Wisbech

Residents of a Wisbech care home and their families got into the festive spirit during a Christmas fair. Santa made a special appearance at the Glennfield Care Centre event. He chatted to youngsters in the grotto set up at the Money Bank site. Other attractions included stalls, tombola, craft stalls and cakes. The event raised at least £450 for the residents comfort fund. The centre is also selling calendars of one of its most popular residents, Jasper the cat. The calendars cost is £5 and money raised will go towards his vets bills. Activities co-ordinator Amanada Scott said: “It was a really nice afternoon and the residents really enjoyed it.”

Police have seized a car which was being driven with a tyre shredded to the rim.

A Wisbech primary school has gone from being one of the worst in the country for pupil attendance to above the national average.

On a dismal Sunday afternoon in November, Wisbech Just Sing! brought back the sunshine and entranced family and friends with a showcase of all their favourite songs sung over the last seven sessions.

A Fenland primary school is celebrating after being rated as ‘good’ with many ‘outstanding’ features by education inspectors.

The search is on for the next Poet Laureate of Fenland and a competition has been launched to get things under way.ADeC and Atelier East – working in partnership with Fen Speak and the Wisbech & Fenland Museum – are asking people to share their poetry by entering the competition which is free to enter.

Pupils from Cromwell Community College have been raising money for 76 different charities during a fair. Youngsters planned a variety of games to help raise money for group ssuch as the RSPCA and Cancer Research.

Andrew Sean Larham and Serena Jayne Webb were married in August at Quy Mill Hotel, Cambridge.

In my last column I ran out of space describing the independent retailers in Wisbech town centre.

Churches are important buildings in our communities but they are costly to maintain and are often in need of work – which is why I am encouraging parishes across the area to apply for a slice of £15 million of government funding.

With Christmas and the New Year shortly upon us, if you still have a few presents to buy, you may think of travel vouchers as a unique gift. Maybe you would like to give a surprise travel gift – there are still offers available for a New Year break.

Manea School of Gardening

Students at Neale-Wade Academy in March were given a valuable insight into running their own business by taking part in an enterprise simulation delivered by The Skills Service.

A Wisbech church enjoyed a busy weekend during its annual Christmas Tree festival. St Augustine’s Church welcomed a steady flow of visitors to look at the 50 trees, which were decorated by schools, families and businesses. The event was opened by Wisbech mayor Michael Hill and also included a concert performed by Cobbs Country. Carols sung by tree light was also well supported on Sunday. The trees will remain until Sunday, January 4. The church will be hosting a lessons and carol service on Wednesday, December 17, at 7pm and midnight mass on Christmas Eve. A service will be held on Christmas day at 10am.

Pupils celebrated their school’s diamond anniversary with a special picnic and spring bulb planting. Clarkson Infant School in Wisbech is now 60 years old and has organised a host of activities to mark this milestone. Youngsters planted bulbs at the front of the school and also contributed to a new mosiac. They also enjoyed a celebratory picnic in the school hall. Headteacher Dr Susan Dowling said the children had enjoyed the celebrations. She said: “They were really excited about the picnic and loved making the mosaic tiles.”

It was when rain stopped play during a cricket match on Coronation Day 60 years ago that Derrick King first met his future wife, Joan.

A charity which helps isolated older people is appealing for volunteers.

A weak cat had to be put down after being dumped on the doorstep of a March veterinary surgery in a canvas bag.

Police have arrested a man following an incident at the George Campbell Leisure Centre in March.