Editor John Elworthy proposed the toast to the town of March at the annual charity ball hosted by the Mayor of March.
Mr Elworthy spoke of the many changes he had seen over his 17 years with the Cambs Times and described March as exuding that “loveable, traditional, English feel” that was its characteristic.
He spoke of how community campaigns and championed by the local press and taken up by “good decent councillors working in tandem” had brought about many improvements.
Mr Elworthy said he was particularly proud of the efforts to secure safety improvements on our roads that began with the Goosetree traffic lights to safety bridges at Bedlam Bridge and to speed cameras on the 40ft. And he singled out the Estover sports campaign as another highlight.
“March has moved on and you only have to cast your minds back to the Neale Wade of some years ago and to what it is done – a college of which the town can and should be rightly proud,” he said.
He was thanked by the mayor Cllr Jan French who said that relationships with the press were on the whole very positive. A strong local press provided the community with much of what they needed to know, even at times when they uncovered issues that some felt uncomfortable with.
A four course meal, provided by Fine Catering (Cassanos) was of homemade soup, roast beef, white chocolate cheesecake and cheese and biscuits.
March air cadets were on hand for a guard of honour to welcome visiting mayors and other guests whilst Sally Rose and Paul Hayward provided the entertainment with their duo Back Two.
Town clerk Clive Lemmon opened the dinner by saying grace, Norman Topliss, a former chief executive of Fenland Council, proposed the loyal toast and MC was Cllr Kim French.
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