Neighbourhood news from Fenland
Fenland
Breathe Easy Fenland
The support group for anyone in the Fens affected by lung problems – patients, family, or friends – held their annual meeting on Thursday at St Peter’s Church Hall, March.
A total of 26 members were entertained by Johnny Dee of BBC Cambridgeshire during the break.
Fresh Air Awards were given to four members of the committee – Don and Bette Bradshaw, Louisa Croxton and Angela Sexton – for their outstanding help during the past year.
The next meeting, on September 3, will feature a member of the management from Aseptic, who will to tell members more about their self-monitoring devices and web-based tools to help long-term lung disease patients to be active and stay healthy.
Visitors from Breathe Easy King’s Lynn and Peterborough are expected to attend.
If you would like to join, just come along at 1.45pm, or ring Sylvia on 01354 651821 for more information. Membership is entirely free and you will be welcomed by a most friendly group of people with the same lung problems as you. They aim to help you to live with lung disease – they are a happy group – why not give them a try?
Fenland Belles
The committee organised a tapas and all things Spanish evening for the July meeting.
Wendy Hitcham arrived in full traditional costume and gave a demonstration of Spanish movements and dancing. Members joined in with the castanets and dance movements. Jacqui Huggins thanked Wendy.
Members sat down to varied tapas dishes and sangria. Gill Howell gave out the quiz sheets. Hilary Kidger ran the business. The mystery trip had been a success, organised by Jacqui and Hilary.
The next meeting will be on Thursday when Annette Coates will talk about the Inca trail in Peru. For more information call Hilary on 01945 589508 or Jacqui on 880959.
Fenland branch Royal Society of St George
Brian Kierman, vice-chairman, welcomed members to the August meeting at Mendis, Wisbech.
Membership of the branch now stands at six single and 17 joint members. On Sunday, September 6, at St Peter’s Church, members will attend a service when the branch’s new flag will be dedicated. Member David Addington hopefully will officiate the ceremony. Wisbech Sea Cadets will also be in attendance.
On November 5 32 members will visit the Tower of London for a private reception. It was proposed to approach Wisbech Sea Cadets to organise a Christmas disco on Saturday, December 12.
A presentation was made to Wisbech Mayor Coun David Hodgson of a certificate from headquarters which will make him an honorary member during his year of office. This is the first presented in the world by the Society.
The design of the branch’s flag and rule book will hopefully be the blueprint for all branches in the UK.
The branch will be in the parade and at the church service for Remembrance Day on Sunday, November 8.
The next meeting is on Tuesday, October 6, at 7pm at Mendis. Anyone wishing to join may attend this meeting.
Friday Bridge
Women’s Institute
Angels, shoes and handbags were on this month’s agenda.
The competition was A for angel. Entries from Brenda and Hilda were given full marks. Congratulations to Janet W on reaching 40 points.
Shoes and handbags in bright summery styles and colours featured in Clare Ashmead’s talk about her shoe shop. She explained why she had called it The Queen’s Shoes.
Margaret and Hilda won the competition to find as many four or more letter words from the word ‘celebrations’. They found eight.
Hazel took names for the carpet bowls tournament and other events. The teams have entered the Federation quiz.
In her closing remarks vice-president Connie Gravett thanked Joyce for the flowers (all from Joyce’s garden) and Joan and Janet for refreshments. Reminders were given about the outing to Gressenhall Farm Park celebrating the WI Centenary and the August visit to the Lavender Mill and True’s Yard.
Gorefield
Macmillan FC
We have been asked to point out that the band One-Off also played during the Macmillan FC 24-hour sponsored match at Gorefield Playing Field on July 24.
Gorefield Ladies
Gwen Harrington welcomed members to the July meeting. Ali Newman demonstrated the art of Zentangle, a relaxing and fun way of drawing structured patterns.
Members then made their own creative Zentangle. Refreshments were served by Marion Fisher and Barbara Mitchell and Ali was thanked for her demonstration which she prepared at short notice, as the original speaker was unable to attend.
The next meeting is on Wednesday, August 26, when members will visit Quanock Gate House and Garden.
March
March St Mary WI
The president welcomed members and guests from Welney WI to the annual garden party and strawberry tea. They were able to hold games of pentagule, jenka and quoits outside.
They went inside for sandwiches, cakes and strawberries and cream. Prizes were given to the winners of the various games. Birthday cards to E England, A Frost and B White.
The competition was for an item in red. Points: Ede England, eight; Betty Smith, seven; Joan Mack, seven; Sue Selby, six; and Christine Wilson, six.
Dr Maureen James will be giving a talk on the Manea colony 1838-41 at the next meeting on September 10 in St Peter’s Church Hall.
Marshland St James
WI
Members enjoyed a garden party on Tuesday, August 4. After voting on the Resolution for 2016, welcoming new members and discussing plans for next month, members played Garden Connect 4 and giant dominoes and enjoyed delicious food prepared by the treasurer.
The next meeting will be held at the Jubilee Hall, Smeeth Road, at 7pm on Tuesday, September 1, when the speaker will be Simon Prior from ‘Framin’Art’ an independent shop in Downham Market.
Members look forward to an enjoyable evening with this very witty speaker and, as ever, new members will be made very welcome.
Leverington
Friendship Club
Vice-chair Phyl Lynch opened the meeting.
Birthdays were celebrated for Ben Pratt and Gwen Singleterry. Gwen received flowers on her special birthday.
Flowers were also presented to Maggie Poole, who with her husband Maurice celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.
Kath Wersching auctioned goods donated by members. Winner of the football was Norma Bailey. Raffle winners were, Kath Wersching, Maggie Poole and Janet Luff.
Bingo caller was Ben Pratt and winners were Edna Brittain, Sylvia Neill, Carol Leet and Norma Bailey.
Cupcakes and drinks provided by Gwen were served by Carol Leet, Vera Jackson and Val Fernee, assisted by Jo Parkinson and Sylvia Giles.
The trip to Wells-next-the-Sea is tomorrow, first pick-up in Leverington Common at 10am. The next meeting will be on August 19 at 2pm.
Leverington Jazz Club
The club met on Sunday at Leverington Sports Club.
A six-piece live band entertained – The 5 Counties Jazz Band with Gary Wood trumpet, Tony Teale clarinet and sax, Derek Clemshaw trombone, Sean Moyses banjo guitar, John Sirrett bass and Nigel Smith drums.
For further details about the club call Dave/Sheila Dyer on 01945 588325.
Parson Drove
Chapel
The chapel is hosting a Macmillan Cancer Support World’s Biggest Coffee morning on Friday, September 25, from 10am to 3.30pm. All donations of cakes welcome. For more information call Casey on 01945 700276.
Walpole
Art and Craft Club and Rainbow Quilters
The two groups, who meet in Walpole St Peter Village Hall, are jointly producing a ‘Festival of Delight’ featuring joint handiwork – including every kind of craft, jewellery, knitting, crochet, tapestry, cross-stitch, beading, painting and patchwork, etc.
The display, plus live demonstrations, are in St Peter’s Church on Saturday from 11am-4pm. Tea/coffee and cakes will be on sale, plus a tombola. Donations are welcome in aid of the Village Hall. For further information call 01945 780783.
Walsoken
All Saints’ Church
Vestry Hour is on Wednesday at 6.30pm in the church to arrange weddings, baptisms and banns, etc. Services this week: Sunday 8am Holy Communion and 10.30am Morning Worship. All welcome.
The next coffee morning is on Friday at 10am in the community room in the church. Everyone welcome.
Wimblington
Fifty Plus Club
The next meeting will be on Tuesday and the speaker will be Liz Wright talking about the Donkey Sanctuary. Come along if this is of interest.
The September meeting speaker will be Jacqui Huggins on The Life, Times and Memories of a Fen Girl.
Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at Wimblington Parish Hall, Addison Road, from 2-4pm. If you think you might be interested in joining the club why not go along to one of the meetings for a ‘taster’ – you would be most welcome.
Contact Pat Hart on 01354 740654 for more details.
Wisbech
Wisbech Model Railway Club
The club’s layout now has its first signal in place. Richard Stowe has done a great job and has made it so it will be operational in the future.
He is now building a second signal and ground signals. Alan Earle has completed a working turntable on a non-scenic section of the layout so that club members no longer have to handle what can be delicate models.
NHS Retirement Fellowship
Some inaccuracies appeared last week. Members are not going to Hunstanton on August 12 and the next meeting is not on August 19, but on the last Wednesday of the month, as usual.
Wisbech Arthritis Club
Today members will be going to Hunstanton, boarding the coach at 10am at the Rosmini Centre. The next meeting will be at 1pm on Wednesday, August 19, at the Rosmini Centre and everyone is welcome.
Friends of the Wisbech Hospital
The AGM was held prior to the monthly meeting, with all the committee re-elected.
It was unanimously agreed to appoint Malcolm Bruce and Eileen Plater as co-chairs, making the vice-chairman post obsolete.
At the monthly meeting the treasurer reported income of £1,494.75. There was no expenditure. Gifts of white boards for Trafford and overbed trolleys for Peckover were approved.
Plans were discussed for the flower arranging evening on September 25, ‘Flora, Food and Fizz’, with arrangements by Ann Purt and Platers the Butchers catering. Tickets can be reserved by phoning the hospital on 01945 488071.
Wisbech and District Flower Club
Members and guests attending the summer evening last month had a most enjoyable time with Mary Larham from the Manea School of Gardening. After her talk a quiz took place with members asked to list plants with girls’ names.
The next meeting is on Monday, August 17, at 7.30pm in St Peter’s Church Hall, with Adele Kent from Norwich. Her theme is ‘Take an old bag shopping’. More details from Yvonne on 581360. New members welcome.
