Review of 2020 - a year like no other - here we look back on the most recent months
As we continue to look back on the last 12 months in an online series of reviews, we turn our attention to October, November and December.
The recent months continue to be dominated by the coronavirus, with a second national lockdown in November.
The current three word slogan to help us remember the rules is "Hands" "Face" "Space". Facemasks have been in place since late summer and they have become second nature to most as we venture out to shops and other enclosed spaces.
The introduction of a tier system and first the delight of a Christmas amnesty allowing families to gather across the country for five days of festive fun - only for those hopes to be dashed at the last minute as news that cases of the virus are spiralling in some areas.
A new fourth tier was introduced putting some areas of the country under really strict rules and confirmation that a new more easily transferable strain of covid-19 was to blame.
It has not all been doom and gloom, there was a huge national sigh of relief earlier this month when the first vaccine for the virus was first approved and then swiftly started to be rolled out to the most vulnerable.
Further hope is on the horizon as to further vaccines are expected to become approved and ready for use shortly.
Among the first to have the jab in Fenland was Ray Hutchinson of Wisbech, who could hardly contain his delight at having the first of his two injections. He is urging everyone to take up the jab and said it was no different to the many other innoculations he has undergone in his life-time.
October
Making the headlines at the start of this month was news that Fenland District Council was calling on the Government to re-think proposed changes to house building targets.
The council's leader Councillor Chris Boden described Fenland's potential target as "ridiculous and completely unachievable".
In fact if the Government had its way Fenland would need to build enough new houses to fill three towns the size of Chatteris. Something Coun Boden said was impossible in an area like Fenland dominated by flood risk areas and financial viability issues.
Respected dog rescuer Mary Higgins of Gorefield was facing a hefty fine, but more importantly the loss of all but one of her 14 dogs after losing a lengthy battle with Fenland District Council after failing to comply with a Noise Abatement Notice issued five years ago.
Mary, 70, was upset at a court's decision to impose a five year anti-social behaviour order against her, and to order her to find new homes for her numerous rescue dogs. People rallied to her side, and most of the dogs were found new homes to see out their days.
Happier news this month was the revelation that Asda delivery driver Geoff Norris, from Wisbech, was among those honoured by the Queen in her annual birthday honours.
Geoff was awarded the MBE for his work to help Fenland's most vulnerable during lockdown by spending his own time shopping for those who were shielding and delivering it to their homes.
He said at the time: "I was absolutely gobsmacked - I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would receive such an honour. I feel blown away by it to be honest."
School half-term week saw businesses and many individuals lining up to ensure vulnerable children across the district could be fed during the break after the government announced it would not be extending the free school meals for the holiday period.
November
A Fenland venue that once hosted names like the Rolling Stones and Shirley Bassey was said to be facing the possibility of a new lease of life if a multi-million pound project got the go-ahead.
But the public was needed to help Wisbech Corn Exchange Conservation Trust bring the scheme to fruition by showing support for the idea and also coming up with suggestions of what they would like to see the building on North Brink used for.
The move came after it was revealed the Architectural Heritage Fund had awarded £15,000 to the trust to look at the viability of restoring and reopening the historic building.
This was the month that Wisbech said farewell to not one but two of its war time heroes.
Former teacher Henry Wagner, who was the sole survivor after his Lancaster bomber was shot down over Holland in 1944, died at the age of 97 and hundreds of his former students paid tribute to him.
Henry was well-known in the town because of his war time exploits which saw him on the run behind enemy lines for a time after parachuting to safety from his doomed plane.
A few weeks later the town would be mourning the loss of D-Day veteran Ronald Sanderson who died at the age of 94.
November is traditionally the time for remembrance as the country marks Armistice Day with ceremonies and services.
But covid-19 restrictions as a result of the second national lockdown meant all towns and villages had to scale back their Remembrance Day commemorations.
One school revealed that while singing was banned in classrooms its pupils had been enjoying their music lessons and learning a new skill at the same time.
To get around the vocal singing ban children at Friday Bridge School swapped their musical instruments (also banned because of fears over spreading the virus) for learning sign language and performing using their hands instead of their voices.
It had proved a huge hit with the children and their parents and the school's headteacher Sophie Foston said it was such a success there were plans to keep it going even after the pandemic is over.
After months of being unable to have visits one Fenland care home opened a special visitors room to allow friends and family to have contact with residents safely.
Hickathrift House at Marshland St James has opened a room which partitioned off so families can still enjoy visits but without the fear of spreading the virus. A move that attracted a lot of support from social media users.
It was also announced this month that March could soon be getting an Aldi supermarket with operators launching a public survey asking local people for their views on plans to build a purpose built store at Hostmoor.
There was also happy news for dog owners reunited with their missing pet after six years. Simon and Caroline Hall had given up all hope of ever finding their cocker spaniel Bonnie, who was stolen from their Durham Farm in May 2014.
But on November 21 the pair were reunited with Bonnie after she was found 200 miles away wandering in Wisbech Town Park.
December
And to the final month of the year. The start saw a group of March residents demanding answers as their homes slowly sink on one of the oldest roads in the town.
Years for fighting, with the support of Councillor Jan French, saw Cambridgeshire County Council's highways carry out excavations in West End to discover a possible root cause for the subsidence.
But despite the high hopes, the families: Rachel and Terry Redhead, Chris and Tessa Stone and Bob Parker - are still without any answers.
There was an air of expectation as Fenland Formula One driver George Russell was given a dream opportunity in the penultimate race of the season by stepping in champion Lewis Hamilton's seat after he had to step down after he tested positive for covid-19.
The 22-year-old former Wisbech Grammar School pupils made a great start, but it was not to be as bad luck struck in the final few laps of the race, cruelly robbing him of a potential first place.
There was good news for Chatteris when it was revealed the town's much-loved Empress Pool had been saved for residents with the signing of a new 15-year leased.
It had been under threat after it was put up for sale last year, but a lack of a buyer brought renewed hope and the board of trustees worked hard to negotiate the lease, which means whatever happens to the building the pool is secure at least until 2035.
This year has seen many stories of people, groups and communities pulling together to help each other, especially the vulnerable get through the troubling times of the past 12 months.
And this month there was one more tale of generosity with the launch of a 'baby bank' in March aimed at helping families struggling because of the virus.
The 'baby bank' which is held at St Peter's Church Hall on Friday mornings was the brainchild of Rachel Green and saw numerous other mums joining her to help those in need and many more offering essential items too.
Now 2020 is almost over the people of Fenland can look back on a year like no other and be proud of what has been achieved by so many in the most adverse of conditions.
Who knows what 2021 will bring, but there is hope on the horizon as the vaccination programme continues.
But until then remember "Hands" "Face" "Space" - and keep you and your loved ones safe.
