What’s happening in Fenland
CHATTERIS
Chatteris U3A
The June meeting was held at the King Edward Centre, Chatteris.
Following the address of the chairman, Elwyn Wakefield, giving information about forthcoming interest group activities and proposed trips, he introduced Tony Howden, who gave a very entertaining talk about his career as a locksmith.
The next meeting will be held on July 16 at the King Edward Centre, starting at 10am, when the speaker will be from the charity TroopAid, which supplies immediate help to troops returning from battle zones with no personal belongings.
All donations of clothing, toiletries and other items will be most gratefully received. Chatteris U3A looks forward to welcoming anyone who wishes to come along.
For further enquiries call 07716 858 286 or see www.u3asites.org.uk/Chatteris
Chatteris WI
The June meeting was held at Twin Tarns, the NGS garden owned by Mr and Mrs Mike Robinson in Somersham.
The garden was beautiful and peaceful and members were able to wander round at their own pace.
After spending time in the garden they collected in the conservatory for newly-baked scones, home-made jam, tea and coffee. President, Brenda Church, chaired the evening’s business and members signed up for various forthcoming events.
Brenda gave an account of the WI’s Centenary Garden Party at Buckingham Palace which she had attended earlier in June and Susan Kightly gave her report on the NFWI’s centenary AGM at which she had been a delegate.
The next meeting is at 7pm tomorrow (Thursday) at the King Edward Centre in Chatteris. The speaker will be Roy Norman on “Clocks in action”. For further details contact the secretary, Dorothy Davies, on 01354 695664.
Chatteris Come and Be Heard
The group welcomed Derek Harris as the speaker at their monthly meeting. Derek performs one-man shows around the Fens, basing his talks and songs on the theme of canals, which are his passion.
Dressed in the barge man’s working outfit, Derek gives an informed talk about the life and customs of the characters of “the cut”, as the canals are referred to. Typical songs from that way of life accompany his talk and the audience is invited to join in.
Everyone found it a most interesting and enjoyable afternoon.
Numbers were taken for the August outing to Dent’s Garden Centre near Downham. The next meeting will be the annual cream tea on Friday, July 31.
Elm
All Saints’ Church
200 Club – winners were Mrs J Cox and Zak Peacock,who won £6 each.
Elm WI
The group had a preserve stall, with home-made products, organised by Nina, Zoe, Barbara St and Jeanette, at Elm garden fete, raising money for Elm WI funds. Marjorie supervised the raffle.
The outing to Pretty Potteries in Norfolk Street, Wisbech, was very much enjoyed, with a buffet supper, organised by Nina. Thanks go to all of the members involved and helping to make both events successful and enjoyable.
The next meeting is members’ night on July 20 at 7pm in Elm Community Centre.
EMNETH
WI
July is mystery outing month for Emneth WI. Members went to a surprise workshop and afternoon tea at Sprinkle Twinkle.
They had a craft afternoon making cards, followed by cake, scones, clotted cream and strawberries.
Doris White celebrates her birthday this month and members sang happy birthday to her.
Next month’s meeting is on August 6 with speaker Mr Welbourne. The letter competition will be M.
FENLAND
Breathe Easy Fenland
The support group for anyone in the Fens affected by lung problems – patients, family, or friends – held their monthly meeting on Thursday at St Peter’s Church Hall, March.
Despite the heat-wave, 18 members welcomed Dr Kevin and Mrs Jessica Auton, of Aseptika, who gave details of their technological project, easily used by all members, who want to predict the date at which emergency medicine is required before the onset of lung disease exacerbations and, so, avoid tiresome and expensive hospital visits.
They will be returning to a future meeting to tell more about their devices and web-based tools to help long-term lung disease patients to be active and stay healthy, etc.
During the afternoon the group was visited by Coun Rob Skoulding, the Mayor of March, and they were pleased to give him a cheque for £500 towards his Mayoral objective of providing several heart defibrillators across March.
The next meeting will be on August 6. If you would like to join, or for details of future meetings, please ring Sylvia on 01354 651821. Membership is free and you will be very welcome.
MARCH
March Stone Cross WI
The group held their June meeting at Trinity Church Hall.
Audrey Goodyear gave a report of her day at the Buckingham Palace Garden Party and also the WI Annual General Meeting at the Royal Albert Hall.
Members enjoyed a game of curling which was won by Audrey. The booby prize went to Diana and Linda.
Competition results –Joan Perring 10, Val Stacey 9, Audrey Goodyear and Margaret Barnham 8 and Linda Higgins, Pat Day, Carole Goodyear, Diana Hall and Nad Stoker 7.
Raffle winners were Joan, Linda H, Nad, Jeanette, Gwyneth, Linda W and Diana.
Next month’s meeting is tomorrow (Thursday) at Trinity Church Hall at 7pm when the speaker will be Christopher South from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. New members and visitors always welcome. Refreshments available.
March Cruising Club
Saturday, June 27, saw the club’s first barbecue of the season.
Held on the waterfront of March RBL Club, the event was well attended.
The next meeting of MCC will be on Saturday (July 11), at March RBL Club, 12.30pm for 1pm. Existing and potential members all welcome.
Sunday, July 12, will be the club’s birthday party, again held on the waterfront.
Beginning at 1pm, the event will consist of a lamb roast, live music, raffle and licensed bar.
Everyone welcome, no admission fee, but only alcohol purchased at the RBL bar may be consumed on the premises and must be in plastic glasses.
Tydd St Mary
Friendship Club
The club held their fortnightly meeting in the Village Hall on Thursday.
Chairman David Beeton welcomed 33 members and friends from Sutton Bridge and elsewhere to lunch.
Birthday greeting were sent to Margaret Hines.
Games of cards and bingo were played. Caller for bingo was Mavis Giggins.
The raffle, organised by David assisted by Shirley and Mavis was drawn. Winners were Mollie Leonard, Barbara Hallam, Jackie Harding (SB) Jenny Good, (SB) and Mavis Giggins.
Lucky squares was organised by Edna Payne. Winners were; Jackie Hull (SB), George Goody, Cyril Collins, Mollie Leonard and Dorothy Speechley (SB).
Goods donated by members were auctioned by David assisted by Shirley Spring and Arthur Leonard, the funds raised going to support the club.Many thanks to those who brought goods for sale and those who purchased them.
It was good to see Arthur and Mollie back following Mollie’s hip replacement. It was equally pleasing to have friends from Sutton Bridge to enjoy the meeting.
Members were reminded that the next outing will be to Wroxham Barns, then on to Horning for a trip on the Broads on July 30. Seats may be available, ring David on 01945 420 654 nearer the date.
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 Family Service. All welcome.
The next coffee morning is on Friday, July 17, 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
Model Railway Club
The club’s model railway now has its Coopers shed completed.
It was built by club members Alan Earle and Richard Stowe and features a fully-detailed interior and working lights and furnace. The roof on this model can be removed so that the details inside can be seen.
Gerald Cross has been busy modelling walling for the station platforms. Members have also been busy detailing a street scene as well as painting figures for the platforms.
Club member Ron Pointer has an article published in the July issue of Garden Rail about the gauge one GWR locomotive he has recently completed.
The club meets on Monday nights in the upper room of the St Peter’s Church Hall, Wisbech, 6.45-9pm.
n You can email reports of your group’s meetings to news@fenlandcitizen.co.uk