News from around Fenland
COLDHAM
Dog show and agility competition
The Coldham Residents Action Group annual dog show and agility competition was held on May 23 and 24 at Coldham playing field.
Some £1,977.00 was raised, before expenses, for the upkeep of the playing field and community building.
Competitors came from as far as Lincolnshire, Suffolk, Northampton, Norfolk, Essex and Staffordshire. The agility was judged by Gareth Jones, Tony Ryman, Christina Williams, Hayley Howatt and Hayley Wilson.
Helpers included David Brand, John Brand, Daphne Brand, Nev Hopkin, Chris Jones, Patty Harris, Paul Pykett, Louise Pykett, Kevin Wells and Kay Wells.
Heidi Mote from Tesco, Wisbech, helped and gave a donation. The agility equipment was loaned by Tish Agility and Wagtails. The dog show was judged by Jeanine Bryans. Stewards were Judy Sebert and Janet Wellfare.
Best in show was Buddy, a curly coated retriever owned by Mr Ellinor from Long Sutton. Reserve best in show was Abbey, a Tibetan terrier owned by Megan Cooper, from Boston. Best puppy in show was Bella, a Wiemarana owned by Sarah Jane Hooper from March. Best trick was won by Sasha with owner Alex Callaby from Hunstanton.
ELM
All Saints’ Church
Winners of the 200 Club are: Mrs D Clarke and V Wright, £6 each.
EMNETH
WI
June’s meeting was an interesting night where members learned about various flower and foliage shrubs from speaker Mr Stuart Limpus.
Sue Lock gave a report on the visit to Wisbech Museum and Octavia View.
Birthdays this month are Olive Graham, Elizabeth Simmonds and Sue Lock.
Refreshments were by Sue Lock and Betty Jermey who made some lovely cakes. Competitions, flower of the month and letter, were both won by Margaret Hitch.
Next month is the mystery outing.
FENLAND
Royal Society of St George
The annual meeting took place at Mendis, Wisbech, on Tuesday, June 2.
Officers elected for 2015/16 were – chairman Rhys Williams, vice-chairman Brian Kierman, secretary and treasurer Wendy Lyons, almoner John Smith and press officer Peter Dennis.
The chairman thanked members for their support during a difficult year.
Membership now stands at 35. The aim of the new year is to increase membership, awareness of the branch and be active with other organisations within the town.
The branch will again present the Annual Cup for The Wildlife Cottage Garden.
On November 5 29 members will be travelling to London to meet the Society’s vice-president Cliff Trowse, who will take them to the Tower of London for a privileged guided tour of the Yeoman Warders’ private club to see the ceremony of the keys and to enjoy a supper with the Beefeaters.
It is also planned during October to have a joint evening with another organisation in the town, yet to be confirmed. Vice-chairman Brian Kierman presented the branch with a members’ handbook and a set of rules.
Dates of future meetings are August 4, October 6 and December 2, all at Mendis, commencing at 7pm.
Any person wishing to join will be welcome to attend.
Isle of Ely
WI Federation
Members enjoyed their whist and luncheon tournament in Tower Hall, Friday Bridge. It was well supported by branches from across the Isle. Val Ware, federation chairman, welcomed everyone.
Barbara Smart and Janet Orvis, leisure and sports chairman, also welcomed people. Val and Barbara shared the MC duties. In the kitchen, Sheila, Janet and Beryl prepared the lunch.
Congratulations go to the winners. Winner of the shield was Val Ware, Tydd St Giles WI. Janet made the presentation. Val will receive a miniature to keep at the council meeting.
The other winners were: Sue Selby, of Marshland St James, Betty Stone, of March Morning, Margaret Playford, of Doddington, Betty Smith, March St Mary’s, Margaret Patterson, Doddington.
Barbara and Lorna sold raffle tickets and Vivien did the register.
Janet thanked all the helpers, particularly the ladies in the kitchen, plus everyone for coming.
Thanks to Steve Curtis, Emneth butcher, for supplying the ham.
Anyone who is interested in taking part in the WI’s leisure and sports activities is welcome to join.
MARCH
March Stone Cross WI
March Stone Cross held their monthly meeting at Trinity Church Hall, March.
The President welcomed two guests. After business the resolution was discussed and a vote taken.
Members enjoyed a ploughman’s supper prepared by the committee, followed by a Beetle Drive.
Competition results – Nad Stoker 10, Pat Day 9, Val Stacey 8 and Margaret Barnham, Carole Goodyear, Linda Higgins, Doris Beckwith and Audrey Goodyear 7.
Raffle winners were Doris, Linda W, Joan, Nad, Linda H and Carole.
The next meeting is on June 11 at 7pm at Trinity Church, March, when members will be enjoying a game of curling. Visitors and new members always welcome. Refreshments available.
March Society
The society’s eighth AGM will take place on Wednesday, July 8, at 7pm in March Library.
New committee members are welcomed. The speaker will be March historian Edna Stacey on ‘Memories of March in WW2’. Everyone is welcome.
WALSOKEN
All Saints’ Church
Vestry Hour is on Wednesday at 6.30pm in the church to arrange weddings, baptisms, banns, etc.
Services this week: Sunday 8am Holy Communion and 10.30am Family Service. All welcome.
The annual flower festival runs on June 13-17. The theme this year is ‘Wonders of the Heavens’. The church will be open daily from 10am-4pm (Sunday noon-4). There will be a plant stall, cakes, refreshments, tombolas, gifts, etc. Lunches available.
A concert by Phil Wait and Bert Harris, with songs across the decades, takes place on Saturday, June 13, 7.30pm.Tickets £3. Community Hog Roast, June 19, 6.30 for 7pm. Tickets £8.50, book early to avoid disappointment on 01945 587952. All welcome.
Pet service, June 21, at 4pm followed by strawberries and cream. Please feel free to bring your pets to join in.
The next coffee morning is on Friday, June 19, at 10am in the community room in the church. Everyone welcome.
Cubs meet at St Peter’s Junior School on Wednesdays at 6.30pm, term-time only.
Beavers meet at the Village Hall on Thursdays at 6pm, term-time only.
WISBECH
Royal British Legion
Standard bearer training is being organised by Wisbech Royal British Legion in July.
This training will be general but focussed at Remembrance Day Parade requirements.
Contact the branch secretary, Jim Wharrier, on 01945 583750 or jimwharrier@gmail.com
Arthritis Club
At the May meeting chairperson Mavis Shailes welcomed everyone to the meeting. It was nice to welcome back Joan, who had returned as a member to the club.
Special guest for the afternoon was comedian and entertainer Pat Nearney. The entertainment was in two parts with a break in the middle for refreshments, which were served by Brenda and helpers. It was a great afternoon and Mavis thanked Pat for visiting the club.
The raffle was organised by Freda and Janet. Lucky numbers were selected by Mavis and Sylvia.
The next meeting is at 1pm on June 17 at the Rosmini Centre, and everyone is welcome.
Fishing tackle sale
Richard Barnwell, of Clifford Cross Auctions Ltd, conducted a fishing tackle sale on Wednesday.
A total of over 200 lots were offered for sale. Main prices included – a Napier fisherman’s box with a number of floats, etc, and stabilising poles £54; a Hardy House of Hardy fly fishing rod £45; a Mitchell reel 33102 and spool and a Mitchell 300 reel 50th Anniversary limited edition £40; an Avon Trotter reel with spare handles £25; a framed coloured print depicting “The British Record Barbel caught by 4 well-known anglers – the fish was known as The Traveller” £25; a crate containing a large quantity of fishing accessories, floats, hooks, feeders, boxed flies, etc., £25; a Maver 10m H15 reedless plus top section £24; a quantity of accessories for Maver box 179 £22; a quantity of accessories for Maver box 180 £20; a Browning Aggressor whip 600 £20; a Hardy brass Alnwick fly fishing reel and 2 others £20; a fisherman’s collapsible tackle trolley £18; three containers containing a quantity of flies £16; a Daiwa 13ft Graphite match rod; a Sundridge fishing box with seat and large wheels and stabilizers £16; a Nash Daddy Longlegs fisherman’s adjustable chair £16; an antique split can 4-section rod made by P.D. Malloch, of Perth, together with an antique mahogany and brass fly fishing reel £16; a V12 fly rod 9ft (as new condition) £15; two wooden boxes containing a quantity of fly fishing fly ties £14; Daiwa 740 fly fishing reel and Olympic 450 fly fishing reel £14; Riley Canal box £14.
The next specialist auction will be a boat and caravan sale on Wednesday, August 5.
UPWELL
Football Club
The AGM is on Friday, June 19, at Upwell British Legion, 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
