March Society shares how much town has changed over years at talk

A talk outlining major historical events that brought changes to the town was given to The March Society by chairman Jennifer Lawler.

Archaeological findings around the Wimblington Road area have shown evidence of activities in March dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages.

Discoveries made in the north and south of the town reveal that this area was very important to the Romans – they attempted to control flooding with limited success.

By the 11th century much of March was owned by the Bishops of Ely and Bury St Edmunds. March was part of the Manor of Doddington.

The bishops planned the diversion of the River Nene and dug canals to aid drainage and the waterways were used to transport produce grown on the monasteries’ land.

The settlement of Mercheford developed around the river. Jennifer touched on the huge drainage efforts in the 16th and 17th centuries and the use of the river with the port in March to transport more goods.

By the 18th and 19th century, the effects of Enclosure and Drainage Acts had encouraged many people to come and work on the farmland.

The population of March increased dramatically and further increased when the railways developed.

Overcrowding, lack of housing and inadequate drainage and sanitation contributed to the 1849 outbreak of cholera in March.

By the late 19th century, the growing population resulted in Doddington Parish being divided up into seven new parishes including three in March and three new churches were built.

Rapid change in the 20th century includes the building of the town hall, Electric Palace cinema, the Coronation fountain, the Hippodrome, Whitemoor Marshalling Yard, footbridges over the River Nene, and March Bypass. March’s Broad Street has recently been transformed following central government funding.

The March Society’s next talk will be on Wednesday, June 18 at 7pm at March Library, on the topic of ‘Gardening with Wildlife in Mind’ with Iain Webb, community conservation officer of the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants.

Iain’s talk will cover the few simple features that will help get your garden buzzing with life and show how doing the best for wildlife in your garden goes far beyond your gates.

Everyone is welcome, and there will be refreshments. For members it is £2, and is £3 for visitors.