Wednesday, August 13, 2025

The Fenlander is a regular bulletin from Fenland District Council updating on council news, events and services.

Investment plans, free fun events, fly-tipping fine and more

This month we bring you the latest on the Fenland Inspire! programme of planned districtwide investment projects including leisure centre and play area improvements and work towards Fenland District Council taking over parking enforcement duties from police.

There's also details of the latest free exercise and activity sessions with Active Fenland, including family fun days. And the upcoming Whittlesey Festival, Minis in March Market Place event and funfair arrivals.

We have news of a fly-tipping prosecution. And call for you to act to keep your vote, with the annual canvass under way.

Additionally, we've pulled together a raft of safety messages from our partners to help you and your family avoid becoming a victim of accidents or crime. And with hot weather with us again, some tips to help you beat the heat and keep your home cool.

Districtwide 'Fenland Inspire!' investment campaign progress

Progress is being made on a package of districtwide improvements, billed 'Fenland Inspire!'.

The package includes work towards Fenland District Council taking over parking enforcement duties from police; leisure centre and play area improvements and more.

See more: Districtwide 'Fenland Inspire!' investment campaign progress

Active Fenland promotes and provides informal and fun sport and physical activity sessions in community settings in Fenland.

Don't miss free and low-cost fun activity sessions

There's free and low-cost fun and activity for all on offer with Active Fenland, including special family fun events.

New 'couch to 5k' supported running and beginners' running sessions are also on the programme.

Don't miss the free family fun day tomorrow (Thursday, Aug 14), and final outdoor yoga sessions on Monday (Aug 18) in the beautiful grounds of the National Trust's Peckover House, Wisbech.

Throughout August, there's also free turn up and play library based family fun sessions involving stories, imagination and movement.

Another tea dance with tuition and refreshments is planned for September in March town.

All of this on top of the usual ongoing packed programme of social and activity sessions for all, including walking football, wellbeing walks, specialist sessions for people with specific health conditions such as diabetes and cardiac problems and people facing mobility issues.

Discover more at: Active Fenland sessions

Whittlesey Festival promising fun for all

Whittlesey Festival is back on Sunday, September 14, and is promising to be a fabulous day filled with fun for all.

The event will include live performances throughout the day, rides, a craft fair, dozens of stalls, 170 classic vehicles and an exhibition of school pupils’ art.

The event takes place in the town centre 10am to 4pm.

Whittlesey Festival is a Fenland Four Seasons event driven by Whittlesey Festival Committee - a dedicated volunteer committee and supported by Fenland District Council and Whittlesey Town Council.

Discover more about:

Fenland Four Season events at: Fenland Four Seasons Events
Whittlesey Festival 2025 updates: Whittlesey Festival 2025 Facebook page

Minis in March Market Place event

Sunday sees the return of the Minis in March Market Place event.

Following the success of its debut last year, the event will return on Sunday (August 17), 10am to 3pm.

The free-to-attend event is organised by town and district councillor and Fenland District Council Cabinet member, Cllr Gary Christy, in partnership with Cambs Mini Club.

Full story at: Summer events coming to March Market Place this August

Jobs

Discover what new opportunities could be yours through the current vacancies on our website

£400 bill and criminal record for allowing waste to be fly-tipped

A Wisbech man, who gave rubbish to an associate who fly-tipped it, has now got a criminal record and been ordered to pay £400 in fines and costs.

The man admitted failing to ensure household waste was disposed of correctly and legally at a hearing at Peterborough Magistrates' Court.

Bags of household waste belonging to the resident were found dumped in Lords Lane, Wisbech, the court heard. A Fenland District Council investigation traced the waste back to the Wisbech man who was prosecuted.

See more: £400 bill and criminal record for allowing waste to be fly-tipped

Don't forget, you can book online for us to come and collect bulky waste from your home: Bulky waste collection

Act now to keep your vote! Fenland's annual electoral canvass begins

Residents across Fenland are being reminded to check their voter registration details or risk missing the chance to vote in future elections, with the annual canvass now under way.

The canvass, a legal requirement carried out each year by councils, ensures the electoral register is accurate and up to date. It also helps identify residents who are not yet registered to vote.

By confirming or updating their details, residents can make sure they remain eligible to vote in future elections and have their say on decisions that affect them.

See more: Act now to keep your vote!

Council Meetings

Council committees meet regularly to discuss and decide upon issues in Fenland.

You can view a calendar of the upcoming meetings and agendas on our website and watch the meetings live on YouTube.

Funfairs coming to Fenland - September 2025

Funfairs will arrive in Fenland towns for their regular visits in September.

The fairs are due to operate from Fenland District Council car parks.

In March town, City Road Car Park and City Road Lorry Park will be closed to motorists from 5pm on Sunday, September 21, and will reopen at 5pm on Monday, October 6.

In Wisbech, Church Terrace car park (also referred to locally as St Peter's Church car park) will be closed to motorists from 5pm on Saturday, September 13, reopening at 5pm on Sunday, September 21.

The fairs are not expected to be open to the public every day of those periods. Please note, the funfairs are not operated by Fenland District Council and funfair opening times and days are at the discretion of the operators.

For further details, including alternative parking options, see: Funfairs coming to Fenland

Community safety events and advice
In our role as a member of Fenland Community Safety Partnership we highlight below some current key messages and events

Speak up about how safe you feel in Fenland

Fenland residents and workers are encouraged to give an update on how safe they feel in the district and any crime and disorder concerns, by completing an online survey.

Fenland Community Safety Partnership (CSP) is running its half yearly survey to help inform the work of the CSP, a partnership of representatives from police, local authorities, fire and rescue services, health and probation services.

The survey is open until Friday, August 29.

Complete the survey at: CSP survey

Take care with QR codes

A warning has been issued encouraging people to stay vigilant and double check QR codes to see if they are malicious, or have been tampered with, before scanning them.

Action Fraud issued the warning about 'quishing', a form of phishing where QR codes are used to steal personal and financial information.

Action Fraud said quishing happens most frequently in car parks, with criminals putting stickers over genuine QR codes on parking machines, meaning people are directed to a scam site rather than the genuine payment site.

See more: Action Fraud 'quishing' warning

Learn the lifesaving skill of floating on your back to stay safe in water

Knowing how to float can save your life if you get in trouble in the water, said a 'Find your float' Respect The Water campaign.

Keep yourself safe by practising to float on your back in a safe, supervised environment like one of our Fenland leisure centres.

Respect The Water says, if someone's in trouble in the water:
📢 Tell them to float on their back
📢 Call 999
📢 Throw them something that floats

See more:

Respect The Water website
For details of swimming pool opening times and swimming lessons in Fenland, see: Freedom Lesiure website

Know how to keep kids and teens safe online

Parental controls, ISP filters, and child-friendly platforms can make a difference when it comes to safeguarding your kids, says 'Get Safe Online'.

But don’t just rely on tech; discuss and agree rules and boundaries too, it advises.

Discover its tips at: Safe and happy kids online
Discover tips on protecting your computer, yourself, smart phones and tablets, children; and safe banking and payments, communications and social networking at: Get Safe Online

Meet Fenland Community Safety Partnerships representatives

Residents can discuss community safety concerns and get advice and tips on keeping themselves safe at a forthcoming event.

Representatives of Fenland Community Safety Partnership, a partnership which comprises police, local authorities, fire and rescue services, health and probation services, are due to attend:

Murrow Book Café, Murrow Methodist Church, Front Road, Murrow PE13 4JQ, on Thursday, August 28, 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

For event updates please contact Murrow Methodist Church

Business Premises

Starting or expanding your business? Looking for affordable offices or factory units? We can help! Our business premises and industrial units are ideal for small and start-up businesses.

The Boathouse Business Centre
The Boathouse overlooks the marina in Wisbech. It is just a short walk from the town centre and is easily accessible from the A47.
South Fens Business Centre
South Fens Business Centre, in Chatteris, is next to the A141 and A142 - offering easy access to Ely, March, Huntingdon, Cambridge and beyond.

Hundreds of children learn vital skills at Safety Zone events in Fenland

More than 800 youngsters across Fenland have taken part in this year's Safety Zone events - learning vital life skills as they prepare to move on from primary to secondary school.

Hosted by March, Whittlesey and Wisbech fire stations, the events transform each station into a hub of learning activity, with the Year Six students rotating through seven interactive workstations focusing on different aspects of everyday safety.

The events, jointly organised by Cambridgeshire Fire Service's Community Fire Safety team and the Fenland Community Safety Partnership, saw a total of 21 schools across Fenland take part.

Discover photos and more details at: Hundreds of children learn vital skills at Safety Zone events in Fenland

Beat the heat tips

Image above: UK Health Security advice on keeping your home cool

Hot weather is something many people look forward to but it’s worth remembering that warm spells can pose health risks for some people.

It’s important to protect yourself and others from too much sun or heat, to carry water when travelling and to think of those, such as young children or older people, who may not cope as well in the heat.

Discover more about who is at risk in heat, how you can help them and keep yourself safe and cool at: Beat the heat tips

Don’t forget to Do It Online

The quickest and easiest way to apply, report, find or pay via Fenland District Council is usually our website. Available 24 hours a day whenever it’s most convenient for you.