FenlandCOVER Recruitment WHERE IS FENLAND?

Fenland is located in the north of Although the district is relatively rural, it is well , bordering Lincolnshire and connected with the rest of the country. The A47 Suffolk. It is just a 40 minute drive away from runs across the north of the district, linking to Cambridge and approximately 90 minutes’ drive Peterborough to the West and Norwich to the away from the north of London. East. The A141 and A142 link to Cambridge, Huntingdon, Newmarket and Ely to the The area has a rich and unique history, and is South. The A10, A14 and A1(M) are also easily affectionately known as the Fens. It used to be accessible. an area of very flat, dense forest that flooded regularly. Communities initially settled on the silt Rail stations are located in March, Whittlesey ridges and islands of the Fens over 6000 years and Manea. March has a frequent rail service to ago – many of which have become the towns Cambridge, Ely and Peterborough, as well as and villages of today. In order to survive, man direct links to Birmingham and Stansted Airport. drained the land to be able to farm successfully London King’s Cross can be accessed via using the rich peat soil across the district. Peterborough and takes around 50 minutes on the train. Airports at Norwich, Luton, Stansted Our agricultural sector still remains strong today, and London are within easy reach of Fenland, but has expanded and diversified into sectors such with a direct as processing, food sciences and engineering. link from March Construction, manufacturing and public to Stansted. administration are also strong sectors in Fenland.

Fenland is the ninth fastest growing district in the country, with both residents and tourists enjoying the beautiful scenery, heritage and open spaces. Around 95,000 people now live in the district, with the majority living in our four market towns of , March, Whittlesey and Chatteris. Accommodation is readily available, and the average house price is the lowest in the County at around £138,000 (June 2013) compared to £201,000 in East Anglia and £357,600 in Cambridge.

Our four vibrant market towns are rich in history, and all offer attractive parks and open spaces that have been recognised in the prestigious In Bloom awards. Each town has a traditional market day and offers an eclectic mix of shops, cafes, theatres and museums. Traditional festivals in the district, from the Whittlesey Straw Bear Festival to the Wisbech Rose Fair, are renowned nationally and are enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. We have over 29 villages in the district too, popular with many residents who enjoy the quieter charm of traditional rural life. There is a great deal of community spirit in Fenland, with a wide range of groups and societies available to cater to a variety of interests. OUR MARKET TOWNS

Here’s a snapshot of what it’s like to live in our Theatre has just 112 seats and offers a variety of four market towns… drama, dance and music in a cosy performance space. Film fans can visit the independently run Luxe cinema, or the brand new multi-screen WISBECH development on Cromwell Road. Located to the north of the district, Wisbech is the largest town in Fenland. It is renowned for its elegant Georgian architecture nestled MARCH between a range of shops and restaurants. March was once an Wisbech has a great deal of well-maintained island surrounded and pleasant open spaces, and was awarded a by marshes. As Silver Gilt in the national 2013 Anglia in Bloom the land was competition. It also has a port with an easily drained and made accessible modern marina and boatyard, as well more fertile, the as commercial cargo handling facilities. The town grew and , Wisbech Grammar prospered. March School and the provide is a pretty market good educational facilities that meet a range of town which follows different needs and interests. the course of the old River Nene There is a wide variety of things to do and which winds its places to see. Peckover House, a National Trust way through the property, provides a fascinating insight into the town centre, past the park and pretty riverside home of the Peckover Quaker Banking family. gardens. The river is often busy with colourful Elgood’s Brewery was one of the first Georgian boats cruising the Fenland waterways. breweries to be built outside of London, and has stood unchanged for more than 200 years. The town is a popular stopping off point for You can sample some of Elgood’s award winning boaters with free moorings in the town centre, real ales on a brewery tour or in one of the many close to shops and places to eat. The town Elgood’s pubs in town. centre has an unusual Broad Street lined with shops and is headed by an elaborate For keen historians, ‘Fountain’ which was erected to commemorate Wisbech has two the coronation of King George V. Educational museums; the Wisbech facilities are good, with the majority of and Fenland in the secondary and sixth form students attending Crescent and Octavia Neale Wade Academy. Hill’s Birthplace House on South Brink. The There is a good variety of shops from well- Wisbech and Fenland known high street names to small independent Museum is one of the stores. In addition, a large choice of hotels and oldest museums in restaurants serving English, Chinese and Indian the country. It is very food to public houses offering traditional pub unusual because it is food. Markets are held on Wednesdays and not only a museum, Saturdays, with stalls offering locally grown fruit but also home to two and vegetables, delicious cakes and bread, historic libraries and clothing, DIY tools and more! A number of a substantial archive, specialist markets are also arranged throughout holding diocesan and borough items. The the year, which can be found on the council’s original manuscript of the Charles Dickens novel, website. Fossils Galore education centre and Great Expectations, can also be found here. the Norwood Road nature reserve also provide a Wisbech also has one of the oldest surviving great opportunity to learn more about the Fens Georgian Theatres in the country. The Angles and appreciate the beautiful scenery. WHITTLESEY CHATTERIS

Whittlesey sits in the very western edge Chatteris is the of the Fens, close to the cathedral city of smallest market Peterborough. The town has an interesting town in Fenland. In maze of streets, with a mix of architecture and Neolithic times, it beautiful churches spanning several centuries. would have been a The Buttercross in the Market Place is one of seaside town as it the most striking buildings and a reminder of is perched on the Whittlesey’s rich trading and agricultural history. edge of a vast tract of salt marshes – South of the town, the narrow river, part of the but today, it is over Nene-Ouse Navigation Link meanders alongside fifty miles from the the Manor fields – a perfect spot to moor for nearest beach! The a while and take a stroll. It is also a nationally town we see today renowned area for bird watching. grew around the abbey of St Mary Whittlesey has two beautiful churches, both from around 1010. close to the town centre. The Church of St Mary A market place is famous for its glorious spire supported on formed in front elegant flying buttresses from the massive tower of the abbey, and streets evolved to connect below. The Church of St Andrew is less grand the abbey to the other settlements in the but has the light airy feel that is typical of many Fens. Although there is little sign of the abbey East Anglian churches. remaining, Chatteris is still well connected to the rest of the district and South Cambridgeshire. Each January, Whittlesey celebrates the old Cromwell Community College provides good agricultural custom of Straw Bear dancing educational facilities for the town and its with a three day festival that grows bigger and surrounding villages. better each year. ‘The Bear’, a man in a costume made of straw, is accompanied by his keeper Chatteris has a strong community spirit that is and several hundred dancers and musicians in reflected in the organisation and support for a procession around the town and stops off for local events with an annual festival held the refreshments at pubs along the route. last weekend in June, with a walking parade through the town and is followed by events for Buttercross Auctions are open on the first Friday all ages including the popular ‘Open Gardens’ of the month. The Market Place houses traders weekends. The Christmas lights switch-on is one every Friday who offer a variety of products. of the biggest events of the year, and the quality of the display is the envy of many larger towns. A market is held every Friday in Park Street, offering locally grown fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, cheese, meats and fish. There is also a community cinema, a museum and a wide range of community groups on offer. LEISURE

The history of the Fens has shaped the many clubs, archery, squash, cricket, badminton, things to see and do in the area. The drainage football, netball, hockey, boxing, bowls, dancing schemes have created over 200 miles of groups, gymnastics and martial arts. beautiful waterways, perfect for boat trips and high-quality fishing experiences. The remaining Fenland District wetland areas have become sites of international Council owns a importance for their wildlife habitats, and are leisure facility in ideal for a quiet walk or bird watching. each of the four market towns. Our local museums hold wonderful collections There are also of Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age relics a number of as well as objects from the more recent past. privately owned Indeed, some of the old fen practices such as gym facilities in eel-catching, ice skating and willow-weaving are the local vicinity. kept alive by enthusiasts today! There is also Between them, a great deal of opportunity to explore more they offer an conventional hobbies. impressive range of swimming pools, gym equipment, fitness classes GETTING OUT AND ABOUT and kids soft play areas. There is a good network of bridleways and For those who love outdoor sports, there are byways, including trails along the side of rivers a lot of different sporting teams and activities. and dykes for horseriders. Eight cycle routes, March Town Hares and Wisbech Football Club each between 13 and 25 miles, allow the Fens to have stadiums in the local towns, and variety of be easily explored other football clubs train throughout the district by bike. Each of most nights of the week. Wisbech has its own our market towns Rugby team and Netball League, with players has a ‘town trail,’ participating at a variety of levels. Basketballers which are an can join in the established Fenland Falcons interesting and team who train in Chatteris. Squash, hockey, informative way badminton, gymnastic and martial arts clubs can to learn about also be found all around the district. the popular sites by foot. Best of all, the flat terrain makes it easy for people from all walks of life to enjoy the outdoors. For those wanting to do something a bit different, Gildenburgh Water in Eastrea, near Whittlesey offers some of the best diving courses in the country, and has a 30 acre paintball site nearby.

SPORTS

For those wishing to keep fit and active, there is a whole host of different sporting and activity clubs in the district. Groups include swimming ENTERTAINMENT

There are a wide variety of places to eat and is an intimate performance venue specialising drink across the district. Community events, in drama, dance and musical theatre. The festivals and fairs are planned throughout the Chatteris Community Cinema is run by the year, and are widely publicised. Each of our community, for the community, and offers a towns has a weekly market with a selection of big screen, high-definition projection and stalls offering locally sourced goods. Popular surround sound. A multi-screen cinema and ‘Four-Seasons’ events run throughout the year, restaurant complex is set to open in April 2014 with the Christmas Market in Wisbech being one on Cromwell Road in Wisbech, offering residents in particular not to miss! excellent brand new entertainment facilities.

Whatever your age or interests, there is a wide range of things to see and do. The 18th century Elgood’s Brewery has an interesting visitors centre, with a four acre garden and tearooms. The grade II listed Octavia Hill Birthplace House is well worth a look around. In addition, the elegant Georgian Peckover House offers a 2 acre walled Victorian-style garden with summer houses, croquet and a tea room. Pidgeon’s Farm and Wisbech Castle are also well worth a look around. Each of our market towns has a museum which tells the interesting story of its heritage.

Fenland has a great community spirit, and there are a wide range of well-established community groups and facilities across the district. The brand new ACT theatre in the Thomas Clarkson Academy in Wisbech is an excellent entertainment venue. It has 452 seats, and is used by the school and local community groups. A range of events are planned in 2014 and beyond. The Angles Theatre, also in Wisbech, was built in 1793 and is one of the oldest surviving Georgian theatres in the country. It welcomes both amateur companies and visiting professionals. With just 112 seats, it EDUCATION

There is a good education system in the district. Cromwell Community Over the past few years, the percentage of College, Chatteris pupils gaining 5 or more A* - C grades has Cromwell Community increased to 62%. Furthermore, 91% of school- College is an 11-18 leavers stay on in full time education. comprehensive school with 1100 students on site, serving the town of Chatteris and the villages of Benwick, SECONDARY SCHOOLS Doddington, Manea and Wimblingdon. The school is ambitious for its students and is proud As a result of funding from Building Schools of their academic, cultural, social and sporting for the Future, major refurbishment works have achievements. Strong partnerships have been been completed at all of our state schools. established between parents, students and the These works have provided brand new state of professional school team to ensure that students the art facilities, ensuring our children secure the are well set up for future success. Cromwell best possible chances when starting out in life. Community College is part of the last wave of Secondary education is provided through state schools benefitting from the Building Schools schools in each of our market towns; for the Future programme, and has excellent facilities with a brand new ICT, Technology and Thomas Clarkson PE block that opened in 2013. Academy, Wisbech The Thomas Clarkson Neale Wade Academy, March Academy puts Neale-Wade seeks to create learning and individual a challenging learning achievement at the heart of everything it does, environment that encourages encouraging every student to gain the best high expectations for success. possible qualifications and to be well prepared The school promotes a safe, orderly, caring and for the future challenges of life. Students are supportive environment, with facilities recently also supported to develop the important skills updated through the Building Schools for the of leadership, teamwork and co-operation by Future programme. Each student’s self-esteem participating in a broad range of opportunities is fostered by positive relationships with its beyond the classroom such as sport, art, drama 1700 students and staff members. The school and community service. Its brand new state of strives to have parents, teachers and community the art building with its own rooftop terrace, members actively involved in students learning. living wall and 452 seat performance theatre The college also offers a sixth-form centre to offers an exciting learning environment for both those students who wish to stay on and take students and wider members of the community A-levels, Diplomas and City and Guilds Courses who can use the theatre facility. the chance to do so in the school environment.

The Wisbech Sixth Form Partnership is an Sir Harry Smith exciting collaboration between Thomas Community College, Clarkson Academy and the College of West Whittlesey Anglia. Its purpose is to provide a wide variety Sir Harry Smith is proud to be a comprehensive of A level subjects for the student community school, effectively serving its local community. and offer students the best of both worlds – The school currently has over 1000 students who the advantages of studying in an academic come from Whittlesey, its surrounding villages environment plus the atmosphere and freedom and Peterborough. The college has a clear aim of college life. to enable every learner to be successful, and has strong values. The good ethos it provides supports the high quality relationships both between students and also staff and students. The school takes great care to ensure that students succeed and are valued, feel safe and Wisbech, Cambridge and King’s Lynn. They have positive attitudes to learning. A major have just opened a brand new £7.2 million £10million refurbishment was completed in Technology centre on their Wisbech campus 2013 which has enhanced existing facilities, and which offers state of the art classrooms and created new teaching areas for Drama, Learning conference centre, covering a number of areas Support and Humanities. Post 16 education is from engineering, to plumbing, to Computer growing at the College, and students are well Aided Design. supported with brand new sixth form facilities.

Further education: Apprenticeships, Degrees and Evening Classes. It’s never too late to start learning something new. There are many different education routes available for students whether they’re school leavers, going onto college or wish to develop their skills through evening classes. Further educational courses are available throughout the district at the majority of schools and colleges.

Apprenticeships are proving to be increasingly popular as they give students the opportunity to learn, develop skills and earn money within the workplace. Some

apprenticeships also count towards further qualifications such as a foundation degree. The Council, schools and local businesses have worked closely together to endorse and promote apprenticeships, as it is beneficial to both the apprentice and local business as it enables them to train staff to fill skill gaps in their organisation.

College of West Anglia: For students wishing to go on to study degrees and diplomas at university, Fenland is central to a number of popular cities such as Cambridge and Peterborough that are a short journey away by train and bus. The College of West Anglia (CoWA) is one of the most successful education and training providers in the East, and is in the top 10% of colleges in the country. Along with local training centres, CoWA has campuses in CASE STUDY:

What’s it like to work for Fenland District Staff Awards ceremony also provides a great Council? opportunity to annually recognise and celebrate the success of teams and individuals. We also Fenland District Council leads by example pride ourselves on excellent communication. by introducing ground breaking initiatives, As a minimum, staff have a monthly one-to-one encouraging partnership working and playing with their manager and an annual ‘Springboard’ a key role in a whole range of major projects to which looks at past achievements, development benefit our residents. The priorities detailed in needs and future career aspirations. our Corporate Plan form the foundation of our success, ensuring that staff have a clear vision “Having worked in other local authorities, about what they are trying to achieve. Fenland’s attitude towards staff is very different. Their 100% people driven approach really is “It is a very friendly organisation; a very embedded within the organisation, and most of productive organisation and there is a one team all it really does work!” approach. Everyone does muck in and does so Fenland Staff member willingly.” Investors in People assessor Our training and development programme Our ‘One Team’ and consistently gives member of staff the ‘100% People Driven’ opportunity to develop and further themselves. approach provides a We offer a wide range of in-house courses working environment tailored to the needs of our workforce, from where staff work Enhanced Manager Programmes through the together to achieve developing skills such as chairing meetings. the best possible Many employees have gained NVQ’s, results. Employees undertaken apprenticeships and continue to work together, with take advantage of secondments, e-learning, siloed working practices and departmentalism coaching and mentoring that is on offer. abolished. Our awards cabinet is bursting at the seams, housing all sorts of different awards, We recognise that staff are the most valuable including several from the Municipal Journal asset of an organisation, and we offer a (MJ) and Local Government Chronicle (LGC). competitive employee package as a ‘thank you’ We continue to be reaccredited for Customer to our staff for all the excellent work they do. Service Excellence (CSE) and Investors in People Examples include…. (IiP), showing that we deliver high quality customer service and staff training. • Flexible working policy • Discounted membership in any of our four 84% of staff are proud to work for us leisure centres 2012 Annual Staff Survey • Car loan scheme, offering better rates then high street banks and building societies Fenland District Council is “…proud of their • Cyclescheme – save 32% of the cost of a people focus and use this to embrace customers bike and staff.” • Childcare vouchers – saving you between Customer Service Excellence assessor £900 and £1200 a year Everybody in the Council plays an important part in ensuring targets are achieved, and the services on offer to our customers are of good quality, resulting in high satisfaction. Our