More than 200 older people presented with donated gifts at Golden Age event

Image above: MP Steve Barclay helping Santa to hand out gifts generously donated by the Fenland community, at the December Fenland District Council Golden Age event in Wisbech.

More than 200 older adults got a wrapped donated Christmas gift as well as information on opportunities, services and support available to them at the latest Fenland District Council Golden Age event.   

Presents were donated by the Fenland community in response to the first ever Golden Age Christmas Appeal.

Cllr Sam Clark, Golden Age team leader, said: “Our huge thanks go to all the organisations, partners and community groups that support Golden Age year-in, year-out and, on this occasion, have, along with so many incredible and generous individuals in Fenland, donated gifts and support for the Christmas present appeal."

For the full story and details of February's Golden Age event see: More than 200 older people presented with donated gifts at Golden Age event

Wisbech Christmas Fayre sadly cancelled a week after March Christmas Market success 


Image above: Crowds of visitors enjoy March Christmas Market

With great regret we had to make the difficult decision to cancel Wisbech Christmas Fayre due to weather warnings linked to Storm Darragh.

The annual event was due to happen on Sunday, December 8.

A week earlier March Christmas Market, which we support, attracted crowds of visitors and was packed with traders and festive cheer.

Find photos of March's event at: Festive fun at March Christmas Market

For details of the district council's Fenland Four Seasons events and how to get involved see: Fenland Four Seasons Events

Woman sentenced for "shocking" neglect of 21 animals

A woman who admitted neglecting 21 animals in her care, causing them "unimaginable suffering", has been sentenced following an investigation and animal rescue involving police, council and partners.

Tina Shortell, 67, failed to care for the dogs and cats at a property in Guyhirn, near Wisbech.

PC Kirsty Hulley, who investigated, said: "This was a horrendous and shocking case of animal neglect and one I will never forget.

"Shortell caused unimaginable suffering to 21 helpless animals in her care, leaving them with no food or water and suffering in pain from untreated wounds and skin conditions.

"We worked closely with our partners at the council to bring this case to court and I'd like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and dedication."

See more: Woman sentenced for "shocking" neglect of 21 animals

Round two of the Fenland Culture Fund opens to applications

Local creatives and community arts organisations are being invited to apply for a share of £50,000 to help develop and enrich arts, culture and heritage opportunities across Fenland.

Round two of Fenland District Council's Fenland Culture Fund is now open for applications, with grants of up to £2,000 available.

Revenue grant funding could be used for activities including, but not limited to, workshops, events, performances, festivals, exhibitions and skills development.

Capital grant funding could be used for investments including, but not limited to, new lighting or sound equipment, cameras, furniture and improvements to buildings.

See more: Round two of the Fenland Culture Fund opens to applications

Packed programme of free and low cost health, wellbeing and exercise classes across Fenland

Whether you want a supportive couch to 5k running programme, are older and less mobile and want seated exercise to get stronger to prevent falls or fancy dancing or kickboxing your way to fitness there's a free or low-cost option for you with Active Fenland!

Take a look at the full programme and book your place at: Active Fenland bookings

Accessing our services over Christmas and New Year

Christmas and New Year will see some differences in our opening hours and service availability.

You'll still be able to use our website day and night to report issues.

Through our website, you can also apply for things, find information and make payments. Please be aware that some reports or applications will not be processed until Thursday, January 2.

Bin collections will continue on a revised timetable.

Our teams will continue to provide all the usual out-of-hours support and services.

More detail at: Accessing our services over Christmas and New Year

Sign up now to save on garden waste collection

Fenland residents are urged to sign up now to make savings on having their garden waste collected year-round.

Residents can sign up now to have their garden waste collected fortnightly in the next financial year (April 2025 to March 2026).

Signing up to pay by direct debit comes with a 20 per cent saving and makes the full-year cost £47 (equivalent to 90p per week). Payment is taken in one go.

See more: Sign up now to save on garden waste collection

Fenland Poet Laureate Award launches for 2025

The 2025 Fenland Poet Laureate Award and Young Fenland Poet Laureate Award are now open for entries.

The competition, which seeks to discover and crown the next Poet Laureates of Fenland, is recognised as one of the most prestigious literary accolades in Cambridgeshire.

Applicants must be aged 18 and over for the Fenland Poet Laureate Award, and aged 17 and under for the Young Fenland Poet Laureate Award.

Poetry submissions must be no longer than 40 lines, the entrant's own work and previously unpublished. Poems may be in free verse or stricter form, and reference Fenland in some way. There is only one entry allowed per poet.

The deadline for entries is Friday, January 31, 2025.

More details at: Fenland Poet Laureate Award launches for 2025

Hereward Community Rail Partnership helps boost youngsters travel confidence

Youngsters from Manea Guides were the latest to enjoy a 'Try A Train' trip, a community initiative aimed at boosting confidence and knowledge to travel by rail.

The Hereward Community Rail Partnership (CRP), which works to engage local communities along Fenland's Hereward railway line, launched the initiative earlier this year.

Photo and more details at: Hereward Community Rail Partnership helps boost youngsters travel confidence

Grants of up to £25,000 to improve public buildings

Parish councils and village and rurally based community groups in Fenland can apply for grant funding for projects that improve energy efficiency of public buildings or increase access to public or low carbon transport.

Grants of up to £25,000 are available through Net Zero Villages Grant Funding. The Net Zero Villages Grant Funding can provide up to 100 per cent of the project costs (no match funding is required).

A simple 'Expression of Interest' form must be complete and submitted by Sunday, January 5, 2025, for projects to be considered for the funding.

We anticipate most of the funding will be used to improve the energy efficiency of village halls or other buildings that local community groups use.

Net Zero Villages Grant funding could fund projects for community buildings such as solar panels or double glazing, underfloor heating, energy efficient lighting or water saving measures. It could also fund projects like a community led shuttle bus or cycling related facilities.

Discover more at: Net Zero Villages Grant

Free event for Fenland landlords: Expert advice on Awaab's Law, tackling damp and mould and retrofitting

Landlords from Fenland are being invited to a free information event to find out how to prepare for upcoming changes to Awaab's Law and effectively tackle damp and mould in their rented properties.

Hosted by the Cambridgeshire Private Sector Housing Group, which represents councils across the county, the countywide 'Dealing with Damp and Mould' forum will take place 1pm to 5pm on Monday, January 13, at The Maltings, Ship Lane, Ely, CB7 4BB.

More details at: Free event for Fenland landlords