Members of The March Society and their guests took part in a “very informative” early evening stroll around the riverside, market and acre areas of March Conservation Area.

The walk started at Town Bridge where March Society secretary Andrew Clarke explained in detail about the benefits and responsibilities of owners of buildings in a conservation area as well as the power of the local council to take action.

Maps of the March Conservation Area were shown; they are also accessible on Fenland District Council’s website.

The group went on to look at buildings in the Acre Road/Little London area. Most of these buildings are in a very poor state and it was strongly agreed that this area is long overdue for sympathetic development and enhancement.

Andrew remarked that part of the problem is that some of the building’s owners are unknown. Moving to the Market Place, Andrew described why some of the buildings are of special architectural and historic interest.

After a brief look at the Grade ll listed Elwyn House, the group walked along Elwyn Road riverside to the end of this part of the Conservation Area at Wherry Close.

Several cottages in this section of Elwyn Road were described and discussed including one which is Grade ll listed.

It was a fascinating walk that included raising concerns about the lack of progress in the Little London area as well as the deleterious effect of allowing large plastic business names (some illuminated) on a few of the buildings and the prominent siting of satellite dishes on some of the homes.

The March Society’s next event, on September 12 at 7pm in March Library, will be a talk by Sue Slack on ‘Extraordinary Women in World War One in Cambridgeshire’. Everyone is welcome. Admission costs £2 for members and £3 for non-members – the price includes tea, coffee and biscuits.

The talk links with Heritage Open Days’ theme of ‘Extraordinary Women’ from September 6 to 9 and 13 to 16.

This is our opportunity to celebrate where we live. There will be 12 March events all free of charge and The March Society will have a display in March Library. Details on Heritage Open Days via www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/advanced-search

For more information about The March Society visit www.themarchsociety.org.uk or visit their Facebook and Twitter pages.