Simple Relaxation

Self Esteem

LIST OF LIFE COACHING SERVICES

Life Coaching is great for the following issues:

Work/Life Balance

Career Goals

Finding a Sense of Happiness

Relationships & Communications

Finding Your Purpose

jenna@theavenuestherapycentre.co.uk

Health & Fitness

Getting Motivated

Procrastination & Productivity

Increasing Your Confidence and more!…

Habit Stopping 07521

Specialists offer the following repair services

Dentures fracture for a reason. They may have become damaged, perhaps by dropping; they may simply be old and worn; or perhaps the denture is no longer suitable for purpose.

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. Icenidental@gmail.com

07932

MICROWAVE THERAPY FOR SKIN

MICROWAVE THERAPY FOR SKIN

MICROWAVE THERAPY FOR SKIN

MICROWAVE THERAPY FOR SKIN

Microwave energy is widely used in a number of medical fields to elevate tissue temperatures and create precise, localised cell destruction.

Microwave energy is widely used in a number of medical fields to elevate tissue temperatures and create precise, localised cell destruction.

Microwave energy is widely used in a number of medical fields to elevate tissue temperatures and create precise, localised cell destruction.

Microwave energy is widely used in a number of medical fields to elevate tissue temperatures and create precise, localised cell destruction.

Infected tissue can exist several millimetres below the surface and can often be difficult to treat using traditional methods, resulting in either untreated tissue or significant damage.

Infected tissue can exist several millimetres below the surface and can often be difficult to treat using traditional methods, resulting in either untreated tissue or significant damage.

Infected tissue can exist several millimetres below the surface and can often be difficult to treat using traditional methods, resulting in either untreated tissue or significant damage.

Infected tissue can exist several millimetres below the surface and can often be difficult to treat using traditional methods, resulting in either untreated tissue or significant damage.

Swift delivers a precise, highly controlled energy dose. As microwaves travel into the tissue, water molecules begin colliding and creating localised heat energy – quickly destroying all infected tissue within a predetermined depth.

Swift delivers a precise, highly controlled energy dose. As microwaves travel into the tissue, water molecules begin colliding and creating localised heat energy – quickly destroying all infected tissue within a predetermined depth.

Swift delivers a precise, highly controlled energy dose. As microwaves travel into the tissue, water molecules begin colliding and creating localised heat energy – quickly destroying all infected tissue within a predetermined depth.

Swift delivers a precise, highly controlled energy dose. As microwaves travel into the tissue, water molecules begin colliding and creating localised heat energy – quickly destroying all infected tissue within a predetermined depth.

In just seconds the treatment is complete, leaving the body to absorb and replace the treated tissue.

In just seconds the treatment is complete, leaving the body to absorb and replace the treated tissue.

In just seconds the treatment is complete, leaving the body to absorb and replace the treated tissue.

In just seconds the treatment is complete, leaving the body to absorb and replace the treated tissue.

For more information visit www.treatwithswift.com

For more information visit www.treatwithswift.com

For more information visit www.treatwithswift.com

For more information visit www.treatwithswift.com

MRK25, Issue 2

MRK25, Issue 2

www.marchpodiatry.co.ukwww.marchpodiatry.co.uk

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

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

FENLAND FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY

By Bridget Hunter

Merchant Navy Day is held on September 3rd and sees Red Ensigns flown to honour and remember the sacrifices of the, often forgotten and invisible, but very hard-working, Merchant Navy seafarers. Anyone can join in by flying or displaying a flag.

The Red Ensign (which is affectionately known as the Red Duster) started as a 17th century British ensign flown by the Royal Navy to identify the nationality of the vessel. It became specifically used by British merchantmen to be flown as the civil ensign of the British merchant fleet.

The annual ‘Fly the Red Ensign’ campaign started in 2015 to highlight the UK’s dependence on merchant seafarers who are responsible for more than ninety percent of the UK’s imports. Wisbech has a long history of seafaring, having been a port since Anglo-Saxon times. It is Cambridgeshire’s only link with the sea and has had many trading links to the Baltic over the centuries. Do you have seafaring or waterways ancestors? You can find information at The National Archives (www.nationalarchives. gov.uk)

Our MONTHLY MEETINGS are held in Wisbech Library from 7pm-9pm on the FOURTH Thursday of the month BUT no meeting in August or December. Everyone welcome. Members’ free, visitors a £2 donation. Our next meeting is in Wisbech Library on September 28th and features a talk about the Wisbech pubs of the past, with so many interesting events hidden behind those doors. Meeting on October 26th our speaker will be Richard HOLT on apprenticeship records.

COMPUTER RESEARCH SESSIONS continue every month. We hold two a month. Our first monthly research session is in Wisbech Library on the FIRST TUESDAY of each month from 10am-12noon. Our eight researchers help visitors getting started with their research or help them continue if struck with what we call a ‘brick-wall', plus show 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 visitors to 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.

EVENTS - our team are preparing a display for Remembrance Weekend, followed by a very interesting display about the origins of Christmas traditions. Ready for the Christmas event in churches etc they are available to attend events with a display to match your theme and add interest to your event.

OUR SPEAKERS are available to attend groups and clubs to give talks in the local area. They will be attending the Pinchbeck U3A meeting in Surfleet. Also, the Wisbech Stroke Club.

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 & Downs of Being a Magistrate’, a real-life experience; and ‘The Sad Tale of The Blacksmiths Family’, the story of a great, great grandfather.

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

TALENT SPOTTING IN FENLAND

By Steve Barclay MP

September is always the ‘back to school’ season and the month we turn from any family holidays and face into the autumn ahead.

With Parliament in recess, it has also been an opportunity for me to spend more time in the constituency with fascinating visits to local businesses. I often reflect on the local talent and advanced skills we have in our area and one example was on my visit to Cobra Engineering in Wisbech which specialises in the design, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of stainless steel and carbon steel fabrications and pipework for engineering projects across a variety of industry sectors. It was great to hear about projects Cobra has been working on with other local firms such as Anglian Water and Lamb Weston. I am always proud of the number and quality of businesses we have in the constituency, many of which have been successfully operating for decades.

Throughout my time as a local MP, I have worked to address the issue of homelessness, so it was a pleasure to officially open the nine-bedroom Ferry Project accommodation at Octavia View called Destiny Haven with John Heathorn. An inspiration to all who need to use the facility, John was once on the streets of Wisbech but with the help of the Ferry Project and Keith Smith he turned his life round and is now night services and hub manager. His energy and commitment together with the new facilities will make a huge difference to helping people locally when they are most in need.

It was also good to see work has started on the former Cook’s butchers site in Wisbech High Street, which has been an eyesore for decades. Redevelopment into a ground-floor shop with flats above is due to take about eighteen months with above-ground works unlikely to be visible until the end of the year. This has been a long time coming but it will mark a significant milestone in the redevelopment of the High Street, which is essential if we are to make the most of the historic town centre to encourage a vibrant and economically successful high street for residents and visitors alike. It’s excellent news that the College of West Anglia will receive specialist support from The Open University to develop the number of higher

education courses it is able to offer. The support, funded by the Department of Education and the Office for Students, enables the Open University to work in partnership with the college to put on a wider range of advanced technical courses, linked to local employer requirements. Already there are 330 Open University students in the constituency and this provides an alternative choice, especially for those who may not have the traditional entry requirements, as well as supporting driving skills levels higher to grow the local economy.

I’m looking forward to seeing the creative talents of the local community when the winners of an art competition celebrating Fenland’s historic railway line go on display. The art competition is open to all, with categories for children aged five and up to professional artists, with winning work displayed online and at railway stations, venues and exhibitions along the Hereward line as part of its ten-year anniversary celebrations. Find out more at https://herewardcrp.org/art-competition Finally, I’m encouraged to see the great work that has been done through the Safer Streets Fund will continue with Cambridgeshire getting another £1.4 million across eighteen months in the fifth round of funding. This will focus on targeting neighbourhood crime, violence against women and girls and anti-social behaviour. Since its launch in 2020, Cambridgeshire has received more than £2 million from the Safer Streets Fund, funding projects within the constituency and other areas across the county. This additional investment in public safety is a welcome addition which will be put to good use here in Cambridgeshire.

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

Officially opening 'Destiny Haven' with John Heatham –the new Ferry Project accommodation at Octavia View

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.

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

Fenland Archaeological Society (FenArch) Monthly talks and meetings at The Secret Garden, Mile Tree Lane, PE13 4TR Facebook https://m.facebook.com/FenArch/ Website https://www.fenarch.org.uk

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

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

Penalties and Points Based Systems

Scott Bishop

On 1st January 2023, HM Revenue & Customs brought in a new penalty regime in respect of late filing of VAT returns and late payment of the associated VAT liability.

The new penalty regime is based on a points system, for each VAT return you submit late you receive one point. If you reach the points threshold you will receive a VAT penalty of £200 for every return submitted late while you are still at the threshold.

Most businesses submit their VAT returns on a quarterly basis and have a points threshold of 4 points (it is 5 points for monthly returns). This means that quarterly submitters will receive a penalty on the fourth time they submit a return late, and every subsequent occasion they make a late filing until the points are reset. The points will only reset after 4 consecutive returns have been filed on time and for monthly returns it is reset after 6 on time filings.

You should therefore be aware that even if you only submit one or two returns late per year the points threshold may never reset, and a penalty will be applied each time a late filing is made. When it comes to VAT, points make penalties!

In respect of VAT payments, with interest rates on the rise, those that pay their

VAT liabilities late should be aware of the consequences – interest will be charged at 2.5% above the base rate daily from when the VAT payment was due. At the time of writing the interest charged will therefore be 7.75%.

In addition to the interest charge, after 15 days a 2% late payment penalty (based on the amount outstanding) will be applied, which rises to 4% if the amount is still outstanding after 31 days. From day 31 there is also a further penalty charged at 4% per annum, calculated daily.

It is easy to see how these penalties and interest will soon add up to significant amounts.

For those struggling to make their VAT payments on time, HMRC have recently set up a ‘self-serve’ Time to Pay Arrangement system and we would urge businesses to take advantage of this where eligible.

For more information or advice contact your local Whitings LLP office today.

Information that features in this article is correct at the time of writing.

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Thurlow Nunn Wisbech

Cromwell Road, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE14 0RG

01945 561496

www.thurlownunn.co.uk

Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/ km). Vauxhall range: Urban: 12.7 (22.3) – 74.3 (3.8), Extra-urban: 23.9 (11.8) – 91.1 (3.1), Combined: 18.0 (15.7) – 85.6(3.3).

CO2 emissions: 373 – 88g/km). Thurlow Nunn Ltd is a credit broker and not a lender. *Finance subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Guarantee/indemnity may be required. 18+. You will not own the vehicle until all repayments have been made. Finance provided by Vauxhall Finance, CF15 7YT. Offer available on new Vauxhall ordered and registered by 04/07/2023. ^Offers shown are applicable to Partners Associates.

Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/ km). Vauxhall range: Urban: 12.7 (22.3) – 74.3 (3.8), Extra-urban: 23.9 (11.8) – 91.1 (3.1), Combined: 18.0 (15.7) – 85.6(3.3). CO2 emissions: 373 – 88g/km). Thurlow Nunn Ltd is a credit broker and not a lender. *Finance subject to status. Terms and conditions apply.