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This site was produced by: LOCAL
AUTHORITY PUBLISHING
Publishers for local authorities throughout Great Britain. View
more Official Guides at www.officialguides.co.uk |
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St Wendreda’s Church in Wimblington Road is world famous
for its magnificent double-hammer beam roof with 120 carved angels
and is regarded as one of the best of its kind.
Wendred, the younger sister of Etheldreda and Sexburga, daughters
of King Anna of the Angles who died in battle in 654 AD, was a remarkable
woman of Christian faith, who had a great knowledge in the healing
properties of herbs. Sharing her faith and using this knowledge
to treat the sick she became a nun and dedicated her life to help
the inhabitants of March who suffered much from disease. After her
death her relics were enshrined in gold and taken to Ely Cathedral.
In 1016, Edward Ironside the son of King Ethelred, hoping that Wendred
could still perform miracles and bring him victory, carried her
relics into battle. In 1343, when the church was rebuilt, her remains
were returned to March; her shrine was destroyed during the reign
of Henry VIII but her final resting place is unknown.
March Museum is a voluntary run museum and one of the best of its
kind. Housed in a mid 19th century Carstone School building in the
High Street its displays give a vivid insight into life in the town
a hundred years ago. There is a wide range of domestic and agricultural
artefacts together with a selection of March records. In the yard
there is a reconstructed Fen cottage and working forge. The Museum
Society was formed to encourage support and maintenance of the collection.
Joining fee is £3 per annum. Meetings are held on the 2nd
Friday of each month in St Peters Church hall when a variety of
speakers can be heard. The Museum is open each Wednesday and Saturday
10.30am – 3.30pm. Contact 01354 655300.
The Civic Centre on the Market Place was built in 1900 as the Corn
Exchange but as such was redundant by 1911. It was then taken over
by March Urban District Council as their headquarters and where
they remained until the Council was disbanded in 1974. For twenty
years it was the local magistrates Court but became redundant again
in the late 1990s when the Court was moved to Wisbech. A sum of
money was gifted to the town in the year 2000 and the old Town Hall
was purchased for the people of March. Lottery money has seen the
premises transformed into a much-needed centre for the arts. On
the ground floor and overlooking the Market Square is the new Panini
café. March Town Council offices are also in this building.
Dunham’s Wood can be found on the B1099 on the outskirts of
March. It is a four-acre oasis in the middle of the flat Fen. As
well as having a variety of trees there are guided walks, sculptures
and a miniature railway.
Open on the last Sunday of May, June, July and every Sunday during
August 2-5pm and special events are held on Bank Holiday Sundays
and Mondays. Contact 01354 652134.
Stonea Camp is the lowest ‘Hill Fort’ in Britain. Built
in the Iron Age it was used unsuccessfully against the Romans. Its
banks and ditches were restored following archaeological excavations
in 1991. Visitors are welcome all year round. On site information
can be found on a series of interpretation boards. Stonea Camp is
situated on the B1093; turn where signposted to Stitches Farm.
The Stone Cross in the Avenue was erected circa the year 1500 and
is a wayside cross. Legend tells us that the ancient Stone Cross
once carved handsomely on all four sides with roses and coats of
arms was built on the site originally intended for St. Wendreda’s
Church. After returning
each day to the site and finding total destruction the building
was abandoned; the devastation put down to the work of the ‘devil’.
Another ancient legend, recounted by the Rev. Walker in ‘Records
of a Fen Parish’ says a walk backwards three times round the
Cross at midnight on New Year’ Eve will bring luck all of
the succeeding year.
The Fountain at the northern end of Broad Street was a monument
erected to commemorate the coronation of King George V and Queen
Mary in May 1911. There was much controversy as to its usefulness
and its position but it was finally agreed that it would be an ornament
for the finest thoroughfare in the town and seen from whichever
direction a visitor came. Originally a drinking fountain for dogs
and horses as well as people it has now lost its centrepiece and
the troughs that flanked it. A committee collected £200 but
decided this was not enough and a further £200 was collected
to provide a more permanent memorial.
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Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication
and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct,
the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any
inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any
format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. Photographs courtesy
of The Art of Colour www.theartofcolour.co.uk
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