Free, weekly food waste collections are coming to Fenland! Details of the service, which is launching next year, are included in this month's The Fenlander.

Also detailed is Fenland Cabinet's call on Government to halt the Local Government Reorganisation process.

Plus:

• Still time to donate to our Christmas gift collection for older people
• Details of free festive Fenland events
• First anniversary of get well for work free support programme
• Free and low cost exercise and activity session details
• Pupils celebrate rail heritage with new artwork at Fenland stations
• Start a career that makes a real change - jobs opportunities with Fenland District Council
• Have your say on Wisbech Regeneration Plan
• Share your views on using Whittlesea Railway Station
• Still time to have your say in latest consultation on reservoir plan
• Sign up to pay Council Tax and business rates by Direct Debit
• Call for businesses and organisations to join fight against hate crime
• Community safety updates and free training

Read on to discover the detail on all of the above and more!

Gift collection for older people this Christmas



Image above: Donate today! Jack Avison (How Are You Fenland?) and Hayley Mears (Fenland District Council) with appeal gifts last year.

Generous Fenland residents are again being called upon to donate gifts for older people this Christmas.

Donations will be distributed at a community event for over 60s to ensure all visitors have at least one gift this festive season.

The Golden Age Christmas Appeal ran for the first time last year and saw more than 200 older people presented with gifts.

The appeal is a collaboration between Fenland District Council and Head to Toe, the official charity of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, which provides district nursing care for older people and those with long-term conditions and mental health services, together with the Trust's 'How Are You Fenland?', which encourages people to get active, learn new skills and be creative.

Present drop-off points are at:

• Wisbech, March, Chatteris and Whittlesey libraries
• Tesco Extra, in Cromwell Road, Wisbech
• Tesco Superstore, in Hostmoor Avenue, March.

New and unwrapped items accepted only. Suggested donations are books, chocolates / sweets / biscuits, gloves / hats / scarves, socks, toiletries and small gifts such as diaries and mugs. Perishable goods and alcohol cannot be accepted.

Donations will be accepted up to and including Monday, November 24.

Over 60s invited to free festive event

All over 60s and those with an interest in services, support and opportunities for over 60s are welcome to drop in to the December Golden Age event on Friday, December 12, 10am to 1pm, at GER Sports Club, Robingoodfellows Lane, March, PE15 8HS. The event will have a special festive feel with songs from a choir.

Discover more:

• Gift collection for older people this Christmas
• About Golden Age fairs

Free, weekly food waste collections coming to Fenland in 2026

National food waste changes designed to help residents recycle more and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill are coming to Fenland next summer.

Fenland District Council is launching free, weekly food waste collections in June 2026 to meet new Government legislation, which requires all councils to introduce separate food waste collections next year.

The new service will allow people in Fenland to recycle their food waste for the first time, turning leftovers, peelings, and other food scraps into renewable energy and fertiliser for farmers. It will also free up space in household green bins and, with weekly collections, there'll be less smell from rotting food too.

In preparation for the new service, households will receive two new food waste containers: a five-litre indoor caddy to collect food waste in the kitchen and a small 23-litre outdoor food waste bin, plus a roll of caddy liners. The outdoor bin will be emptied every week on the same day as current blue and green bin collections.

See more: Free, weekly food waste collections coming to Fenland in 2026

Fenland Cabinet members call on Government to halt Local Government Reorganisation process

Cabinet members at Fenland District Council have called on the Government to halt the national Local Government Reorganisation process, describing it as "fundamentally flawed" and likely to fail unless a full and independent review is undertaken.

At a November meeting, Cabinet supported a proposal from Council Leader, Cllr Chris Boden, that Government should establish an independent Royal Commission to investigate all possible local government reforms, without the unrealistic rules and criteria imposed by the current process.

Members met to discuss the proposed options for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), the Government's national requirement to replace current district, county and city councils with unitary councils from April 2028.

However, recognising that councils must indicate their preferred option if they are to retain any voice in shaping the outcome, Cabinet agreed (if the Government fails to halt the reorganisation process) to express support for Option D as the "least bad option" under the Government's current reorganisation criteria.

Under Option D, three new unitary councils would be created across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Discover more: Fenland Cabinet members call on Government to halt Local Government Reorganisation process

Don't miss free Fenland Christmas events

Don't miss the free March Christmas Market and Wisbech Christmas Fayre this year.

The events fill the town centres with festive entertainment, food, stalls, crafts, gifts and children's rides. Plus Santa attends too!

March Christmas Market is Sunday, December 7, 10am to 3pm.

Wisbech Christmas Fayre is Sunday, December 14, 10am to 3pm.

First anniversary of get well for work free support programme

People at their lowest ebb, who have lost hope and direction are turning things around with the support of a free support scheme now marking its first anniversary.

WorkWell Fenland is for anyone who is struggling to return to or stay in work due to physical or mental health.

More than 400 people have now accessed the service, which launched in October last year, and got help to return to work, stay in work or take steps towards work.

The no-strings scheme, which isn't benefit linked, is run by Fenland District Council with NHS support and UK Government funding.

Discover more: First anniversary of get well for work free support programme

Get support from WorkWell Fenland: WorkWell Fenland

Free and low-cost exercise and activity sessions - November 2025

Don't miss the latest free and low-cost exercise and activity sessions with Active Fenland.

The programme includes everything from walking football to yoga, specialist sessions for people who want to improve their strength and mobility, and for those with cardiac problems. Take a look at the full programme to find the class or activity for you.

See more: Free and low-cost exercise and activity sessions - November 2025

Pupils celebrate rail heritage with new artwork at Fenland stations

Children from three Fenland primary schools have brought the region's rail history to life with new artwork now on display at Manea, March and Whittlesea stations.

Budding artists from Manea Community Primary School, All Saints Interchurch Academy in March, and Park Lane Primary School in Whittlesey created designs inspired by trains from the past, present and future, to help celebrate Railway200, marking 200 years of railway in Britain.

The project was led by the Hereward Community Rail Partnership (CRP) as part of its Railway200 celebrations, and delivered in partnership with youth organisation 20Twenty Productions, and local artist Ric Savage.

Discover more: Pupils celebrate rail heritage with new artwork at Fenland stations


Image above: Cllr Brenda Barber and Cllr Chris Seaton join pupils and staff from All Saints Interchurch Academy for the Railway200 art unveiling at March Station

Start a career that makes a real change

Some fantastic career opportunities have arisen with Fenland District Council, serving our community.

We're recruiting a:

•  Digital communications officer
•  Trainee marine pilot
•  Nationally significant infrastructure and major projects lead (planning team)
•  Senior environmental health officer (food lead)

Plus, via Peterborough City Council, roles for CCTV operators in our joint Fenland and Peterborough CCTV control room, based in Peterborough.

These roles allow you to make a difference, enjoy flexible working and career development.

Discover all the details at: Fenland jobs

Have your say on Wisbech Regeneration Plan

Wisbech Town Board has launched a survey about its plans for the town, set out in its draft Wisbech Regeneration Plan.

The town board has developed the proposals based on feedback and data from a range of consultations and studies in the town over the past decade.

The survey is open until Wednesday (November 19).

• Read the draft regeneration plan and have your say: Wisbech Town Board survey
• Visit: Wisbech Town Board web page for more details  

Share your views on using Whittlesea Railway Station to help unlock plans for future regeneration

Fenland District Council is inviting residents, businesses, and rail users to share their views on using Whittlesea Railway Station to help develop the business case for future regeneration plans.

Whittlesea is one of three Fenland stations included in a rail regeneration programme being delivered through the Council's Railway Station Masterplans project.

The programme is supported by funding from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, with £3million earmarked for improvements at Whittlesea between 2024 and 2027.

A survey has now been launched to gather people's views and experiences of using the station and an in-person engagement event is also being held on Friday, November 21.

Discover more and take part in the survey: Share your views on using Whittlesea Railway Station

Still time to have your say in latest consultation on reservoir plan

Anglian Water and Cambridge Water are continuing phase three consultations on plans for a new Fens reservoir.

Phase three consultation is open to December 10.

Several community events are planned to discuss the updated proposals.

Discover more: Have your say in 'phase three consultation' on proposed new Fens reservoir

Sign up to pay Council Tax and business rates by Direct Debit

Want a no-hassle solution to paying your Council Tax and business rates? Direct Debits are the answer.

It's easy, safe and reliable and once you're signed up your payments will be taken straight from your bank. 

Sign up with: Anglia Revenues Partnership and while you're there you can also select paperless billing and that's another thing simplified!

Businesses and organisations invited to join fight against hate crime

Businesses, community and statutory organisations are urged to become champions in the fight against hate crime.

Fenland Community Safety Partnership has launched the Hate Crime Champions Scheme to help in the fight against crime that is motivated by hostility or prejudice towards a person due to their identity, such as their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or because they are transgender.

Free training is on offer on Thursday, November 27.

Discover more and sign up at: Businesses and organisations invited to join fight against hate crime

Chat to our community safety team

Representatives of Fenland's Community Safety Partnership attend and run community events to allow people to discuss concerns and access advice and information.

They will be at:

• Coates Public Hall, 1 The Fold, Coates, Peterborough, PE7 2BP, Monday, December 1, 9.30am to 11.30am*
• Parson Drove Village Hall, Main Road, Parson Drove, Wisbech, PE13 4LA,Tuesday, December 2, 10am to noon*

Community Safety Partnerships are made up of the police, local authorities, fire and rescue services, health and probation services. Not all partners are present at all events.

Discover more about the Community Safety Partnership at: Fenland Community Safety Partnership webpage

* Details correct at time of publication. Please check with venue before travelling.

Businesses Against Abuse accreditation training

Businesses are invited to sign up for free accreditation training in Fenland to join the Businesses Against Abuse scheme.

Businesses Against Abuse (BAA) is a free training scheme to get businesses working together to prevent sexual harassment and abuse against women and girls by tackling predatory behaviour.

This is a chance for your business to take a stand to prevent violence against women and girls. 

Accreditation training sessions will take place on Thursday, January 15, and Thursday, February 5, at Fenland Hall, County Road, March.

Discover more and sign up at:

• Businesses Against Abuse on Eventbrite
• What is Businesses Against Abuse?
• How to get involved

Winter fuel payment texts are a scam

The Government has warned that if you get a text about "Winter Fuel Payment" or the "Winter Fuel Allowance", it is a scam.

Winter Fuel Payments are automatic, you do not need to do anything.

Report suspicious texts at: The Stop! Think Fraud website 

Further information and help is included in: Pensioners warned to stay alert as winter fuel payment scams surge by over 150%

Long term and deadly drug dangers highlighted

The long-term and deadly dangers of ketamine and synthetic opioids are highlighted in a new drugs campaign.

•  Ketamine can cause irreparable damage to the bladder.
•  Counterfeit medicines sold online can contain deadly synthetic opioids.
•  So-called ‘THC vapes’ often contain dangerous synthetic cannabinoids like spice.

Longer read: Young people given stark warning on deadly risks of taking drugs

Hard hitting videos:

• Ket: While each high lasts minutes. For some the damage to their bladder could last forever.
• Synthetic Opioids: What are they and why are they so dangerous?

Drug facts: FRANK, the drug information website

Government training offers skills to help in fight against terrorism

Government training is on offer to build skills in playing your part in preventing people from supporting terrorism or becoming terrorists.

The training is being offered under the national anti-terrorism programme Prevent.

Training is primarily aimed at staff working in sectors covered by the Prevent duty but is open to all. Sectors covered by the Prevent duty include education, health, local authorities, police and criminal justice agencies.

Discover more: Prevent duty training: Learn how to support people susceptible to radicalisation