MANEA MATTERSPAGE 3 GROUPS COMMUNITY Manea Art Club You don't need to be able to paint to come along, just willing to give it a go. The Art Club meets every Monday morning, 10am to

ISSUE 64

winter

MANEAMATTERSBRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER

WinterWildlife Spectacle

The History of Father Christmas

Recycling Toothbrushes

Usef

ul C

onta

ct D

etai

ls

Cambridgeshire County Council Shire Hall, Castle Street, Cambridge CB3 0AP Tel: 0345 045 5200 www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk County Councillor: John Gowing [email protected] District Council Fenland Hall, County Road, March PE15 8NQ Tel: 01354 654321 www.fenland.gov.uk District Councillor: Charlie Marks Tel: 01354 680005 / 07789 925402 email: [email protected] Parish Council Email: [email protected] www.manea-pc.gov.uk

1 1 1

Usef

ul C

onta

ct D

etai

ls

Medical ServicesDoctors – Fenland Group Practice Manea Surgery, 4 Cathedral View, Manea PE15 0GN 01354 680774 www.maneasurgery.co.uk. Doddington Medical Centre, 11D Benwick Road, Doddington PE15 0TG Tel: 01354 740311 Wimblington Surgery, North Witchford Lodge, Norman Way, Wimblington PE15 OQB Tel: 01354 740311 www.doddingtonmedicalcentre.nhs.uk Minor Injuries Unit Doddington Hospital, Benwick Road, Doddington PE15 0UG Tel: 01354 637078Emergency Dental Treatment Church Mews Dental Access Centre, 1-4 Church Terrace, Wisbech PE13 1HL Tel: 01945 465919 NHS non-emergency helpline Call 111 for advice

Councils

Manea Community Primary School Station Road, Manea PE15 0HA Tel: 01354 680293 email: [email protected] www.manea.cambs.sch.uk Head Teacher: Miss N Froggatt Cromwell Community College Wenny Road, Chatteris PE16 6UU Tel: 01354 692193 email: [email protected] www.cromwellcc.org.uk Principal: Mrs J Horn Bsc(Hons), NPQH Neale-Wade Academy Wimblington Road, March PE15 9PX Tel: 01354 606000 email: [email protected] www.neale-wade.org Executive Principal: Mr J Wing

Education

Meeting Places/Room HireVillage Hall: Main Hall with stage and bar, kitchen, back room. Ann Pickering 01354 688418 Church Rooms: Large room with kitchen. Rosemary Hankins 01354 680585 Royal British Legion: Large function room with bar, also smaller side function/meeting room. Sheila 07854 014923

www.maneamatters.co.ukPAGE 1

PAGE 2

Contact us...Chairs:

[email protected]:

[email protected]:

[email protected]

FRO

M O

UR

CO

-CH

AIR

SAs you will have read in Manea

Matters 63, this issue covers four months to take us over the winter and to bring us in line with the seasons. Issue 65 will cover April through to June inclusive, so please start thinking about any articles which you would like to submit.

This isn’t a Christmas issue, but we are acknowledging the annual event with the History of Father Christmas (P15 & P16) – some interesting facts about our favourite elderly gentleman.

We are privileged in Manea to be on the flight path of the migrating Whooper swans and to hear them calling to each other as they roost at night. See P8 for news from the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) in Welney, which emphasises just how important the Ouse Washes are for migrating birds.

A decision was taken, at our meeting in October, to drop Manea Connect as a title – to avoid confusion – so we are simply Manea Matters from now on. Please note the change of website address to www.maneamatters.co.uk

With every good wish to all our readers from us all at Manea Matters (not forgetting Jan and Steve) for a Healthy and Happy 2020. As well as a big thank you to all of our volunteer Deliverers.Dianne Rowe & Pete Townrow Co-Chairs, Manea Matters Committee [email protected]

Useful Contact Details ............................ 01Community Groups ........................... 03-04Please tell us about your Group ............ 05Tesco Bags of Help ...................................06Healthwatch Cambridgeshire ................ 07Patients Participation Group Meeting . 08Ouse Washes Update ............................. 09Winter Wildlife Spectacle ....................... 10Onion Storage on the Farm ............. 11-12Recycling Toothbrushes ..........................13Recycling Writing Implements ...............14The History of Father Christmas .... 15-16Manea Archive ..........................................19Manea Orchard & Wildlife Area .............20Manea Parish Council ....................... 21-22 Noticeboard ........................................ 23-24Getting About & Under 5s ...................... 46

DEADLINE for the Spring edition is Friday 21st February 2020

Contents

The views and beliefs expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of Manea Matters Committee and

the Committee reserves the right to amend submitted items at its discretion. The Committee does not represent

or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any of the advertisements published within Manea Matters.

This magazine is published by the Manea Matters Committee and is delivered free to every household

within the Parish of Manea. An online version is also available at:

www.maneamatters.co.ukManea Matters Committee is a group of Manea

residents who work with the community to produce this quarterly magazine because Manea really does Matter.

Front cover image © www.flickr.com/photos/smileclick

DEADLINE for Issue 65 – Friday 21st February 2020 PAGE 2

MANEA M AT T E R SMANEA M AT T E R S

PAGE 3

GROUPSC O M M U N I T Y

Manea Art ClubYou don't need to be able to paint to come along, just willing to give it a go. The Art Club meets every Monday morning, 10am to 12.30pm in the back room of the Village Hall and is open to all people of any age and ability. It provides an opportunity to practice your skills in a social setting with others who can pass on tips, with occasional demonstrations and workshops run by local experts. With plenty of tea and coffee and the occasional cake, what better way to start the week. Contact: Just turn up.

Internet ClubAre computers and the internet a mystery to you? Want to learn the basics of working online and enjoy old fashioned social networking at the same time with other like minded people? The Internet Club meets every Wednesday morning, 9.30am to 12ish in the Church Rooms. Learn how to use email, write and print letters and documents and safely browse the internet with confidence. If you don't have your own, laptops can be provided for use during the session. A charge of £1 per session is made to help cover costs. Contact: Just turn up.

Manea History GroupThe group meets in the Village Hall back room, once a month on a Thursday evening and enjoys regular talks and presentations from visiting speakers on a variety of history-related topics. Everybody is welcome to come along, start time

is 7.30pm. There is an entry charge of £2.50 which includes tea and biscuits. 5th December - Mike Petty: 1947 floods in The Fens;16th January - Barbara Collins: Ely Cathedral 6th February - Amanda Carlin: Stonea CampContact: Ursula on 01354 680406.

Women's Institute (WI)

Manea Youth Club

Baby and Toddler Group

Not just Jam and Jerusalem, come along and give us a try - we may surprise you! We have a varied programme of speakers throughout the year, appealing to all ages and interests. There is also a monthly 'bring along an item' competition, just for fun. Meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm in the Church Rooms. Your first meeting is free, so you have nothing to lose... Contact: Steph Short on 01354 680913.

For ages 10 to 16 the Youth Club offers an evening out for young people with a wide range of fun activities, or just come along and hang out with friends. The club is funded by the Parish Council and run by Young People March. It meets every Tuesday evening in the Village Hall from 7pm. Weekly subscriptions £1.50 so come along and give it a try.First session 8th October.

For children aged 0 to 4 years with their Parents, Grandmas and Grandads, Child-minders etc. Everyone is welcome and the group provides a great opportunity to chat and network. Sessions run from 9.30am to 11.30am TERM TIME ONLY on Thursdays in the Village Hall. Cost per family per session is £2.00, which includes tea/coffee for parents/carers and a drink and healthy snack for children. Contact: [email protected] or just come along.


PAGE 4

Manea Over Sixties ClubDespite the name, you don't actually have to be over sixty to come along and enjoy a social afternoon. The club meets every fortnight on a Friday afternoon at 2pm at the Royal British Legion Club for fun and games and a chat over a cuppa in the company of friends. Contact: Just turn up.

Walk and Talk

Manea Afternoon Club

Manea Dinners

Royal British Legion Women's Section

Manea Allotments

Manea Silver Band

Sewing Group

Not a lot of walking, but plenty of talking! A social group for older people that meets every Monday afternoon in the back room of the Village Hall, 1.30pm to 3.30pm for tea, cake and conversation with genteel exercise, just to keep you moving, regular quizzes and memory games. Transport to and from the venue can be arranged. Contact: Jean Wells on 01354 680701 or Marlene Baker on 01354 680974.

Every 3rd Monday in the month. Come and join us for a cup of tea in the Village Hall Back Room. Start time 1:30pm.16th December: An arrangement of your own choice20th January: Our Annual meet17th February A Spring arrangement15th March A Dainty Posy. Contact Val on 01354 680600.

Manea Dinners are still providing excellent dinners for our guests at £4.50, which includes a main meal, dessert and endless beverages. Any excess cash goes back to our guests by way of free dinners, entertainment or gifts.If you wish to join us in the Village Hall on a Wednesday at 11.30am for a great meal in great company, then please come along. Anybody of any age will be most welcome, prior notice would be appreciated. Contact: Nicky on 01354 680818.

The Women's Section of the Royal British Legion hold their meetings at 7pm on the second Monday of each month in the back room of the Village Hall. New members are always welcome Contact: Joan Barber on 01354 680348.

Manea allotments (off Park Road) are now becoming well established. Allotments are still available and can be rented as a full or half plot and can be worked either singly or shared. Annual rents are £30 for a full plot and £15.00 for a half plot. The allotment association has an active social calendar and help, advice and guidance is available for new members. Contact: [email protected] Manea Allotment Association website is: www.maneaallotments.wix.com/community.

A group of musicians dedicated to bringing brass band music to local communities in a fun and entertaining way. The band is always looking for more members so if you are a player, a lapsed player or want to learn to play a brass instrument please come along. The band meets for practice on Monday evenings at the RBL with free lessons for learners from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and band rehearsal from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Why not give it a go - you may surprise yourself! Manea Silver Band has an ongoing programme of events, please visit our website www.maneasilverband.co.uk. Contact: Howard Roberts on 07920 776732.

First Thursday each month at 7:30pm in the Royal British Legion. No charges this year. Contact Steph on 01354 680913.



MANEA COMMUNITY GROUPS 2020

A New Year Resolution? We currently include details of 14 Community Groups in each issue. However, we are acutely aware that there are probably three times more groups than that in Manea who seldom, if ever, get a mention? We would like to change all that starting in Issue 65 - the Spring edition next year. The page layout will be very different in order to create enough space so that everyone can be included. If your group would like to be included please send us the following information and we will willingly include YOUR group: TITLE OF YOUR GROUP; ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION; THE DAYS AND TIME YOU MEET; WHERE YOU MEET and CONTACT DETAILS

If you haven't spoken to us at the Parish Council celebration, or if you are not usually mentioned in Manea Matters, then please contact us using [email protected] or by phoning Pete on 01354 680455.

For example:

TITLE: Walking GroupACTIVITY: A 1 to 2 hour walk around Manea public footpaths along with other scenic routes.WHEN: Thursdays at 10:00amLOCATION: The bench opposite the SchoolCONTACT: Linda xxxxx xxxxxx

We will willingly include

YOUR group


PAGE 6

TESCO BAGS OF HELP

AN UPDATE!

The past year has been great for the pupils of Manea Community Primary School, thanks to the support of friends and family of the school. Last year we

were awarded the top prize in Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme. The village came together to place their little blue tokens in the box to really support our school.We have used the grant to improve our Forest

school and outdoor learning provision to allow our children to access a wide range of experiences. The children have been able to find out about wood working tools from saws to hammers to drills! The activities the children have been able to take part in have really developed their growth mindsets and the ability of persevering to overcome challenges.

Your support has been amazing and we wish to thank you very much!

Frankie LentonMember of teaching staff at MCPS



PAGE 7

TELL US ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARE EXPERIENCES

Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough want to hear your recent experiences

of services in Fenland.We are the independent champion for people using local health and social care services. Our job is to listen to what people across the area have to say – good and not so good.Let us know where health and care services are working well and where they could be improved. The information you give us is logged and shared anonymously with the people who make decisions about local services and who can make change happen.

Struggling to find help or information? Healthwatch can help you find:

• health and social care services near to you• what to do if you have a concern or complaint• organisations that can give you help or advice.

Share your feedback and experiences• Use the online form at http://www.healthwatchcambridgeshire.co.uk/content/have-your-say• Call us on 0330 355 1285• Email: [email protected]• Text: 07520 635 176

‘Have your say’ opportunities near youJoin the Big Conversation about local healthcare funding. More people are using local services but staff and money are limited. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group, which buys services in the local area, needs the public's help to make sure it spends in the best way.

There’s a public meeting at March Community Centre on 10th December, 6 -7:30pm. You can also give your views in a paper/online survey closing on Friday 20th December. Details at https://www.cambridgeshireandpeterboroughccg.nhs.uk/get-involved/the-big-conversation

Come to Fenland Health and Care Forum – a chance to tell us what you think about local services - on Thursday 12th December, 10am-12noon at Queen Mary Centre, Queens Road, Wisbech PE13 2PE.

More details at http://www.healthwatchcambridgeshire.co.uk/fenland-health-and-care-forum


PAGE 8

FENLAND GROUPDOCTORSPRACTICE

Quarterly meetings of the Patient Participation Group are held where residents have the opportunity to raise issues, ask questions, and receive information about the practices within the Group.

I attended the May meeting, as I wanted to voice a number of issues, and found out that these meetings had not been held in Manea for some time due to the lack of attendance by Manea residents.

As a concerned resident I volunteered to arrange for one of their quarterly meetings to be held in Manea and it will be on:

Thursday 27th February 2020 at 2pm in the Church Rooms in Park road next to One Stop shop (the heating will be on!).

PLEASE PUT THIS DATE IN YOUR 2020 DIARY OR YOUR ELECTRONIC CALENDAR.

We don’t want Manea residents to be ignored because they haven’t

voiced their opinions.

Patient Participation Group

It is important that we have a high attendance at this session as it is our opportunity to highlight anything which is of concern. We don’t want Manea residents to be ignored because they haven’t voiced their opinions.

I am asking for a good turnout at this event, which is being held for our collective benefit.

Martin Hindry Email: [email protected]: 01354 680850

If you are unable to attend, or would like me to raise an issue on your behalf, please contact me, as above, either by email (preferably) or by phone – many thanks.

Please come to the meeting in Manea on Thursday 27th February 2020



PAGE 9

OUSE WASHES PROGRESS UPDATEOuse Washes Section 10 Works on behalf of the Environment AgencyWe are now coming to the end of the third year of construction. This year we have been working between Welney and the railway bridge and between Welches Dam and the A142 (Mepal).

With an evolving design and the material inconsistency on site, we have encountered areas of the bank that need more material. This additional work, along with periods of wet weather and the unplanned roadworks along the A10 and the A142, has resulted in the construction programme being extended.

Another challenge linked to the bank profile change is a space constraint in some areas, which means that smaller plant will need to be used, thus increasing the time to complete this section.

Welney to Railway BridgeWe will need to return next year to complete the bank works between Welney and the railway. We were planning to start construction of the Welney Barrier walls in 2020.

The finished bank at Welches Dam

We conducted road investigations and found service pipes and cables located within the area we need to build the barrier foundation, so we are liaising with the companies to discuss the solution in detail.

Railway Bridge to Welches DamWe have completed the haul road widening ready for next year’s work to start.

Welches Dam to Mepal A142We removed the bird hides to the south of Welches Dam for the bank works to be undertaken and we will replace and re-open to the public in the Autumn 2019. The footpath along the top of the bank will remain closed until Summer 2020 to allow the grass to establish.

The footpath diversion remains in place and diverted to the Low Bank until Summer 2021.

We removed the bird hides to the south of Welches Dam for the bank

works to be undertaken

PAGE 9

For anyone living along the Ouse Washes, winter days are punctuated by the familiar routine of swans flying in the early morning and the late afternoon.

The calls of whooper swans and Bewick’s swans can be heard as they travel from the wetlands they have roosted on overnight out to the fields, and back again. This is one of the only places in the UK you can reliably see all three species of swan found in the UK, including our resident mute swans.

The Ouse Washes host up to 80,000 birds between December and January as a variety of species escape colder climates – flocks of wigeon and lapwing are usually present in the biggest numbers, followed by the whooper swans.

However, some of the species that rely on the Ouse Washes in winter are not faring as well today as they have in the past. Bewick’s swans and pochard ducks have undergone population declines throughout Europe. Milder winters are giving the swans a chance to cope

with conditions further east in countries like Germany, where they still have access to open water and available food – saving on air miles. By communicating with a network of swan spotters, we are able to take part in

co-ordinated counts known as a ‘swan census’ to give an accurate picture of what is happening to Bewick’s swan numbers. Staff and volunteers from WWT Welney will be taking part in the next census in January 2020.

To find out more about the wildlife present throughout the year and events taking place at WWT Welney, visit the website at: www.wwt.org.uk/welney

Emma BrandWWT Welney

WINTER WILDLIFE SPECTACLE

Pair of Bewick's swans

Pair of whooper swans

Photos by Kim Tarsey

The Ouse Washes host up to 80,000 birds between December and January.

By communicating with a network of swan spotters, we are able to take part in co-ordinated counts

known as a swan census.



Allpress Farms is a member of a producer organisation called Greenshoots consisting of five local growers. Greenshoots erected a

purpose-built onion store at the Chatteris roundabout in September 2015. The store uses a specially developed ventilation system supplied by a Dutch company, Omnivent, and was built by Thurlow Nunn Standen Ltd. It is more efficient than conventional stores, and has solar panels across its wide expanse of roof that provide energy to the national grid which in turn allows for reduced electrical rates. This store is confidently managed by Jason Lea.

The store has the capacity for 6,444 onion boxes amounting to approximately 6,500 tonnes of onions, and is operational for up to eleven months of the year. Onions from

PAGE 11 PAGE 11

here end up for sale in Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Morrisons.

The onions are harvested and graded into boxes off-site to remove loose dirt and weeds. Lorries bring boxes of onions into the store through a specialised loading/unloading area. Up to three lorries can be in this area at any one time. Forklifts are then used to move the boxes to one of the four specialised storage areas. They are stacked in long rows – six boxes high – with a small gap between two rows which are then covered end to end with heavy duty sheeting, leaving a larger gap between the next two sets of rows. Humidity and temperature sensors are active in the stores. The stores are heated to 28°C and this warm air is sucked through the boxes to dry out the neck of the onion (where the leaves are). This high

ONIONS ON THE FARM

PAGE 11

PAGE 12 PAGE 12 Photographs courtesy of Emsephotography

temperature kills bacteria. If the humidity is too low; the onion will crack open. If too high; mould will occur. Left at ambient (outside) temperature, the onions would go mouldy and rot. The onions take six to eight weeks to dry and lose 10% to 15% of their original weight due to moisture loss.

Ambient air is then used to cool the onions down. Fans draw in the outside air which causes a vacuum that pulls the warm air out of the gap between the rows. Specialised construction of the store and design of the boxes allows for the free flow of the cool air and the onions are cooled in a uniform manner. There is a canopy that covers the exhaust flaps where the warm air is forced out, which stops it re-entering the store. This process is more efficient as, in a normal store, the onions nearer the fans would benefit more.

The onions need to be warmed up for transport to the processors. This is done in the warming bay, which is a smaller area where the onions are heated to ambient temperature. If cold onions were loaded onto lorries, condensation would occur and the onion skins would resemble a wet sheet of paper. The boxes of warmed onions are then loaded onto the lorries. Should a bulk load of onions be required, the forklifts can be fitted with an attachment which is able to rotate the onion box and empty it into the bulker.

The store has the capacity for 6,444 onion boxes

amounting to approximately 6,500 tonnes of onions.



Every year countless pieces of oral care

products and packaging end up in landfill sites

across the UK. We are working with TerraCycle®

to put an end to this enormous loss of resources.

The Colgate® Oral Care Recycling Programme

allows us to recycle your oral care products and

packaging and prevent them from ending up in

landfill.

Not only are you helping the environment, but

the waste you recycle with us also helps to fund

schools or organisations.

RECYCLE YOUR ORAL CARE PRODUCTS AND PACKAGING!

The more yourecycle, the moremoney we raise

Drop off yourproducts into the box at

36 Station Roadfor Manea School

Manea

Learn more at www.terracycle.co.uk.

TerraCycle®, the TerraCycle Logo® are property of TerraCycle, Inc. used under license. ©2018

• Dental Floss and Floss Containers

• Any brand of toothbrush

• Any brand of toothbrush outer packaging• Any brand of toothpaste cartons• Any brand of electric and battery toothbrush heads

• Any brand of toothpaste tubes and caps

Waste that is NOT accepted:

• Interdental Brushes

• Toothache Kits

• Breath Sprays

• Denture Adhesives Packaging

• Denture Tablets Packaging

• Denture Cream Tubes

• Battery Toothbrushes

• Mouthwash Plastic Bottles

• Tubes that did not contain toothpaste

• Outer packaging that did not contain toothbrushes

• Cartons that did not contain toothpaste

• Toothpaste Pumps

ACCEPTED WASTE


Every year countless pieces of oral care

products and packaging end up in landfill sites

across the UK. We are working with TerraCycle®

to put an end to this enormous loss of resources.

The Colgate® Oral Care Recycling Programme

allows us to recycle your oral care products and

packaging and prevent them from ending up in

landfill.

Not only are you helping the environment, but

the waste you recycle with us also helps to fund

schools or organisations.

RECYCLE YOUR ORAL CARE PRODUCTS AND PACKAGING!

The more yourecycle, the moremoney we raise

Drop off yourproducts into the box at

36 Station Roadfor Manea School

Manea

Learn more at www.terracycle.co.uk.

TerraCycle®, the TerraCycle Logo® are property of TerraCycle, Inc. used under license. ©2018

• Dental Floss and Floss Containers

• Any brand of toothbrush

• Any brand of toothbrush outer packaging• Any brand of toothpaste cartons• Any brand of electric and battery toothbrush heads

• Any brand of toothpaste tubes and caps

Waste that is NOT accepted:

• Interdental Brushes

• Toothache Kits

• Breath Sprays

• Denture Adhesives Packaging

• Denture Tablets Packaging

• Denture Cream Tubes

• Battery Toothbrushes

• Mouthwash Plastic Bottles

• Tubes that did not contain toothpaste

• Outer packaging that did not contain toothbrushes

• Cartons that did not contain toothpaste

• Toothpaste Pumps

ACCEPTED WASTE

Rubbers

Waste not accepted'Accepted wasteP e n s , f e l t t i p s , h i g h l i g h t e r s , m a r k e r s

M e c h a n i c a l p e n c i l s a n d c o r r e c t i o n i n s t r u m e n t s ( t a p e a n d f l u i d p o t s ) , f o u n t a i n p e n s , i n k c a r t r i d g e s

Writing

Instruments

Recycling

Programme

RulersGlue sticks Pencils

Please note, glue sticksare not accepted

Sharp objects

You can take your writing implements to 36 Station Road as well, where there is a separate box for them. They will then be taken to Thomas Eaton School in Chatteris, which is an ‘official’ collection point. The items are ultimately turned into such things as play equipment, furniture and watering cans!



PAGE 15

THE HISTORY OF FATHER CHRISTMAS

Today, Father Christmas is the Jolly Man in red, but his colourful story stretches back to the 3rd century. It starts with a bishop named Nicholas.

Nicholas was born around 280 A.D. near Myra in modern-day Turkey. His parents died when he was young, leaving him a very large inheritance. He had a reputation for being very kind and giving secret gifts to people. It is said that he gave away all of his inherited wealth whilst travelling the countryside

helping the poor and sick.

One legend of St Nicholas involves saving three poor sisters from being sold into slavery or prostitution by their father. Nicholas provided a dowry for each sister to enable them to be married. When the first daughter came of age Nicholas left a dowry just inside the open front door as the weather was warm. When the second daughter came of age the weather was a little cooler and the front door was closed which meant that Nicholas had to use an open window for access. However, it was winter when the third sister came of age and the doors and windows were all closed. Nicholas waited until the early hours of the morning before he dropped the dowry through the chimney in order to remain anonymous.

By the Renaissance, St Nicholas was the most popular saint in Europe. After the Protestant Reformation the veneration


PAGE 16

The Holidays are Coming!!

North Pole workshop, elves, and his wife, Mrs Claus. Therefore, the urban legend that Santa's red suit was designed by Coca-Cola is false.

Coca-Cola have used Santa in their adverts since the 1930s. In 1995 they introduced the 'Coca-Cola Christmas truck' in the 'Holidays are Coming' TV adverts. The red truck, covered with lights and with the classic 'Coke Santa' on its sides, is now a famous part of recent Christmas history.

Steve Wright

of saints began to be discouraged. Under these circumstances a replacement had to be found to deliver Christmas presents, therefore, St Nicholas became 'Father Christmas'. However, St Nicholas remained very popular, especially in Holland. Dutch settlers in the USA took the stories of St Nicholas with them into the New World. The name 'Santa Claus' evolved from Sinter Klaas, a shortened form of Sint Nikolaas (Dutch for Saint Nicholas).

The story of St Nicholas giving gifts of gold probably generated the custom of having a tangerine or satsuma in your Christmas stocking. Golden fruit was a substitute for gold, and until the last 50 years these unusual fruits were considered very special!

In 1822, Dr. Clement Clarke Moore, an Episcopal minister, wrote a famous Christmas poem for his three daughters entitled “A Visit from St Nicholas” or "T'was the Night before Christmas". Moore’s poem created the Santa Claus image of a portly figure with the supernatural ability to ascend a chimney! In 1881, political cartoonist, Thomas Nast, drew on Moore’s poem to involve our modern image of Santa Claus. His cartoon depicted Santa as a rotund cheerful man, with a full white beard, dressed in a bright red suit, holding a sack laden with toys for children. It is Nast who produced a



BECOMING A FOSTER CARERPeople from all walks of life are being

encouraged to consider fostering.

Cambridgeshire County Council needs people from all walks of life and we want to hear from anyone who has a spare bedroom in their home.

Fostering is hugely rewarding, but there are many myths surrounding the role which can stop people from making an inquiry. These include:

• Depending which type of fostering you choose, working is not a barrier so apply. • You are never too old to foster and we welcome the experience. • Even if you have your own children, we want to hear from you.

Opposite is an adaptation of an article by Dr Krish Kandiah (Founding Director of the ‘Home for Good’ charity) written with love and passion.

• Another misconception is that foster carers have to be perfect, we want people who can offer safe, secure and loving homes.

You are never too old to foster and we welcome

the experience

Can you open your heart and home to local children and young people who need the love and support?

Our foster carers provide a stable family support network at a time of great uncertainty. People should not rule themselves out because they have children, are single, married or partnered, work, live in rented accommodation or want to foster past retirement age.

We offer generous allowances, a start-up package and 24-hour access to advice and support. If you would like to register your interest then email [email protected], call 0800 052 0078 or visit www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/fostering


'He's a biter'Why was my foster son reduced to a cruel label?

As soon as my wife picked up the phone, I knew she was going to say yes to this next foster placement. I could see the look in her eyes. An abandoned three-year-old – that was all she heard. That was all she needed to know.

As for me, all I heard was the word “biter”. Images flashed through my mind. I saw some kind of feral hooligan, attacking my other children and scarring them for life, while I booked hepatitis B immunisations and filled out endless reports. I could already feel the pain of sharp milk teeth sinking into my thigh. I winced. Not just because of the imagined pain: I winced at the cruelty of the label. Like branding cattle, labels have a tendency to endure. I’d seen it before: reducing the complexity of their traumatic life story to a single inescapable negative description. I appreciate that the social worker was trying to give me a warts-and-all picture of a potential placement. Nevertheless,

a child has to be more than the worst thing they have ever done – or the worst thing that has been done to them.

I was not OK with looking after a child known as a 'biter'. If something so terrible has happened to him that he feels he has no choice but to respond by biting, then I would do everything in my power to look after him and help him lose the label. The label 'biter' stuck its teeth into me and wouldn’t let go. I refused to let it diminish the child we parented for the subsequent nine months. I would not let it reduce him to a behaviour, an act of desperation. I vouched it would never undermine his intrinsic value, dignity and worth as a three-year-old. Yes, he bit things – mostly his breakfast, dinner and tea. Yes, he left an impression – not on my skin, but under it. He was a child who was, among many other things, beautiful, funny, intelligent, determined, resilient, affectionate. He was not a 'biter'.



PAGE 19

maneaARCHIVE

Research into the history of property in Manea has commenced and some residents have allowed access to their deeds, and other documents,

from which a picture of the early years of the village is being created. In order to further this research access to more documents about Manea properties is needed. If anyone has any documents such as: Deeds, Conveyances, Indentures, Assents, Abstracts of Title or similar, it would be of great help to further the research and add to the Archive Project.

At the present time the oldest document that has been seen was dated May 1806 and refers to Morris Lord Rokeby Baron, into whom further research is planned.

For further information, questions, comments, or offers of help please contact Martin Hindry using email: [email protected] (preferred) or Telephone: 01354 680850

CORRECTION: Following the Autumn issue regarding the Wesleyan Chapel in the High Street contact was received from a family member who corrected the information, “It was bought by SM Guy Ltd in the late 60s and used as a potato store for 20+ years. It was sold by SM Guy Ltd, of which Philip Barnes was the director, and the people who bought it for development then went bankrupt. It is believed that the receivers had the building taken down and sold the contents”.


THE ORCHARD HAS BEEN BEEBOM BEDSince we created the Orchard and

Wildlife Area, we have tried to do our bit to encourage bees and other insects, such as butterflies. We have

had setbacks along the way but we keep on trying!

At the end of October, we scattered a box of Beebombs, which were kindly donated by a member of our volunteer group, in the Hazel coppices. We were overseen by a large, and very inquisitive, bumble bee as we scattered the Beebombs and then watered them in!

The Beebombs contain 18 species of wildflowers (see the borders), native to Britain and confirmed by the RHS as ‘Perfect for Pollinators’. It’s part of the #bringthebeesback campaign. Each box of Beebombs will return 21 sq ft of the 97% of

wildflower habitat, which Britain has

We were overseen by a large, and very inquisitive, bumble bee as we

scattered the Beebombs.

Yarro

w -

Com

mon

Kna

pwee

d -

Wild

Car

rot -

-Lad

y’s B

edst

raw

- Ro

ugh

Haw

kbit

- Ox

eye

Daisy

- Co

wsl

ipSalad Burnett - W

hite Campion - Red Cam

pion - Comm

on Poppy - Cornflower - Corn Cham

omile - Self Heal

Ribwort Plantain - Corn Marigold - Yellow Rattle - Common Sorrel

lost since World War II. To find out more about Beebombs and Ben who created them visit www.beebombs.com. Wildflowers are a little

slower at growing than many imported plants and flowers. Some will flower in the first year but most will not bloom until the second year, so we will be patient!

Over the winter months, we hope to revamp the noticeboards and replace

the tree labels, which have withstood some pretty dire weather of late.

We hope you enjoyed the fruit of our labours this year – literally – it’s for the community. Finally, the good news is, the

diseased apple tree (which we had to saw down to its trunk in the summer) has already sprung back to life!

Dianne RoweOrchard Group Member

PAGE 20

MANEA M AT T E R S

MANEA PARISHCouncillors have spent, and continue

to spend, many hours talking to Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) and Fenland District Council (FDC) about

a number of subjects that are detailed below.

Communicating quickly and effectively is important to us. We have commissioned a new website (Councillor Bonos is working on content), updates are being given on social media and notice boards will be refurbished for non-internet users.

• Councillors Steve Emery and Ben Bonos are addressing the recommendations from the annual ROSPA report.

RoadsCouncillors Charlie Marks and Janet Coupland have been working with Highways Officers from CCC to address the poor state of our roads. Their persistence has paid off but other roads that need major repairs have to be put forward for inclusion in the Transport Delivery Plan - underway.

Cllr Marks has also worked tirelessly with landowners and businesses to address the problem of mud on our roads from the harvest.

Councillors Bonos and Marks (with his District hat on), have been speaking to CCC to address ongoing issues with pavements. We will keep you updated.

Failures are being reported as and when identified. Cllr Marks recently undertook a full survey of the village and has reported a large number of faulty lights to FDC and CCC respectively.

Councillor Mark Pratt is working with CCC to address their failure to regularly cut, resulting in many being impassable. All PRoW’s were cut in October and Mark is pursuing repairs to signage and bridges.

Pavements

Councillor Mark Pratt is working closely with the FDC Tree Officer and a Tree Surgeon to review the health of our trees. Mark is developing a long-term plan to ensure existing trees are well maintained and safe. We also intend to plant new trees in suitable locations to create additional habitats for wildlife.

Trees

Public Rights of Way (PRoW)

Streetlighting

Park, Pit and Orchard


COUNCIL UPDATE

Councillor Cundell has produced policies relating to Grant applications and Safeguarding. He is working with Mr Melton, our Clerk, to undertake a review of the nominated value of all Parish Council assets in preparation for the new financial year.

Councillors and Station Adopters have attended two separate meetings with Senior Managers in Greater Anglia and Network Rail. Councillors

Councillor Barry Cundell and I met with CCC engineers in the village to review the sites for school bus shelters. Now waiting the design specifications.

• Councillors have commissioned a number of reports to help us decide a long-term strategy for this area including Health & Safetyplus a full ecological report. • Cllrs Steve Emery, David Cole, Barrie Short, and I, supported by volunteers, have been undertaking maintenance work in the Pit and Orchard.

We end with a thank you to all of the volunteers who work to make Manea a great place to live. Without your efforts, village life would be very dull!

I would like to personally thank all Councillors and our Clerk for the tremendous amount of work they have undertaken in the last six months.

We wish everyone a very Merry Xmas and Happy New Year.

Lisa EvesChair

Pit, Community Orchard and Wildlife Area

Bus Shelters

Railway

Finance & Policies

• The Pavilion has had a full electrical test. Repairs to showers completed.• Skatepark – FDC have used the information from the surveys completed and sent out tenders.

Emery and Coupland regularly attend two separate railway forums at FDC. We continue to push hard for progress.

X



DEADLINE FOR ISSUE 65- SPRINGEDITION:

THANK YOU FROM MANEA FIREFIGHTERSThe crew at Manea would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all the residents of Manea who came along to support us during our The Fire Fighters Charity Car Wash outside The Rose and Crown.WWe raised a total of £258.30. We look forward to cleaning all of your cars again next year!Mark MilnerWatch Commander, Manea Fire Station

FRIDAY 21ST FEBRUARY 2020

Church Rooms 7:30pm – fourth Tuesday of the monthDates for your 2020 Diary:28th January, 25th February and 24th March - all Tuesdays

HAPPY2020

EVERYONE!!

PAGE 23 PAGE 23 www.maneamatters.co.uk

DEADLINE FOR ISSUE 65- SPRINGEDITION:

THANK YOU FROM MANEA FIREFIGHTERSThe crew at Manea would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all the residents of Manea who came along to support us during our The Fire Fighters Charity Car Wash outside The Rose and Crown.WWe raised a total of £258.30. We look forward to cleaning all of your cars again next year!Mark MilnerWatch Commander, Manea Fire Station

FRIDAY 21ST FEBRUARY 2020

Church Rooms 7:30pm – fourth Tuesday of the monthDates for your 2020 Diary:28th January, 25th February and 24th March - all Tuesdays

HAPPY2020

EVERYONE!!

PAGE 24 PAGE 24 PAGE 24 DEADLINE for Issue 65 – Friday 21st February 2020

PAGE 25

LYDIA, STEVE, RICKY & kelsie WELCOME YOU TO

MANEA ROYAL BRITISH

Club in East Street, Manea A Fully Licensed Bar with a Full Size Snooker Table & Dart Board Pool Table Slot Machines Function Room suitable for small parties or meetings for your clubs committees of up to 40 guests Large Dance Hall suitable for parties of up to 150 guests Halls for Hire any time Home of Manea Bowls Club

Monday: Manea Silver Band practiceTuesday: Karate 6.00pm Thursday: Bingo (Over 18s) 7.00pmSaturday: Live Music 8.00pmSunday: Line Dance Lessons/Keep Fit

All these facilities are available to ANYONE and EVERYONE is welcome- Contact Tony on 01354 680376 Contact for Hall Hire: Sheila 07854 014923

PAGE 25 www.maneamatters.co.uk

Fitness Classes WednesdaysManea Church Rooms by One Stop Shop6.30pm Circuits · 7.15pm Legs, Bums & Tums


MANEA M AT T E R S



MANEA M AT T E R S


Music LessonsQualified Teacher,

Experienced Musician

All Abilities – Bass Guitar – Acoustic Guitar – Electric Guitar – Music Theory

Home Visits£25 p/hour£15 p/30 mins

First lesson free when booking 2+ lessons

Each lesson comes with 1 free private online video recapping

lesson content

01354 [email protected]


MANEA M AT T E R S



MANEA M AT T E R S



MANEA M AT T E R S

Get closer to natureat Welney Wetland Centre

wwt.org.uk/WelneyWWT Welney, Hundred Foot Bank, Welney, Nr. Wisbech, PE14 9TN. WWT reg. charity in E & W, no. 1030884 & Scotland, no. SC039410


Open Fri and Sat 6-11pm with food served from 6 til 9pm & Sundays 12-6pm with our popular carvery served from 12 til 3.30pm

(booking advised)


MANEA M AT T E R S

Let the Past be your Present

[email protected] Coupland

01354 680416Vintage items and collectables

bought and sold Stallholder based in Manea



MANEA M AT T E R S



MANEA M AT T E R S


Happy Pups Manea

Licensed to a high standard and insured

Located just outside Manea 07824 453160

Dog Daycare in a home environment

[email protected]

Find us on Facebook @happypupsmanea


MANEA M AT T E R S



MANEA M AT T E R S


Buses There are several number 56 buses a day, Monday to Saturday, that run into March and Wisbech. Times from The Rose & Crown are: 09:02 (Sat only) 10:32 12:32 14:32 Return times from March are: 08:34 10:05 12:05 14:05 16:05 and from Wisbech Bus Station: 09:30 11:30 13:30 15:30 There is currently no Sunday service.

Community Car Scheme Manea Community Car Scheme is operated under the umbrella of the County Council and uses volunteer drivers. If you need to make a journey and do not have the use of a car, or are not fit enough to access public transport, the scheme may be able to help. Journeys need to be booked in advance and are charged at 30p per mile, with a minimum charge of £3.00. To book or for more information please phone Phil Coulridge between 9:00am and 5:00pm on 07944 814156. If there is no reply please leave a message and your call will be returned.

Trains You can get a train from Manea Station to Peterborough, Ely, Bury

St Edmunds and Ipswich. With a single change at Ely you can also go to Cambridge. Trains run at the following times, Monday to Saturday, towards: P'borough: 06:20 07:08 09:10 11:09 13:09

15:09 17:10 18:26 19:09 21:09 Ely/Ipswich: 07:38 08:16 10:17 12:17 14:17

16:17 17:45 18:17 20:17 22:12 Full timetables including times for return journeys are displayed at the station. Tickets are currently purchased from the Guard on the train. This will change as soon as the new ticket machines (cards only - no cash) are installed. There is currently no Sunday service. Ge

ttin

g Ab

out

Here are some local groups and organisations that are aimed at children under 5 and their grown-ups too!

Mondays - Treetops soft play – 1:00pm - Mrs Melody puts on a great music session in addition to the indoor play available. Mondays & Tuesdays - play2day indoor play centre – 10:00 -11:30am “Mums & Tots” offers free hot drinks, juice and biscuits as well as the indoor play available. Wednesdays – Bricstan room (behind St Peter & Paul’s Church in Chatteris) – 9:30 -11:30am - Chatterbox Baby & Toddler GroupThursdays – Manea Village Hall – 9:30 -11:30am - Manea Baby & Toddler Group brings local parents & carers and their little ones togetherFridays – Bricstan room – 9:30 -11:30am - Baby and Toddler Group in Chatteris hosted by K.I.T.E Club All of these can be found on Facebook - for more information, news and updates.

Beth Skeggs

FUN

ACT

IVIT

IES

FOR

UNDE

R 5s


MANEA M AT T E R S

Documents

MANEA MATTERSPAGE 3 GROUPS COMMUNITY Manea Art Club You don't need to be able to paint to come along, just willing to give it a go. The Art Club meets every Monday morning, 10am to