Revised Issue 49-April 2016 - Website Version
Transcription
Revised Issue 49-April 2016 - Website Version
Manea Matters Issue No. 49 Your quarterly village magazine, Manea Matters is published four times a year by volunteers, in March, June, September and December and is delivered free of charge to around 1100 households in and around the Fenland village of Manea. April/May 2016 Convenient pull-out centre section with Village Events Diary and Local Information Sheet. Visit our website, www.maneaconnect.co.uk or scan the QR code with the QR AP on your smartphone to go straight to our website. REGULAR EVENTS CALENDAR CONTENTS Monday Regular Events Calendar Page 1 Contact us Page 1 From Our Chairman Page 2 Notice Board Pages 4, 5 & 6 Manea’s Action Plan Pages 7 - 10 Bus and Train Timetables Page 11 Be Safe From the Scammers Page 12 The Gardening Page Page 17 Manea Wildlife Page 19 Manea Surgery Page 21 Community Groups Pages 23 - 32 Manea Information Sheet Pages 26 & 29 Village Diary Pages 27 & 28 Church Notices Page 34 Manea People (History Feature) Pages 35, 36 Manea Parish Council` Page 54 Art Classes - Village Hall, 10.00am Walk & Talk - Village Hall, 2.00pm Manea Silver Band - Methodist Chapel, 6.30pm Bible Study/Fellowship - 1 Westfield Road, 8.00pm Tuesday Youth Club - Village Hall, 7.00pm Karate - Royal British Legion, 7.00pm Wednesday Community Navigators, Church Rooms, 11.00am Internet Club, Church Rooms, 9.30am to 12.00 Manea Dinners - Village Hall, 11.30am Brownies, Rainbows, Guides (Details, Alex: 688278) Thursday Mother/Toddler Group-Village Hall, Term time, 9.30am CONTACT US Methodist Jigsaw Group, 2.00pm to 4.00pm most Event/group submissions: Thursdays (see p.34) www.maneaconnect.co.uk Frameworks Dance Classes, Village Hall, 4.00pm to For information:- 01354 688344 (Editorial) 7.00pm 01354 680812 (Advertising & Accounts) Bingo - Royal British Legion, 7.00pm Spiritual Development, Village Hall Club Room, This magazine is published by Manea Connect 7.30pm to 10.00pm Committee, who are:Evening Gardening Club, (MSoG) - 7.00pm to 9.00pm (check with MsoG) Mark Buckton (Chairman), Les Herridge (Vice Chair), Bethy Booth (Secretary), Gloria Brown (Advertising & Friday Finance), Peter Townrow, Saffron Covill, Friday Craft Club, Methodist Chapel, 10am to 12.00 Mike Woodford. Over 60s Club - Royal British Legion, Fortnightly, 2.00pm (see p.31) Friends Bingo - Village Hall, 7.00pm Pearl Beeken, Sara Beeston, Leila Brookes, Belinda Carson, Tracey English, Dave Gash, Tere Gash, Penny Saturday Goude, Jane Handley, Sally Hookway, Lesley Kennedy, Live Music - Royal British Legion (RBL), 8.30pm Andy & Jen Maddams. Mick Martin, Alex Robinson, Roger Tolfrey, Janet Tweed, Jordan Tweed Sunday Editor & Designer Les Herridge Church services (Anglican & Methodist) ~ see p.34 Saffron Covill Manea Pioneer Spiritual Services, Village Hall Club Editor’s Assistant Website Bethy Booth, James Rice Room, from 10.00am Events Promoter Dianne Rowe .................................................................................. Disclaimer: Readers are reminded that Manea Connect Committee does not endorse any of the services or activities offered within this magazine. The editor reserves the right to amend submitted items at his discretion. ................................................................................... 1 Cover Photo:‘Relaxing Amid the Tranquil Surroundings of Manea Pit’ From Our (New) Chairman…… Moving I moved to Manea in 2005 and I recall the excitement of moving into our new house and anticipating starting a new life away from the hustle and bustle of Luton, in a place where there would be a real sense of community. Events Over the years I have also been privileged to be involved in many of the events put on by the Manea Connect Committee (the people who produce Manea Matters) and have always been bowled over by their imagination and enthusiasm for providing the community with something a little bit special. Manea Matters We were not disappointed. One of the first things we found when we moved in was a copy of Manea Matters, left for us by the previous occupants in a conspicuous place in the kitchen. I clearly remember looking through the booklet and thinking what a mine of information it was for somebody new to the village, full of stuff about what is going on, and useful phone numbers, addresses and contact details. Members of the Connect Committee have come and gone since its inception in 2004 but one thing remains constant: the commitment to live up to the ideal enshrined in the name of the committee - to connect the community, and all the people and social groups within it. Community When I was asked to take over as Chair of the Connect Committee I was very proud to accept. Every Chair has brought something new to the committee. I would like my contribution to be the strengthening of that connection between Manea Matters and the community by inviting your contributions and casting a greater spotlight on the people, groups and events that make Manea such a great place to live. Then we can say that Manea Matters is truly produced by the community, for the community. Mark, Chairman Since then every copy that has dropped through our letter box has continued to impress, and to be read, and substituted for the previous copy in the kitchen letter rack… just in case we need to find something locally. And From the Editor.…… Welcome We are happy to welcome Mark Buckton on to Manea Connect Committee. Mark takes over as Chairman of the committee, replacing Mick Martin, who recently left the committee after seven years of dedicated service to our community. Manea Matters We hope that you like our new layout, which we hope will make it a little easier to find the information that is important to you. Your Manea Matters We are moving our publication dates to March, June, September and December (see p.5), and we plan to Mark has a wealth of experience in include community-based features from you, serving the local community, not least as our readers: our village is all about the people a Fenland District Councillor. We look after all. So let us have your ideas, uplifting forward to working with him. local stories etc. Les, Editor 2 3 NOTICE BOARD R M ED O KEEP US INF lly keep you fu o t t n a w e W ate with nd up-to-d a d e m r o f in in ity groups n u m m o c e all th g e. d our villa n u o r a d n a ny s know of a Please let u of ew groups n r o s e g n cha a r e a wa r e . which you Read Manea Matters all in Go to:www.manea connect.co.u k Manea now has a First Responder scheme but more volunteers are ur needed to provide a go gently od level of cover. An ambulance can take 20 minutes or more to reach Manea. The atte of a First Responder ca ndance n literally make the diffe rence between life and providing assistance un death, til the ambulance arriv es. If you are 18 or ov have a car, you could be er and a First Responder, YOU could save a life. Full tra and all equipment is pr ini ng ovided, no minimum co mmitment is required, think how great it would and look on your CV. For more information or an informal chat, please contact the M Coordinator, Jason on anea 01354 688413 or, for an information pack, em steven.hammond@easta ail mb.nhs.uk 4 YOUR PHOTOS NOTICE BOARD LE….. NG PEOP Are you U O Y G CALLIN riting? flair for w udies or IT? a e v a h ia St D o yo u lish, Med g n E g in s t u dy ung ura g e yo o c n e o t keen hile atters is alents w Manea M o develop their t lage life. people t ting to vil u ib r t n o c ting icles rela t r a g in h ublis itted by onsider p ity, subm n u m We will c m o o und a ne a C in and ar g t o t he M in v li le op young pe he village. t t you migh a feature s? Who r fo a e pa s t u ve an id o If you ha it, why not run it po r t e r ’ t m b st’ or ‘re li a n like to su r u o r dding ‘j knows, a n only be good fo a c . yo ur CV re c a re e r your futu Our next issue of M anea Matters will be in June, and we plan to carry a Manea Gala photo on the front cover. Manea Matters is all about involving our community, so if yo u have an interestin g photo taken at a pr evious Manea Gala, we will consider putting it on our front cove r. Send entries direct to the editor at lesherridge@hotm ail.com to arrive no later than Friday 15 �� April. We cannot pay for any photo that we use, but you will en joy a warm glow of satisfaction at havin g served your community, and ca n bask in the glory of your brief moment of fame. YOUR MANEA MATTERS This magazine will in future be published in March, June, September and December each year. Deadline date for our June issue will be Friday 15�� April. The change, moving our publication dates back by one month, will have a number of benefits, including allowing more effective promotion of our annual Manea Gala, and ensuring that Christmas events are brought to the attention of residents at an appropriate time. nea Ma Regular contributors will receive an email reminder of approaching deadline dates approximately two weeks before each deadline, as at present. Need a deadline reminder? Let us know. See contact details on page 1. Late submissions are unlikely to be included for publication due to the considerable additional work involved. 5 NOTICE BOARD BOWLS EVENT Manea RBL Bowls Club will be holding a general roll-up on Tuesday 19 April Had a recent experience of using at 6pm. health or social care? Tell us what it was like for you. Listen: At Healthwatch, we listen. Tell us what is working well within our local health and care services and what you think needs to be better. We log what you say and share this anonymously with the people who make decisions about our care. This helps them improve care where it is needed. Involve: We can make sure you know about local opportunities to have your say on health and care decisions. You can sign up for regular updates, or get in touch whenever you want some information. We can help you find out what health and care services are available locally, or how to raise a concern. This is a free, independent and confidential service. Challenge: Healthwatch can challenge health and care decision makers, if care isn’t working in the way it should. We can also challenge, if we think a decision has been made where people have not been able to contribute. They have to listen to us, and they have to reply. Get in touch Please do tell us how care is working right now for you and the people who are important to you. Your experiences are important to us. We are happy to talk to local groups and attend events, so please do invite us. Everybody is very welcome - Age or your level (or lack) of experience is no barrier. Bowling and parking are FREE. For information please contact:John Lygo March & District Bowling Association Results/Competitions Secretary, Press Officer Tel:- 01354 653630 or email:- jrlygo24@sky.com HELP WRITE MANEA MATTERS Your free village magazine is becoming even more community-orientated and we want you to be involved. We will consider publishing uplifting stories about our little Manea community, so send us features that might interest our readers. Stories must be positive - negative rants are best left to social media such as Twitter or Facebook. We want our readers to be uplifted. We may be able to use Contact us www.healthwatchcambridgeshire.co.uk your local photos too. or call 01480 420628. Healthwatch Cambridgeshire follow us @HW_Cambs See page 1 for contact 6 details. MANEA’S ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION SUMMARY OF ACTIONS & PROGRESS TO DATE GROUP (MAPIG) The Needs What needed to be done, and Mapping the future for Manea the associated actions, were listed in Questionnaire In the summer of 2012 we sections just as they had appeared in the issued a questionnaire to every household in questionnaire, i.e. Information about Household, Education and the Parish of Manea, asking YOU what YOU Your wanted for the future of the village. MAPIG Employment, The Economy, Transport, was formed to monitor the actions listed in Social & Community, The Environment, Manea’s Action Plan, which was Communications, and about Manea. The ‘needs’ are listed in bold below, with subsequently published in 2013. the actions taken/progress recorded Priorities Against each action we stated its directly underneath each one. priority, the target date for achievement and Key: MM = Manea Matters MC = Manea which body/ies would be responsible. In Connect. most instances, we have monitored or chased the progress of others and in some SECTION 1 Information About Your Household cases MAPIG has been responsible. We have kept you regularly Updates updated, courtesy of Manea Matters, and last year we said that we would display any progress made on both the Station Noticeboard and on the Community Noticeboard in Park Road. Unfortunately space doesn’t permit this so we are publishing our final report in this edition of Manea Matters instead, which is distributed to every local household. Raise awareness of group oil-buying schemes. MAPIG investigated various schemes (including the Fenland Strategic Partnership scheme trial) and duly reported in MM / on MC website. Raise and promote awareness of efficient and affordable energy options. A widely promoted tariff comparison workshop was held in the Church Rooms. Mains gas to Manea was costed. It involves a pipe to Manea, another pipe from the road into individual houses and boiler replacement. It could only work if enough residents were interested to make it economically viable and if you were replacing your oil boiler. It was also established that single fuel suppliers are cheaper than dual. The Parish Council supported a large scale solar panel application within the parish. Information Please refer to your copy of the Action Plan, visit the Manea Connect website or click on:http://www.maneaconnect.co.uk/map_report for further information if required. 7 Address concerns re ‘Fuel Poverty’ applying to a fifth of households MAPIG wrote to Steve Barclay (MP for NW Cambridgeshire) and published his response in MM. SECTION 3 – The Economy Parish Council planning recommendations to take account of the local community’s wishes for planning within Manea. MAPIG drew up a procedure, based on the SECTION 2 – Education & Employment Fenland Local Plan (2014), for the Parish Council (PC) to consider when making their Encourage more frequent bus and train planning recommendations. services to enable access to education and employment . (See Section 4) Provide community with additional educational opportunities MAPIG invited Cambridgeshire Adult and Community Learning Services (CACLS) to respond to the questionnaire’s findings. A weekly session was established in the Church Rooms (venue funded by the Parish Council) and staffed by CACLS and Care Network Community Champion volunteers. Threshold Exceeded As a result, the PC were made aware that the planning threshold for growth had been exceeded for some time. Public Consultations are now being held before Planning Permission for any new application for additional dwellings is granted. The Fenland District Council also arranged for planning training for all Parish Councillors. Promotion of tourism opportunities MAPIG invited the Fenland District Councillor responsible for tourism to talk at their Open Meeting held in March 2014. Develop appropriate housing to meet the needs of the elderly The Parish Council approved a sheltered accommodation scheme in the village, which is now under development. Evening Classes MAPIG identified and listed the most popular subjects for evening classes, which were then advertised in the local press. MM promoted local educational activities for 11-15 year olds unable to participate in those provided in their schools. 8 Develop Local Businesses MAPIG requested the Cambridgeshire Enterprise Officer to provide an article for circulation in MM, which was duly published. Look at renewable energy options Covered in Section 1. SECTION 4 – Transport Emergency Services to take account of local community needs Police Commissioner for Cambridgeshire, Sir Graham Bright, was invited to attend MAPIG’s Open Meeting. Sir Graham duly presented his aims and objectives, after which there was a Q&A session. MAPIG has also liaised with all of the Emergency Services. As a result, a new Volunteer Firefighter has been recruited. The First Responder Team is also now in place Improve Public Transport In 2013 trains stopped 20 times per week (Mon - Sat) at Manea station. Currently there are 120 stopping per week with further additional stops planned within the 2016 franchise. The PC stated in Jan-Mar 2016 MM, “The Parish Council is expecting the station car park to be fully operational by early 2016”. See p.54 for Parish Council update. Establish a Good Neighbour Scheme A Community Champion from Care Network spoke at the Open Meeting. National charities operate local schemes to help residents in need. Increase awareness of Fenland Association for Community Transport MAPIG promoted the Dial-A-Ride service and how to become a member. Expand membership of local clubs and organisations MAPIG supplied, via the questionnaire, leaders/organisers of local groups with Reduce speeding within the village Members of MAPIG have regularly attended the contact details of those people who each Police Forum meeting and duly had expressed an interest in joining such advocated speeding to be the top priority for groups. police resources. A volunteer Speedwatch Identify local Dental Service options Group is now in operation in the village. All of the relevant parties, at the highest levels, were approached by MAPIG. SECTION 5 – Social & Community Unfortunately, the necessary funding is Improve communication between Police, not available so residents will need to Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) continue to register with dentists outside of the village. and the local community Police Forum meetings will now be held in Manea to address Manea issues only – dates to be publicised in advance. Please attend to voice your concerns. 9 Provide information about walking routes in and around Manea After successfully applying for an Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership (OWLP) grant, MAPIG produced a Walking Map of Manea, which was distributed free of charge to each household. The OS map shows 6 popular walks and each now have new signposts and waymarkers. Details of each walk appear on the reverse of the map and QR codes, when activated, will greatly enhance the experience, providing text, photos and vox pops recorded by a Manea resident. Improve amenities within the village Bus Shelters The Parish Council commissioned a feasibility study for the provision of bus shelters and is awaiting details of the County Council’s review of bus subsidies before considering this matter in any detail. Ensure street lighting is satisfactorily maintained MAPIG informed residents of the procedure for reporting any problems with street lighting and have reinforced this in MM and at the Open Meeting. Ensure all footpaths are clearly signposted MAPIG applied for, and acquired, new signs which now show the mileage. Establish if any marked walks / footpaths are accessible for wheelchairs Regrettably, there are currently no wheelchair accessible walks, but a section of Walk 1 has been identified as suitable. Regularly check that local footpaths and open spaces are kept clean and tidy. MAPIG invited the local Street Scene Officer to the Open Meeting , informed residents (via MM) how to report those who do not pick up their dog’s mess and requested an Toilets MAPIG helped install washbasins additional dog poo bin on The Green. in the toilets on the Playing Fields. Improve electronic communications SECTION 6 - Environment Open Reach has installed Fibre Optic Broadband and speeds of 40 Meg+ are Ensure signage for public toilets in the available in the centre of the village. This is village is clear for both local people and expanding to include outlying areas within visitors the parish. MAPIG also published details of Sign put in place on the High Street, how to determine mobile phone signal pointing down Park Road and another by strength in the Action Plan (See p.41). the cemetery pointing towards the Continued improvements to Parish Council Playing Field. communications MAPIG has liaised with the Parish Council Ensure local roads are safe (PC) to regularly provide copies of the PC MAPIG informed residents of the meeting minutes in specified locations. The procedure for reporting damaged road PC also agreed to purchase the Community surfaces and/or excessive mud on the Noticeboard, which is now in place in Park roads. (See p.41 of the Action Plan.) Road and the left hand panel is reserved solely for PC communications. 10 GETTING ABOUT - LOCAL TRANSPORT TIMETABLES TRAINS No Sunday Service You can catch a train from Manea Station to Peterborough, Ely, Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich. With a single change at Ely you can go to Cambridge as well. Trains run at the following times (Mon - Sat), towards: P'borough 0620 0707 0909 1109 1309 1509 1709 1826 1909 2109 Ely/Ipswich 0738 (Cambridge only) 0817 1017 1217 1417 1617 1744 1817 2017 2212 Full timetables, including times for return journeys and weekend services, are displayed at the station and online (Google ‘Manea Train Timetable’). Tickets are purchased from the Conductor on the train. BUSES No Sunday Service Number 56 buses run into March and Wisbech daily, (Mon-Sat). Times from the Rose & Crown are: 0902 1032 1232 1432 Return times from March (Tesco) are: 0834 1005 1205 1405 1605 and from Wisbech Bus Station: 0930 1130 1330 1530 For full bus timetables please see Norfolk Green (Stagecoach) website. 11 Rarely in the history of the world have criminals found so many useful ways to relieve honest people of their cash and property. Ironically, the one thing that has transformed our lives, often for the better, has made criminals’ lives easier - The Internet. Here we take a look at just a few of the ways crooks adopt to relieve us of our valuables. Fore-warned is fore-armed as our grannies used to say. A List of Who Not to Give Money or Your Bank Details/Pin Numbers to ● Anyone calling on the phone. ● Anyone cold calling at the door. ● Anyone claiming to need a card payment for a delivery. ● ‘Banks’ phoning you. Your bank will never ask for your pin number. Never call back on the same phone to check caller as scammers can stay on the line or may have provided a false number for ‘security.’ ● ‘Police’ phoning you to report you have been the victim of a fraud and asking for your bank details to check. Comply and you will be a fraud victim. ● The ‘National Lottery’ calling to tell you about your ‘win.’ The only winners will be the callers if you give them your bank details. ● A friend or relative who emails to say they have had an accident or other crisis abroad, please send money. Most likely their email account has been hacked. ● ‘Google’, ‘Microsoft’ or ‘Paypal’ who say you are a ‘Winner’ or are their 1,000,000th extra favoured customer who just has to click to collect. ● ‘YouTube’, ‘Facebook’ or ‘Linkedin’ who say you have a message. If you have an account, open it separately to check safely. Do not click on a link in the email. ● A company asking you to click on an invoice to pay, most likely for goods you never ordered. ● Wealthy Nigerian/Saudi/(insert nationality)/ prince has died and relative needs to transfer £30 million. You can have 20% of this - just send your bank details……. Stay Safe Along with fake websites and fake urgent messages from your anti-virus or email account provider, these are just a few examples - Don’t be a victim of a con. Be a little paranoid and stay safe. Les Crooks don’t all look like this. Be alert and be safe. 12 www.aquacarpetcleaning.co.uk PROFESSIONAL CARPET CLEANER CALL DAVID ON 07989 471556 FOR ALL PRICES AND BOOKINGS SPECIAL OFFERS:2 ROOMS £55 STAIRS & LANDING £45 please quote Manea Matters when booking your clean VILLAGE COMPUTERS Laptop/PC repairs and servicing ANY work £25 + Parts Advice is free! Call Trev on 07931 597426 16 Charlemont Drive 30 years of experience Microsoft ® Certified 13 N N EWMA GROUNDWORKS (Mini Digger & Driver Hire) Water Pipes Laid / Moled, Altered or Repaired Land Drainage Laid - Footings Excavations - Ground Levelling Concrete Bases - Pathways Patios – Driveways - Fencing C.S.C.S. & N.R.S.W.A. Registered Anglia Water Approved IGNITION DRIVING SCHOOL Your Key to freedom! Martin Farrington Local reliable driving instructor Call 01354688042 Or 07897414761 ignitiondrivingschool@hotmail.co.uk FIRST HOUR IS FREE! 14 D & L Disco Your local DJ All Occasions Catered For: Weddings, Birthdays, Anniversaries, 60s, 70s & 80s Nites to Present Day Music Our equipment is fully P.A.T. tested as required by law, and we hold public liability insurance Please contact Del or Lorraine on 01354 680830 or 07769 661960 Website:- www.dldisco.co.uk. E-mail:- howlers1@hotmail.com D & L Disco Are on Facebook 26 School Lane, Manea Open Tuesday to Saturday Senior Citizens: Tuesday / Wednesday Ring Tricia on 01354 680288 KGS MOTORCYCLES, MANEA *MZ/MUZ BIKES * SPARES BOUGHT & SOLD £££ Technical help and advice given, just ring Kev:- 07799 186640 BIKES, SPARES, JOB LOTS ALWAYS WANTED £££ Open 7 Days Ebay ‘KGS47MZ-PARTS’ Email:- kevin700@btinternet.com 15 For all your vehicle repairs and reliable servicing contact your local garage C J MASON Station Road, Manea, Cambs. All major payment cards now accepted Tel: Chris 01354 680217 Ponds & Patio Guttering Driveways Fireplaces STEVE EMERY Your Local Handyman Concreting Gardens Painting (01354) 680408 Mobile - 07816 240 836 Decorating Fencing 16 Tiling The Gardening Page Planning into Practise There are many essential tasks to do as we move out of the winter months, including planting shrubs or trees, pruning, general tidying, cleaning and lubricating garden tools, preparing the vegetable patch if not already done and if the soil is not still too wet. Arguably though, perhaps the most important task is finalising our planning for the coming growing season. Spring is always very welcome, but has a habit of creeping up on us, and the good intentions we had for our gardens last year can easily be overtaken by events. Beautiful Gardens It is easy to leave the garden more or less to its own devices, just tidying here and there as necessary, especially if more pressing tasks beckon. Nothing wrong with that, but those beautiful gardens that we admire in the summer don’t suddenly appear by accident; they are usually the result of careful foresight. A few handfuls of strategically planted bulbs, or some carefully placed new tubs or single-colour plantings of flowers can make a real difference. The Big Idea Sometimes though, if you have a good imagination and a bit of energy, you can make changes of a more substantial nature that will totally transform your garden. Think ponds, rockeries, or perhaps re-routing an old straight path into gentle curves that will allow imaginative planting along its length. 17 Rockery In our flat Fenland environment, creating artificially raised areas, even just a small rockery, can give impact. There are some basic rules though. If your rockery is not to resemble a poorly-baked Dundee cake, spotted with small stones like so many currants, use the largest and most natural-looking rocks you can find. Pay attention to drainage, and plant hardy alpines that can withstand winter cold and summer drying out. Avoid aggressively-growing plants like the over-enthusiastic Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium Tomentosum) which are great for covering sunny banks, but will totally smother everything else in a very short time. Sedums, Phlox, Aubretia, Saponaria, Arabis and Armeria are a safer bet. A good garden centre will be able to advise on appropriate varieties, or talk to Mary at our own Manea School of Gardening. Landon Cerastium (Snowin-Summer) Easy to grow, but may outgrow everything else very quickly. A. FIELDING LTD SALES and SERVICE Lawnmowers & Strimmers - Chainsaws - Rotavators Accessories - Power Washers & Steam Cleaners Compressors & Generators - Grass Cutting Service Driveway Power Washing Village Veg and Blooms For all Your Flower Needs Bouquets Made to Order Fresh Fruit and Veg daily 23 High Street, Manea, March, Cambs., PE15 0JA Call 01354 680025 or 07778 739241(Mobile) www.afieldingltd.co.uk 18 Many thanks to our guest writer, Martin Guy, whose Manea Wildlife contribution in our January issue reminded us that this area is home to several species of deer. How many of these can you spot? Guest writer for our June Summer issue of Manea Matters will be the RSPB’s Gemma Wells, who will be taking a look at nature-friendly farms in the area. For this issue though, you are stuck with me! MANEA WILDLIFE Creatures of the Night No, we’re not talking about vampires, but owls. Perhaps the most frequently seen owl around the Fens is the Barn Owl, a silent, pale-looking ghost of a bird, occasionally spotted at dawn or dusk, gliding smoothly back and forth along the drainage ditches seeking out small mammals. I’m always excited to spot one, as, although not exactly rare, they are not present in huge numbers, much to the relief of our hard-pressed Fen-living voles I am sure. Barn Owls are essentially nocturnal but are occasionally spotted in daylight and most people are familiar with their appearance (see photo). However, fewer people realise that Britain hosts five species of owl, and they might struggle to spot or Barn identify all of them. Owl They are Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Short-Eared Owl and Long-Eared Owl. They are similar in size to Barn Owls, perhaps a shade larger. The Fens are not too well blessed with woodland, so Tawny Owls are maybe just a little less common here than elsewhere. Long-Eared Owls are nocturnal like Barn Owls and Tawny Owls, and are a bit smaller. The distinctive ear tufts identify them, but I have not seen any in our area. Short-Eared Owls can be seen both day and night, and though smaller than Barn Owls, can sometimes be mistaken for them as they have similar pale undersides and a shared habit of quartering fields and marshland seeking out small mammals. Little Owls can sometimes be spotted sitting on a fence post. As the name implies, they are the smallest of the British Owls and they hunt mainly during the day. About the size of a starling, but with an owl’s chunky look, the Little Owl is not native to Britain, having been introduced during the 1800s. Tawny Owls are rarely seen as they are nocturnal and darker than Barn Owls the name refers to their colour. Their call will be recognised quite readily though - a somewhat unearthly screech, in addition to their well-known ‘Too Wit To Woo.’ 19 Les Little Owl Medlock, 37a Westfield Road, Manea, PE15 0LS Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday 9.30 to 5.30 Contact:- 01354 688277 Mobile Nos 07845942027 or 07860658382 We have a wide range of Dolls Houses Kits-DIY Lighting-Plans-Wallpapers-Furniture etc. Also Scenery etc for Train Enthusiasts www.patapestrydollshousesetc.co.uk 20 MANEA SURGERY Cathedral View, Manea, Cambs., PE15 0GN Tel: 01354 680774 Fax: 01354 688222 Practice Manager: Elizabeth Welcher Opening Times Surgery Manea Surgery is open from 8.00am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday. Doctors GPs’ surgeries are from 9.00am to 11.30am and from 3.00pm to 5.30pm. Appointments The GPs offer telephone appointments to patients on a daily basis. Book online too. Clinics The Practice Nurse and HCA Clinics are from 8.30am to 12.30pm, and from 3.00pm to 5.30pm. They are also able to offer telephone appointments. Home Visits The Practice also offers home visits to all patients who are unable to get to the surgery. Home visits should be requested before 10.30am daily. Dispensary The Dispensary is open from 8.30am to 6.00pm. Please note, the surgery will be closed from 1.00pm on 3�� Thursday of month for staff training 21 Tel: 01354 656001 Mob: 07984 453221 Workshop at 5 Century Way, March 56001 MANEA MATTERS DEADLINES Rumours Cafe Manea Matters is published quarterly by volunteers in March, June, September and December each year. Opening Times: Monday-Saturday 8am – 2pm Sunday Closed 16a High Street Manea PE15 0JA 01354 688462 Deadline dates for copy for publication are third Friday in January, April, July, and October, for March, June, September and December issues respectively. Contributions (brief) are welcomed from voluntary groups operating in Manea. All Day Breakfasts Lunch Takeaway Available Kids play area, kids portions available and High chairs! AND AMAZING HOMEMADE CHIPS! nea Ma er tt Ma *Saturday Special* Local Butcher selling fresh meat every Saturday! 22 COMMUNITY GROUPS RSPCA BLOCK FEN FRIENDS OF DODDINGTON HOSPITAL Manea Group Welcome to Brenda Hopkins, who has joined RSPCA Block Fen Animal Centre at Fen Drove, off Manea Road, Wimblington was the Manea Group as our new Secretary. built in 2003 on around 70 acres of land. Delay There has been a further delay with We can accommodate 63 dogs, 72 cats, 32 the two new benches for the hospital rabbits, plus other small animals, poultry and farm animals. Our facility is always grounds but they will be in place shortly. fully occupied. Purchases The Co-ordinating Group has agreed to purchase a Heart Monitor and a Priority Highest priority is to help animals range of colourful posters of cartoon ani- most in need; the sick, injured, neglected mals, for display throughout the clinics to or victims of cruelty. To do so, we need make the environment more child-friendly. to provide a safe place for our inspectors to take animals rescued from cruelty and Shop The shop opens daily from 0900 and neglect. These numbers continue to rise. the shop volunteers are always grateful for any unwanted gifts to sell on the gift trolley. Visit Us We are open to visitors, for Additional volunteers are very welcome. viewing from 11.00am to 3.30pm daily except Wednesdays and our fully stocked Diary As listed in the last edition of Manea shop is open 9.00am to 3.30pm daily. We Matters our two Tombolas this year will be sell a variety of pet food and accessories held in the Village Hall on: and our experienced staff are on hand to st advise you on your pet’s needs. Friday 1 April 2016 Friday 4th November 2016 Diary We hold a variety of fundraising Doors Open 6.30pm, Eyes Down at 7.00pm. events and our next event this year is our Gala Day on Saturday 16th July. If you We will hold a joint fundraising event with would like a stall please contact Kirstyn on Benwick and Chatteris Group, a Quiz, at the 0300 123 8442 (local call costs). There is a Hospital on Friday 14th October. £10 charge and stallholders must have More details in the next edition. Public and Product Liability insurance.The PLEASE PUT THESE DATES IN YOUR DIARIES NOW! event is also a fun dog show and is held outside on our fields. The next Group Meeting is on Wednesday 4th May 2016 at 7.30pm in the Back Room Thank you all for your support we hope to of the Village Hall ~ do come along if you see you all soon. would like to join the Manea Group. Dianne Rowe – Chairman 01354 688368 23 COMMUNITY GROUPS MANEA COMMUNITY CAR SCHEME MANEA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION Grants are available for students or The Scheme is still operative. If you need to groups working with students between 16 make a journey and do not have the use of a years (by 1st September) and 25 years of car, nor are you fit enough to use public transport, please phone Delia Wakeling on age (by 31st August). 07913 417358. This is a mobile phone, but be ready to give me your home number and You must reside or lead groups in Manea I will ring back. to apply for a grant. All Manea-based groups can apply. I am normally able to answer the phone between 9.00am and 5.00pm on weekdays. Grants allocated If I do not answer, I could be driving or every June similarly occupied. Please be patient and try again a little later. Application form from: Ro King, South View, Wisbech Road, Manea, March, Cambs. PE15 Journeys are charged at 30p per mile, with a 0HB or Email – nking38167@aol.com minimum charge of £3.00. MANEA AFTERNOON CLUB With Walk & Talk We meet in the the Village Hall back room at 1.30pm on 3rd Monday of each month. Diary 18�� April: ‘A Rosy Glow’ 16�� May: ‘The Colour Pink’ We will then be on our Summer break, and will be having a meal out. We will try to get to the Rose Fair this year - last year it came during the only heatwave of the year. Call Val on 680600 for information. MANEA OVER SIXTIES CLUB We now hold our meetings in the Royal British Legion Club. However, you don’t actually have to be over sixty to come along and enjoy a social afternoon. The Club also arranges a ‘Day Out’ during the year, plus a Meal and a Christmas Party Tea, so why not come along and give us a try? Meetings are held every fortnight on a Friday at 2.00pm. Further information:Joan Barber 01354 680348 24 COMMUNITY GROUPS MANEA SILVER BAND MANEA DINNERS The Manea Silver Band is a group of musicians dedicated to bringing brass band music to local communities in a fun and entertaining way. We perform all over the region, in festivals, parks, pubs, concert halls, churches, and just about anywhere we are asked to play! Manea Dinners are still providing excellent dinners for our guests at £4.50, which includes a main meal, dessert, and endless cups of tea or coffee. As a non-profit group run by volunteers, any excess cash goes back to our guests by way of free dinners, entertainment or gifts. We are always looking for more If you wish to join us in the Village Hall on members, so if a Wednesday at 11.30am, then please you are a player or come along. You will be most welcome. a lapsed player or you want to learn how to play a brass instrument, please come along or get in touch. The band rehearses at Manea Methodist Chapel, Station Road, every Monday. 7.30 to 9.30pm. We offer free lessons for learners and junior players, 6.30pm to 7.30pm. For more information contact the band If we have whetted your appetite and you secretary, Howard Roberts: 07920 776732. would like to know more about Manea Or email: howard_msb_sec@outlook.com. Dinners, please call Nicky on 01354 680818. Read Manea Matters in Glorious Full Colour at www.maneaconnect.co.uk 25 MANEA INFORMATION SHEET APRIL TO MAY 2016 Police Local Neighbourhood Policing Team Non-emergency number: 101. Emergency: 999. PCSO (Mobile): 07738 025149 Ext 6512 Transport Trains - National Rail: 08457 484950, or Greater Anglia: 08456 007245 Manea (Station Road) - Trains to Ely and Peterborough and onward connections. Manea is no longer a request stop. Buses - Norfolk Green (Stagecoach), service 56. - Tel 01553 776980 For bus and train timetables please see page 11 Library Library information line 08450 455225 Mobile library 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 2.35pm - 3.40pm in Station Road outside school. 3.45pm - 4.20pm in High Street, opp. Old Post Office. Provides a doorstep service with books, tapes, CDs, DVDs, Videos etc. Can deliver to members’ homes if unable to attend the library. (Libraries also located in nearby Chatteris, March & Wisbech). Note: Cambridgeshire Mobile Library to be phased out over 2 yrs from 2015 Hospitals & Medical Services NHS 24 - Call 111 for advice Manea Surgery 01354 680774 (4 Cathedral View, Manea) Peterborough City Hospital 01733 678000 (Switchboard) (Edith Cavell Campus, Bretton Gate, Peterborough, PE3 9GZ) Hinchingbrooke Hospital 01480 416416 (Hinchingbrooke Park, Huntingdon, PE29 6NT) Addenbrookes Hospital 01223 245151 (Hills Road, Cambridge) Queen Elizabeth Hospital 01553 613613 (Gayton Road, King’s Lynn, PE30 4ET) Minor Injuries Unit:- Doddington 01354 644241 (Monday- Sunday) Wisbech 01945 585781, Ely 01353 656675 (Monday - Sunday) Wisbech Dental Access Centre 01945 465919 26 For regular weekly events, please see p. 1 April 1�� ~ Methodist Worship Lunch, 12.00 to 1.00pm (see p.34) 1�� ~ FODH Tombola, Village Hall, 6.30pm for 7.00pm start (see p.23) 2ⁿ� ~ RBL Live Music, Stubby, 8.30pm 3�� ~ Orchard Maintenance Day. 10.00am to 12.00 (see p.48) 5�� ~ St Nicolas Tuesday @ Two, Church Rooms, 2.00pm to 4.30pm (see p.34) 6�� ~ Manea History Group, Methodist Church, 7.30pm (see p.49) 9�� ~ RBL Live Music, Barry Chase, 8.30pm 11�� ~ RBL Women’s Section, Village Hall Club Room, 7.00pm (see p.31) 15�� ~ MANEA MATTERS DEADLINE 16�� ~ RBL Live Music, Warren Dewitt Shreves, 8.30pm 17�� ~ Orchard Maintenance Day. 10.00am to 12.00 (see p.48) 17�� ~ St Nicolas Family Service, Church Rooms, 11.00am (see p.34) 18�� ~ Afternoon Club, Village Hall Back Room, 1.30pm (see p.24) 18�� ~ Manea Parish Council Meeting, Village Hall, 7.00pm (see p.54) 19�� ~ St Nicolas Tuesday @ Two, Church Rooms, 2.00pm to 4.30pm (see p.34) 19�� ~ RBL Bowls Club Event, East Street, 6.00pm (see p.6) 20�� ~ RBL Prize Bingo, 6.45pm (see p.22) 21�� ~ Manea Surgery closed for staff training 23�� ~ RBL Live Music, Clear Cut, 8.30pm 26�� ~ WI, Church Rooms, 7.30pm (see p.32) 30�� ~ RBL Live Music, Kay D, 8.30pm May 1�� ~ Orchard Maintenance Day. 10.00am to 12.00 (see p.48) 3�� ~ St Nicolas Tuesday @ Two, Church Rooms, 2.00pm to 4.30pm (see p.34) 4�� ~ FODH Group Meeting, Back Room, Village Hall, 7.30pm (see p.23) 4�� ~ Manea History Group, Methodist Church, 7.30pm (see p.49) 6�� ~ Methodist Worship Lunch, 12.00 to 1.00pm (see p.34) 7�� ~ RBL Live Music, Steve Key, 8.30pm 9�� ~ RBL Women’s Section, Village Hall Club Room, 7.00pm (see p.31) 14�� ~ RBL Live Music, Johnny Marks, 8.30pm 15�� ~ Orchard Maintenance Day. 10.00am to 12.00 (see p.48) 15�� ~ St Nicolas Family Service, Church Rooms, 11.00am (see p.34) 16�� ~ Afternoon Club, Village Hall Back Room, 1.30pm (see p.24) 27 Apr - May 2016 May (continued) 17�� ~ St Nicolas Tuesday @ Two, Church Rooms, 2.00pm to 4.30pm (see p.34) 18�� ~ RBL Prize Bingo, 6.45pm (see p.22) 19�� ~ Manea Surgery closed for staff training 21�� ~ RBL Live Music, 8.30pm 23�� ~ Manea Parish Council Meeting & AGM, Village Hall, 7.00pm 24�� ~ WI, Church Rooms, 7.30pm (see p.32) (see p.54) 28�� ~ RBL Live Music, Big Ron Tee, 8.30pm Note, due to changing publication dates, this issue of Manea Matters covers just April and May. However, for your convenience we have included some June events of which we have been made aware. June 3�� ~ Methodist Worship Lunch, 12.00 to 1.00pm (see p.34) 4�� ~ RBL Live Music, Black Steel, 8.30pm 5�� ~ Orchard Maintenance Day. 10.00am to 12.00 (see p.48) 7�� ~ St Nicolas Tuesday @ Two, Church Rooms, 2.00pm to 4.30pm (see p.34) 8�� ~ Manea History Group, Methodist Church, 7.30pm (see p.49) 11�� ~ Methodist Strawberry Tea, 3.00pm (see p.34) 11th ~ RBL Live Music, George Macintosh, 8.30pm 13�� ~ RBL Women’s Section, Village Hall Club Room, 7.00pm (see p.31) 15�� ~ RBL Prize Bingo, 6.45pm (see p.22) 16�� ~ Manea Surgery closed for staff training 18�� ~ Chilli-Eating Contest, Skylark Garden Centre (see back page) 18�� ~ RBL Live Music, 8.30pm 19�� ~ Orchard Maintenance Day. 10.00am to 12.00 (see p.48) 19�� ~ St Nicolas Family Service, Church Rooms, 11.00am (see p.34) 20�� ~ Manea Parish Council Meeting, Village Hall, 7.00pm (see p.54) 21�� ~ St Nicolas Tuesday @ Two, Church Rooms, 2.00pm to 4.30pm (see p.34) 25�� ~ RBL Live Music, 8.30pm 28�� ~ WI, Church Rooms, 7.30pm (see p.32) 28 Animals and Wildlife Places of Worship RSPB Ouse Washes 01354 680212 Welches Dam, Manea Wetland Reserve and visitor centre WWT Welney 01353 860711 Hundred Foot Bank, Welney Wetland Reserve, visitor centre and tea room (See p.34) St Nicolas C of E, High Street, Manea. Wardens: Mrs R Hankins: 01354 680585 Mr Bob Day Manea Methodist Chapel, Station Road, Manea Mrs E Lawrence 01354 680591 RSPCA Wimblington 0300 123 0726 Local Towns Education Manea Community Primary School, Station Road, Manea: 01354 680293 Manea Pre-School: 01354 680928 Chatteris (approx 7 miles) Market Day – Friday Half day closing –Wednesday Meeting Places Village Hall: 01354 688418 (Ann Pickering) Church Rooms 01354 680585 (Rosemary Hankins) March (approx 8 miles) Market Day – Wednesday and Saturday Half day closing – Tuesday Councils, Refuse Collection & Recycling Fenland District General Enquiries 01354 654321 District Councillor: Mark Buckton 01354 688442. Email: mbuckton@fenland.gov.uk Manea Parish Council: Terry Jordan 01354 279312 Meets 3rd Monday of the month at 7.00pm - Village Hall holds a public open forum at the start of each meeting. Refuse collections 7.00am onwards Alternate Wednesdays for recycling Household Waste Site: Hundred Road, March Recycling Points: Royal British Legion ~ Newspapers, Magazines, Glass Wisbech Road/Station Road Junction ~ Clothes, Textiles, Books, CDs, DVDs, PC & Console Games Fire Station ~ Clothes, Shoes, Linen 29 COMMUNITY GROUPS MANEA HISTORY GROUP MANEA ALLOTMENTS The group meets in Manea Methodist Chapel, Station Road, on a Wednesday once a month and enjoys regular talks and presentations on a variety of historyrelated topics. Manea Allotments (off Park Road) are now becoming well established, and take-up of the plots has been very good. Rent Annual rents are £25 and £12.50 for full (approx 220 sq. Metres) and half plots (approx. 110 sq. Metres) respectively. Allotment Committee Contact Details:Chairman, Roger Watts :rogwatts@hotmail.com Secretary, Tracey Fison:tracey.fyson2728@gmail.com Treasurer, David Boyd david.homesurfin@btinternet.com Start time: 7.30pm. Admission £2.50 Includes tea and biscuits Diary: 6th April ~ Gill Shepherd 4th May ~ Richard Gibbons 8th June ~ Hilary Ritchie MANEA VILLAGE HALL Information: Ursula: 01354 680406 Sunday Spiritual Service, Club Room from 10.00am MANEA YOUTH CLUB New to the village? Parents giving you aggro? Come along to Manea Village Hall in School Lane on a Tuesday evening from 7.00pm and hang out with us. School Lane Manea PE15 0JN Monday Art Class 10.00am, Club Room Walk & Talk 2.00pm Afternoon Club 1.30pm, Club Room on 3rd Monday Tuesday Youth Club 7.00pm Wednesday Manea Dinners 11.30am for 12.00pm, Club Room Thursday Toddler Group, 9.30am in term time Frameworks Dance Classes, 4.00pm - 7.00pm Self-Development & Spiritual Awareness, 7.30pm 10.00pm, Club Room To book the Hall or Club Room at Friday very competitive rates, please Bingo 7.00pm contact the Secretary, Ann Pickering, on 01354 688418 30 COMMUNITY GROUPS MANEA CONNECT COMMITTEE MANEA STREET PRIDE This quarterly magazine is brought to you by the Manea Connect Committee, which was set up in February 2004 to inform villagers of events and services in and around the village and to help coordinate community groups and events. See also our website, www.maneaconnect.co.uk We are a small group of volunteers who also periodically stage events ourselves. If you can spare a little time to help out, you will be very welcome. Why not become one of our ‘Friends’ who help deliver Manea Matters? The aim of the group is to maintain the flower tubs around Manea and keep the public areas clean and free from litter. Volunteers always needed to help keep our village blooming. Come and join us. Details:- Andy, on 01354 688335 YOUR COMMUNITY GROUP?? ROYAL BRITISH LEGION WOMEN’S SECTION Manea is a vibrant, growing community with numerous friendly social and activity groups operating quietly - or some not so quietly - in the background. The Women’s Section of the Legion hold their meetings at 7.00pm on the 2nd Monday of each month at the Village Hall Clubroom. See Village Diary for dates. Do you belong to such a group? Have you told the rest of the community about what your group does? Get yourself noticed! Let us know what you are up to and we’ll give you a regular quarterly slot in Manea Matters. See page 1 for contact details. 31 Further information:Joan Barber (Secretary): 01354 680348 COMMUNITY GROUPS WOMEN’S INSTITUTE EDDIE’S BE A BEFRIENDER The Fenland-based charity, Eddie’s, is looking for reliable volunteers to join their Befriending Scheme and make a difference to someone’s life. Travel and activity costs will be reimbursed by Eddie’s. Give It A Go Girls WI We’re not just ‘Jam and Jerusalem’ Come along and give us a try, we may surprise you; we have a varied programme of speakers throughout the year, which hopefully will appeal to all interests and ages. If you have a caring and understanding attitude, with a genuine desire to help people, then please contact Eddie’s today. Suzanne.lombardo@eddies.org.uk or call 01354 651166. As you see there is also a monthly competition and a competition /bring along item, just for fun. Speaker/ Date Activity Clothing Colour Bring Along 26�� April Benefits of Mediterranean Diet Green Item beginning ‘N’ 24�� May English Spirits Pink Item beginning ‘O’ Open Mtg, 28�� June Upwood Ukelele FENLAND ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY TRANSPORT (F.A.C.T.) Competition/ Item beginning ‘P’ Meetings Band are held on the 4th Tuesday of the month. Come along and join us at 7:30pm in the Church Rooms, Park Road. Your first meeting is free. Information: Steph Short:- 01354 680913 FACT is a not-for-profit organisation serving the Fens for people who have difficulties using conventional transport. We aim to provide accessible, affordable and safe transport services. You must be a member of FACT to use this service. Groups/individuals must register with us before using our services. Our fleet ranges from minibuses with 12 – 16 seats which can carry up to four wheelchair users, to cars for one wheelchair user/two passengers. Our vehicles are fully wheelchair accessible. CONTACT US:- 5 Martin Avenue, March, Cambridgeshire, PE15 0AY Telephone: 01354 661234 Fax: 01354 661235 Email: contact@fact.gb.com 32 MANEA ROYAL BRITISH LEGION CLUB in East Street, Manea, consists of: ● A Fully Licensed Bar with a full size Snooker Table ● Pool Table - Dart Boards - Slot Machines ● Function room suitable for small parties or meetings for your club's committees of up to 40 guests ● Large Dance Hall suitable for parties of up to 150 guests. ● Short Mat Bowling in Main Hall ● ● 4-Lane Outdoor Bowls Rink ● Large Car Park All these facilities are available to ANYONE, and EVERYONE is welcome Contact for hall hire: Paddy:- 01354 680694 33 Weekly Activities (7.00pm start unless stated):● Tuesday, Karate ● 3�� Wednesday, Prize Bingo, 6.45pm, eyes down 7.15pm ● Thursday, Bingo (Over 18s) ● Saturday, Live Music, 8.30pm Church Notices High Street, Manea Station Road, Manea Regular Events:- Regular Events:- Morning praise and prayer most Sundays at 11.00am. All Age Worship tea/coffee/snacks. Sundays at 10.00am All welcome. Family Service in the Church Rooms, 3rd Sunday of the month at 11.00am:- Tea, Coffee and Cake. Puppets, Craft, lively songs. Very child friendly. Jigsaw Group, Most Thursdays, 2.00 to 4.00pm. A place to enjoy tea and cake with friends, perhaps share a jigsaw, play dominoes or bring along a favourite craft. Tuesday @ Two Church Rooms, Park Road on alternate Tuesdays, 2.00pm to 4.30pm. Intended for all ages to enjoy with coffee, tea & cake, cordials and fruit. Craft activities, pre-school area, hand-crafted cards for sale, pre-loved Christian books for sale or exchange. No charge for the session or refreshments. (See Diary for dates). Craft Club, Fridays, 10.00am-12.00 noon, £2.50. Refreshments provided. A time to meet new friends & chat. Bring your knitting or other craft work. Bible Study/Fellowship Group, Mondays 8.00pm at 1 Westfield Road, Manea. Diary:Strawberry Tea, Saturday 11�� June, 3.00pm. At the chapel. Entertainment is from the Thomas Jay Duo. Tickets from Mrs Lawrence. Information:Church Wardens Mrs Rosemary Hankins 01354 680585 & Mr Bob Day 01354 688063 Find us on Facebook or our website www.maneachurch.co.uk Information:Minister:- Rev Sue Snowden: 01945 772456 Lay Worker:- Sarah Eastol: 01354 680883 Mrs Lawrence:- 01354 680591 Worship Lunch, First Friday of the month, 12.00 to 1.00pm. A simple meal with friends old and new, £2.00 per person. 34 Fen Folk through the years FENLAND FLOODS When the editor of this fine quarterly magazine asked me to write an article about flooding in the Manea area, I had something of a job to find very much on the subject. Gale Then came a South-Westerly gale which “whipped up the water” throughout the South Level of the Old Great Ouse catchment area. This threatened all the Fens, including the Old Bedford River. Good News This perhaps is good news for us all. At the time of the request, flooding was very much in the news, with seemingly vast areas of Britain under water; very worrying for those of us living in low-lying localities like the Fens. Manea Volunteers Punts were put into use to ferry some 50 volunteers from Manea to the High Bank, which was in imminent danger of collapse. Sandbags were pressed into use to strengthen the banks, and all the men were soon soaked to the skin. Livestock Farmers were compelled to move their livestock, and crops were speedily moved, where possible. Imminent Danger So let me take you back to March 1937, when the Town Crier for Manea (we so need one of those!) rang his bell to signal imminent danger of flooding in or around the village. There had been a series of heavy rainstorms, and the rivers in the area were full to overflowing. 35 Pumping Station The pumping station at Colony was literally inches away from being inundated. Had this happened, with water entering the pumping station, the engines would have stopped, and far worse flooding would have resulted. In a similar scenario in York last December, York was severely flooded when a flood barrier had to be opened to protect a threatened pumping station to try to prevent a far worse catastrophe. Royal Engineers The Royal Engineers were called out to assist in the desperate battle with nature. Sandbags were needed to protect ‘The Ship’ public house at Purls Bridge. High Tide The fact was, that with a high tide, the waters could breach the banks right across the Fens. It was recorded that the water was some eight feet above normal in some rivers. The Ship at Purls Bridge. Sandbags were needed to protect it from flooding. 1937 flooding. Believed to be Chatteris. March at Risk It was not just Manea at risk. There were also concerns for Sutton, Ely and Wilburton, and it was said at the time that, had the banks breached, the town of March would have flooded. The men worked in darkness with hurricane lamps, putting tons of clay on to the banks to prevent the water from overflowing. Some men worked on the water itself, using barges. One of the helpers in the battle against the floods was mentioned by name, 1947 Floods Some ten years later, floods one Mr Gerald Cave - a surname not would again threaten the Fens. Early in 1947, some 34 English counties suffered unknown in Manea. flooding, with the Fens being particularly Widespread Chaos The Fens were hard hit yet again. But that’s a story for not the only area to be affected by the another time…… Janet H exceptional conditions: Kent fared very badly too. The River Humber, too, was giving great cause for concern on that dreadful night. 36 RHD CONSULTANTS Need PLANNING PERMISSION? Building an Extension / Room in the Roof / Garage Conversion to Living Accommodation ? Currently Has Vacancies for Children of Two Years and Above Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ofsted Inspected (Graded ‘Good’) NCMA Member with 1st Aid Certificate Full-Time, Part-Time, School Holidays Pre-School and School Pick-ups Over 20 Years’ Experience References Available Very Homely and One-to-One Care All drawings , surveys, planning forms, bio-diversity forms etc as required, All for £150.00 Drawings are Location Plan, Site Plan, Floor Plans, All Elevations & Any Sections as Required PLANNING AGENTS (Est’d 1973) 45 WESTFIELD ROAD MANEA, PE15 0LS (01354 680273) Fully Qualified, Part P Registered Electrician Domestic, Commercial & Industrial Electrical Installations Testing & Inspection ______________________________________________________ For A Free Quotation Contact Aaron on 07956 94 99 68 | am@aemelectricalservices.co.uk www.aemelectricalservices.co.uk 55 Station Road, Manea, Cambridgeshire 37 38 EGB Vacuum Ltd -Engineering the Future Eddie Barnes Director BAGGED POTATO HAULAGE Mobile: 07769 654380 A regular service into the Midlands area Unit 30 Earith Business Park Earith Cambridgeshire PE28 3QF Full & part loads undertaken 39b Westfield Road, Manea, March, Cambs. PE15 0LS Tel: +44 1487 840123 Mob: +44 7771 804159 Sales@egb-vacuum.co.uk www.egb-vacuum.co.uk Perce Baxter & Son General Builder —-------------------------------:- 01354 692192 Mobile: 07815 563964 39 www.dandjtransport.co.uk AGGREGATE SUPPLIES 01354 740249 SAND, GRAVEL, BALLAST GRANITE, BARK, SLATE, TOPSOIL LIMESTONE OPC BRICK BATS & TARMAC PLANINGS DELIVERED OR COLLECTED SAME DAY/NEXT DAY DELIVERY LOOSE OR BAGGED FROM 1 TONNE TO 29 TONNES MUCK AWAY SERVICE Tel:01354 740249 40 BRIDAL PACKAGES OLD DAIRY YARD, WESTFIELD ROAD, MANEA. 41 THE SPICE BANK CONTEMPORARY INDIAN CUISINE Locally Sourced New exclusive dishes available Freshly Cooked Exclusive Menu SUNDAY ROYAL BUFFET STARTER | MAIN COURSE ACCOMPANIED BY RICE, SHARING SIDE & NAAN SUNDAY BETWEEN 12 - 3PM FEAST MENU ANY STARTER | ANY MAIN COURSE ACCOMPANIED RICE, SHARING SIDE & NAAN SUN - WED A-La-Cart available 01354 657732 | www.thespicebank.com 42 PHIL BRIDGEMENT Carpenter/Joiner 1st & 2nd Fix Carpentry ~ Kitchens Fitted Floor/Wall Tiling 01354 688466 Mobile: 07853 338932 8 Scholars Close, Manea, PE15 0HF * * * * * * * * Qualified Carpenter & Joiner Most Property Maintenance Plastering Floor & Wall Tiling Kitchen Fitting Bathroom Fitting Wooden Flooring Anything Else?….Please Just Ask Please contact Anthony Beeching:Home: 01354 688420. Mob: 07800 730693 abbsanthony68@gmail.com 66 Station Road, Manea, Cambs, PE15 0HE REARING TO GO Equine Rug Cleaning Service and Saddlery Rugs Rearingtogo Saddlery 83 High Street, March, PE15 9LB Wash & Reproof……£13.00 Tel:- 01354 651737 Wash……………………£7.00 Numnahs……………..£4.00 (Free pick-up & delivery) Equine Rug Cleaning Service, Cat & Dog bedding washed, £7 per machine load. Repairs undertaken…Individually priced For all your equine requisites, call Mick on 077690 697424 or 01354 651737 43 PAYNES of CHATTERIS Ltd (D.A.W. Payne, B.Tech, Elec. Eng) 59 CHARLEMONT DRIVE, MANEA, CAMBS. PE15 OGA Tel: 08450 695285 Fax: 08450 694704 Mobile: 07836 280063 Your local qualified NIC EIC electrical contractors serving the local community for the last 39 years E D LEISUR WORK AN CLOTHIN IE G SUPPL Personalise your Garments with Embroidery & Printing No Minimum Quantity In House Digitizing Service Available 01354 652 880 or 07904 692 413 katie@sewlo.co.uk 15 Hostmoor Avenue, March, PE15 0AX (Near Tesco) www.s ewlo.c o.uk 44 RS 45 K & R TIMBER We are a local timber company with quite a big range Large selection of T & G Shed Cladding Sleepers 6 by 6 heavy duty Trellis. Other sizes to order Timber:- 2 by 2, 2 by 3, 2 by 4 etc Feather Edge & Post & Rail Fencing Plywood Sheets 8 by 4 Picket Fence panels 10m Rolls Shed Felt Plus lots of other timber and products. Not sure what you want? - Just pop down and have a look around. We also build standard size and bespoke Sheds, Summerhouses, Playhouses, Dog & Cat Runs etc. For Timber, call Kev: 07919 102091 For Sheds, Buildings etc, call Paul: 07906 344026 Vicarage Farm, Byall Fen Drove, Manea, Cambs Got an odd-shaped garden?…No problem ~ We can make a building to fit, be it a shed, playhouse, summerhouse, garden office etc. Allsorts Sheds, Vicarage Farm, Byall Fen Drove, Manea, PE15 0JY Tel: Paul on 07906 344026 Email:- allsortssheds@googlemail.com 46 ‘ 47 All welcome Contact Margaret on 01354 688178 mlwilliams@nimrod108.plus.com 48 Your Village Shop One-Stop - Manea Store 1 Park Road, Manea PE15 0LL Tel: 01354 680315 Warm and friendly service, everything you need for daily shopping: Post Office Newspapers Newspaper Delivery Lottery Cash Machine Pay Point Machine Off Licence Frozen Food Dairy Products Greeting Cards Household Coal Fresh meat to order from Betts. And a lot more Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 6:30am to 8:00pm Sunday 8.00am to 8.00pm 49 ALAN WRIGHT SCOOTER PARAMEDIC DAVE’S MOBILITY SCOOTER SERVICES ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Plumbing and Heating General Maintenance & Repairs REPAIRS CALL OUT HOME SERVICE VISITS BATTERIES TESTING/RENEWAL PUNCTURE REPAIR CONFIDENCE BUILDING DBS CHECKED WE BUY - WE SELL - WE PX 82, Cavalry Drive, March, Cambs PE15 9DP Tel: 01354 656370 Mob: 07849655316 Tel: 01354 680662 Mob: 07833 281142 No call out charges MANEA PIONEER CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT & SPIRITUAL HEALING MANEA VILLAGE HALL ALL WELCOME TO OUR DIVINE SERVICE EVERY SUNDAY MORNING AT 10.00 – 11.00am Healing Given Followed by Divine Service 11.15am Spiritual Development class open to all every Thursday 7.30pm – 10.00pm All enquiries to Annie Callow on 07402910548 For further events go to Facebook Manea Pioneer Center 50 POPPY APPEAL Total Raised So far this year the amount raised is £3307.65. However, this is not the final total as more donations are expected. 2015 Total In 2015 the amount raised was £5105.72. Thank You On behalf of the Poppy Appeal I would like to thank all the collectors who go out in all weathers selling poppies, also to all the businesses who have poppy collecting pots. We Must Remember Them We must not forget what the soldiers do They fight for our country to help me and you So the British Legion do their best To help all their families and the rest Selling poppies once a year To raise some money for ones so dear Coffee mornings, cake stalls too The money all helps to remember you Remember the flag, blue and gold We must not forget them as they grow old The soldiers and their families too Need looking after like me and you We think of them and we pray They all will come home safe one day So when you buy a poppy at your door Please remember what it's for Finally, thank you to everyone who donated to this appeal. Thank you all very much. Lesley Kennedy (PAO) 51 Shirley Haylock WESTFIELD FARMS (MANEA) LTD __________________________________________ FARMERS AND CONTRACTORS ---------------------------------------- Quality Chipping Potatoes Ÿ Contract Farming Ÿ Contract Grading/Storage Ÿ NEW ~ Drain Jetting With Latest Equipment Contact: - Tel:- James 01354 680781 Mobile:- 07515 105701 E.Mail:- westfieldfarms@btconnect.com 52 Radiance Nails by Paula Judd Qualified, Experienced Nail Technician Prom Nails- Creative Nail Art - Nail Enhancements Gel Polish for Natural Nails,and All Aspects of Beauty Treatments. Pamper Parties for 4 or More Guests - Special Offers Based in Manea Call or Message Paula:- 07843 664616 radiancenails@yahoo.com 53 MANEA PARISH COUNCIL Ian Woodard Manea Parish Council wishes to note the passing of Councillor Ian “Woody” Woodard. “Woody” was a dedicated Parish Councillor and very passionate for wheelchair access at Manea Pit, where he spent many hours. Street Lighting The Fenland District Council’s directive for the street lights within Manea Village is reflected in the 2016/2017 Council Tax Precept. This figure represents an increase for the Parish of Manea of £0.59 per week for a Band D Property and is mainly to cover the adoption and maintenance of 51 street lights. The adoption programme for street lighting is set to run for the next 3 years. During and after this time the Parish Council will be responsible for all Category 2 street lights. Ian “Woody” Woodard "Woody” had an opinion on most, if not all of the Parish Council’s business and he would state these opinions firmly, and was therefore respected by the Parish Councillors. The Parish Council will donate a park bench to be sited in the Manea Pit area with a plaque in memory of Councillor Woodard. Other Financial Issues Other factors affecting Parish Council finances include reductions in income to the Parish Council from Fenland District Council, and increased support being provided to the Youth Club. Station Car Park The station car park has had another setback resulting in a further delay to the opening, and at this time, the Parish Council is unable to predict an opening time. Election A Parish Council election, with three candidates standing for the Open Forum There is a 15 minute forum for villagers to address the position, was held on February to Parish Council before the Council replace Councillor Woodard. Dr Richard meeting. If you have any subjects Hirson was duly elected as a Parish relevant to the Manea Parish Council then Councillor. come along at 7.00pm. Dates and venues are advertised on our website, in the minutes of previous meetings, or contact any Parish Councillor. Cllr. Kenneth Risbridger 11th This page is provided by Manea Connect Committee for the exclusive use of Manea Parish Council, to whom any enquiries regarding content should be directed. 54 Printed in Cambridgeshire by David J Richards Ltd, 1 West Park Street, Chatteris, PE16 6AH
Similar documents
Manea Matters Issue 28 Jan 2011
Anglers at Manea Pit will tell you, for example, that apart from the coots, moorhens, grebes and other waterfowl, sleepy grass snakes can be spotted swimming lazily around the lake margins in sprin...
More information