It is with sadness that we learn about the death of former March Mayor, Barry Howlett.
Barry Howlett served as the Mayor of March in 1996-1997.
Barry worked on the railway from 1952 up until he decided to take early retirement in 1999 following the closure of the railway depot.
Barry did National Service and was a member of the Territorial Army for 31 years. He continued this military interest by being Parade Marshal in March for 22 years. He stepped down from this role in 2008, but continued to attend the Remembrance services held in the town.
All aboard! Travel Buddies project expands thanks to additional funding A project aimed at increasing peoples’ confidence using public transport is now open to even more Fenland residents.
Fenland District Council’s Travel Buddies project launched earlier this year thanks to Care Together funding from Cambridgeshire County Council. Aimed at residents aged 65 and over, it offers free days out to help people gain confidence using public transport and make new social connections.
Now the project is being expanded to offer opportunities to adults aged 40-64 that would benefit, thanks to extra funding from Greater Anglia’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund.
In addition, the new funding means train journeys can also be included in future Travel Buddies trips, helping to broaden them even further.
The Travel Buddies project has already proved a great success, with previous outings to the cinema in Wisbech (March 2025), and visit to the historic Peckover House in Wisbech (June 2025), attracting excellent feedback from participants.
Take part in a trip The next Travel Buddies trip takes place on Thursday 18 September. It will include a train ride to Ely, where participants will enjoy a light lunch at The Maltings on the riverfront.
Spaces on trips are limited, and some are better suited for specific needs. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact the project team so they can be matched with the best option. To book your place or learn more, email: transportandaccess@fenland.gov.uk or call 01354 622318.
Cllr Gary Christy, Fenland District Council’s Cabinet member for Transport, said: “The Travel Buddies project has already shown how valuable these outings can be for building confidence and meeting new people. The trips have received fantastic feedback, so we’re excited to be adding train journeys and opportunities for more people to get involved.
“Places on each trip are allocated on a first come, first served basis, so I’d encourage everyone to book early. I’d also urge people to spread the word to family and friends, so they don’t miss out on these free opportunities.”
Scott Dolling, Greater Anglia’s Partnerships Manager, said: “Travel Buddies is a great initiative to enable people in the Fenland area to access public transport with confidence. It is one of 28 locally led projects across our network that we have been able to support through the Customer and Community Improvement Fund which totals £350k across the area we cover.”
The Travel Buddies project for people aged 65 and over is being run as a two-year pilot, with funding continuing until December 2026. The additional train element of the project, and the trips for people aged 40-64, will run until March 2026. For more information, visit: www.fenland.gov.uk/travelbuddies
The Fenland group has opened its doors to new members aged 13 to 18. The group meets in March on Wednesdays from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Contact Cadets@cambs.police.uk
Weekly activities, weekend trips around the county and to support big shows and events in London are all agenda items for our cadets.
Fenland District Council Press Release August 19, 2025
March town transformation continues
Further progress has been made in the transformation of March town centre with an area at a gateway point to the town now spruced up.
A patch of High Street outside Iceland now has new planters and paving. A large dead tree that previously dominated the space has been removed.
Work on the area started in March this year funded by savings made during the delivery of the Broad Street regeneration scheme as part of the March Future High Streets Fund programme.
Fenland District Council’s Cllr Chris Seaton, lead member of the March Future High Streets steering group, said: “It’s wonderful to see another area of the town given a fresh new look.
“This entire project has been about enabling March town centre to be a vibrant, attractive place to be for businesses and visitors fit for the future.
“Our thanks goes to all involved in driving forward this successful project, in particular Fenland District Council officer Matt Wright who has led the project.”
As part of the transformation project, work is currently under way to construct a replacement toilet block on the western edge of Grays Lane. Work is expected to be complete in September.
The public realm works have been delivered by Fenland District Council through the £8.4million March Future High Streets investment programme, funded by the Government’s Future High Streets Fund (£6.4million) and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Market Town’s Fund (£2million). They came alongside transformational road layout changes to Broad Street delivered by Cambridgeshire County Council.
New look area of March. From left, March mayor and Fenland district councillor Andrew Woollard, with district councillors Jan French, Steve Count, Chris Seaton
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