News
Wisbech St Mary Parish Council are replacing all 14 wooden benches in favour of new benches made of 100% recycled plastic incorporating the respective village name engraved on the top support rail. These benches are maintenance free, apart from an annual power wash to keep it looking in tip top condition.
The current benches were in urgent need of repair and painting so the Council decided that the best course of action was to replace all the wooden seats with the Hyde Park model featuring:
- Dense solid vandal resistant material – chip, crack and splinter proof.
- Easy to clean and low maintenance – no surface treatment or staining required
- Made to withstand harsh weather conditions all year round and will not rot
- Benches will last at least 5 times longer than most timber products.
Concrete bases will be laid w/c 13th September and benches bolted down two weeks after that.
NEW & REPLACEMENT BENCHES FOR 2021
HRH Prince Philip
Wisbech St. Mary Parish Council wish to express their deepest condolences to Her Majesty the Queen, members of the Royal Family and the extended members of the Royal Household on the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh.
If parishioners would like to lay floral tributes please do so at Guyhirn or Murrow War Memorial. In Wisbech St. Mary you can lay flowers either side of the path leading to the church. Please maintain social distancing when doing so.
To adhere to current Government guidelines there will not be a book of Condolences in the Parish, due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Instead we forward you to the Church of England online book where you can send wishes.
Church Gates get a makeover!
Some of you may have noticed that the Wisbech St Mary Church gates have disappeared for a few weeks?
No need to worry ……………….they have been taken away for a “makeover” courtesy of Wisbech St Mary Parish Council.
The story began with Cllr Mark Knight noticing that the gates were in a poor state of repair having passed them on his daily dog walk. After discussion with Cllr John Humphrey, the two Councillors decided to offer their services to refurbish the gates as they stood on site. However, after further thoughts it was suggested that a more professional finish would be obtained if they were shot blasted and primed by a specialist company.
At the last Parish Council Meeting a proposal was agreed to a grant to Wisbech St Mary PCC to fund the project to a cost of £420 on the understanding that Councillors would undertake the labour and support for the project.
As an important focal point in the village, it was felt that as a Parish Council we needed to take steps to preserve and improve these 110 year old cast iron gates for the benefit of our Community.
Interestingly, the gates were last repaired some 37 years ago by the village blacksmith and engineer, John Wilson and Son Engineers. David Wilson remembers his father undertaking the work and as a young man helped him re-hang the gates back in 1983.
So, what better man to help with the project!
On 17th March, the project team of Knight, Humphrey and Wilson assembled at the church gates. David’s oxy-acetylene bottles made short work of the task of removing the well rusted bolts. So, after a “breakfast of Weetabix for strength” the team lifted the gates onto a low trailer, kindly on loan from John Scrimshaw, for the journey to Bright Blast Cleaning in Terrington.
The gates were away for 3 weeks before being returned to the church for further work in applying the black and gold paint, including the metal overhang..
Bright Blast said that “they had never seen such a large set of cast iron gates in all their 30 plus years of trading. They are a true work of art although with time have developed a few cracks which makes the whole task a delicate one”
The duly shot blast and primed gates arrived were collected and re-hung at the church. Then came the task of painting them in a special toughed black and gold paint.
On Wednesday 14th April 2021 a formal handover to Revd Ryk Parkinson, Priest-in-Charge of Wisbech St Mary Parish, was made by Cllr David Wheeler, Chairman of Wisbech St Mary Parish Council. The handover was witnessed by Richard Gilbert and Anne Wallis (Church Wardens), David Wilson (Engineer) and Cllr’s John Humphrey and Mark Knight.
Revd Ryk said ” We are very grateful to the Parish Council for delivering back to us very smart newly painted gates and archway, a proud day for the village church”
Cllr David Wheeler
Chairman
Wisbech St Mary Parish Council
Murrow Pond/Pit
It has come to the Parish Councils attention that there have been walkers wandering onto the land surrounding the Murrow Pond (also known as Murrow Pit).
For parishioner’s information this land is privately leased to three residents whose property surrounds the pond, as garden allotments.
The decision was made by WSM Parish Council back in the 1980’s to contract this land out as allotments so the area would be looked after by the residents and therefore save the Parish Council money, and in turn save taxpayers money.
As this has been a long-standing agreement, the Parish Council decided to make notice that this is NOT a public amenity space and will be putting up a sign stating that and no access is allowed.
The Parish Council understands that due to COVID 19 people are looking for new places to walk to for exercise, or to just get out of the house, but as this is privately rented this cannot be accessed for leisure by anyone other than the leaseholders.
We hope you are all safe and well and adhere to the privacy of the lease holders.
Branch Temporary Closure – Wisbech St. Mary Post Office to view this literature in PDF – Click HERE
Guyhirn Roundabout Improvements
Starting February 2021 and projected to finish April 2022. Please find the PDF Version HERE
Census 2021 will provide a snapshot of modern society
Households across the Parish will soon be asked to take part in Census 2021.
The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941.
It will be the first run predominantly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique access code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on their computers, phones or tablets.
“A successful census will ensure everyone from local government to charities can put services and funding in the places where they are most needed,” Iain Bell, deputy national statistician at the Office for National Statistics, said.
“This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, schools and new transport routes. That’s why it is so important everyone takes part and we have made it easier for people to do so online on any device, with help and paper questionnaires for those that need them.”
Census day will be on March 21, but households across the country will receive letters with online codes allowing them to take part from early March.
The census will include questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. And, for the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Results will be available within 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations.
For more information, visit census.gov.uk.
For a PDF booklet of the community handbook – CLICK HERE
Please find below advice on Car Sharing during COVID-19 – Click HERE for PDF version
Remembrance Sunday this year under the recent lockdown.
All places of Worship are closed, except for funerals and private prayer. The following arrangements have been made for this Sunday, the 8th.
Track and trace details will be taken at the following four events.
St Paul’s Gorefield, 10-11am open for private prayer only, no service.
Masks are required to be worn in the church.
Parson Drove War Memorial 10:45am, an Act of Remembrance.
Murrow War Memorial 12noon, an Act of Remembrance.
Guyhirn War Memorial, 12:30pm, an Act of Remembrance.
A Full Service of Remembrance will be held on Zoom at 10:50am.
Access through the link below will be available from 10:30am.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6459250676?pwd=ZkdQd0ExVnA1aDBZWURPVDk4NWowQT09
Meeting ID: 645 925 0676
Passcode: 1KQmdC
Please, at all War Memorial services outside, respect and observe social distancing, and wear a mask if possible. Only a Minister and Wreath layers should approach each memorial.
“We Remember will them……….”
Wisbech St Mary Churchyard and Cemetery
Details of those who are laid to rest at Wisbech St Mary normally with a Common Wealth War Graves Common Headstone. Two are laid to rest in private graves with no inscription as to their Service. A Memorial inside the Church names those from the Parish who gave their lives, some being buried overseas. Each is remembered by a poppy cross placed on their grave.
WW1 1914-18
3674 Diggins A Private –Cambridgeshire Regt-Died 02/02/16-Aged 19 years
22707 Smith G Cpl – Essex Regt-Died 17/07/20-Aged 36 years
38680 Garner C Rifleman-Rifle Brigade-Died 20/03/1919-Aged 30 years
114161 Heath W Bombardier-Royal Field Artillery-Died 12/10/1916-Aged 19 years
WW2 1939-45
561769 J E J Flight Sgt-Royal Air Force-Died 15/09/1947-Aged 35 years
518563 Brighton A Sgt-Royal Air Force-Died 13/10/1940-Aged unknown
258233 Moyses T Private-Royal Army Service Corps-Died 08/03/1946-Aged 25 years
1451480 Barnes TC LAC- RAF (VR) – Died 13/05/1945 (Grave A36 No Service Inscript)
11416656 Warren AW Gnr-Royal Artillery-Died 17/07/1942 (Grave A2 No service inscript)
Have a look around your local Church Graveyard.
PARISH PLANTERS
Do you have green fingers? Then WE NEED YOU!
Could you look after and maintain a Parish Planter that is near to your home?
Please get in touch with the Parish Clerk!
There are funds available for plants.
The Parish Council would like to extend our gratitude to both Mrs Shirley Knight and Mr Simon Wakefield for keeping the planter at the Wisbech St. Mary Village Sign looking beautiful. Mrs Knight tends to the planter and the plants are donated by Mr Wakefield. Thank you both!
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WINTER HEALTH ADVICE – NHS
We’re here to help you stay well this winter
This winter, it’s really important that we all remember that the NHS is here to help you stay well, safely.
We have been working hard to make changes to how healthcare is provided to make it safe for you during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
If you’re worried about your health, don’t delay. The sooner you get advice, the better.
Depending on your symptoms, you can get advice from your local pharmacy, GP practice or NHS 111. For minor health concerns, your local pharmacist can help. GP practices offer remote consultations online or by phone, or if you need a face-to-face appointment, they will tell you what to do.
If you need medical help fast, think you need to go to an Emergency Department (A&E) or you’re not sure what to do, use NHS 111 first – online or by phone to get clinical advice or direction to the most appropriate services for treatment for you.
You can also help us to help you. If you are over 65, have a long-term health condition or are pregnant, it is more important than ever this year to ensure you have your free flu vaccination. Just speak to your GP or pharmacist to book an appointment. You can also find more information at www.nhs.uk/fluvaccine
Be sure to also stock up your medicine cabinet with winter self-care essentials too. Many over-the-counter medicines (including paracetamol and ibuprofen) are available to help relieve symptoms of common winter illnesses and you can find further information at www.nhs.uk
To help prevent further spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) please follow current Government guidelines for the area you live in at all times. If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus it’s important you get tested as soon as possible. You can apply for a test online via www.nhs.uk/coronavirus, or by calling 119.
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REMEMBRANCE DAY
They gave their tomorrows so we could have our today. Lest we forget.
The planter on Church Road, Wisbech St. Mary now displays a beautiful tribute to the fallen, added by Councillor John Humphrey.
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ONLINE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The Fenland Community Safety Partnership together with Cambs Police and the Cambs & Pboro Against Scams Partnership are Broadcasting an online community engagement event on the 20th August 2020 on the topic of:
Cyber Crime and Scams and are inviting Fenland residents to send their questions via the survey monkey Link below.
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/P6KX7Y6
Thank you for participating, this survey has now CLOSED.
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CORONAVIRUS
COVID-19 Helping Hands Support Group
For further local advice visit Fenland District Council website: https://www.fenland.gov.uk/coronavirus
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STREET LIGHTS
Most street lights within the Parish are owned by Wisbech St Mary Parish Council. There are 150 identified by letters and numbers on the column or pole e.g. FPC8. A few may be Fenland District Council, e.g. FDC 8, or Cambridgeshire County Council e.g. L6BIP (or the old reference e.g. CCC CCC8).
Parish councillors are aware that many people are concerned regarding street lights that are not working. Residents have reported 10 defective lights, Councillors have identified a further 15. So we have 25 defective out of a total of 150. Some of these have been replaced ahead of Phase 1 of the main contract commencing later this year.
The Parish Council were told by Fenland District Council that we needed to replace 89 street lights (approx. cost £106,800) as a matter of urgency. Parish Councillors thought this to be an unusually high number – they carried out inspections which confirmed their opinion. It appeared to councillors that routine scouting (checking lights were working), cleansing and minor maintenance had not been carried out for some considerable time.
Consequently the Parish Council engaged Electrical Testing Ltd (ETL) to carry out an independent assessment of our street lighting stock. As a result minor repair work has been completed extending the life of many units.
We are now working with ETL to adopt a strategy to replace our ageing lighting stock with modern LED lanterns. Work has commenced to assess each light to be replaced in Phase 1, materials will then be ordered. Replacements on the main arterial routes is schedulerd to commence later this year. A firm startting date will be publicised when confirmed.
We are sorry for the delay in repairing defects, however we are striving to redress a situation which was not of our making.
Updates on progress will be provided.
Please help us to ensure all out lights are working by reporting defects to us……………. click on ‘CONTACT US – Streetlights’ to report a defective light.
BUS SERVICE NO.46
We are fighting to keep this popular and essential service. We encourage all residents that use the service to write to Cambridgeshire County Council stating that you wish to see the Service 46 continued after August 2018.
You can view the current revised bus timetable by downloading a PDF copy here No. 46 Bus Timetable
HIGH ROAD DRAINAGE SCHEME –
WISBECH ST. MARY
Phase 1 of the project to install drainage pipes in front of nine bungalows in High Road, W St M by the North Level Internal Drainage Board is now complete.
The bungalows have suffered flooding in severe weather conditions for many years.
Phase 2 involves jetting out / repairing the pipes taking surface water from High Road, under the footpath into the new pipes.
All residents contributed to the Project along with a £5k grant from Wisbech St Mary Parish Council. The balance of cost is being met by North Level Drainage Board.
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