Reading about Mr Barclay’s fury that the minor injuries units are to be taken away reminds me of the actions of Cambridgeshire County Council with regard to registration.

Cambs Times: Doddington Hospital. Picture: Steve Williams.Doddington Hospital. Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

Consultation documents were handed to each customer asking if they would like the register office to open for longer hours. Behind the scenes however, plans were taking place to close offices all over the district. I originally worked with a team of registrars in Wisbech.

We had facilities to register births and deaths and a lovely wedding room to offer the community with gardens for photographs (The Old Vicarage next to St Peter’s Church). Forced to relocate by Fenland District Council the Old Vicarage now offers services to drug users.

Wisbech joined March office and operated out of Audmoor House, now the home of the Wisbech Standard.

Unable or unwilling to pay the rent, the county council moved us on once more, this time downsizing to one-person part-time at March library and one person at Wisbech one-stop-shop. Meanwhile, outposts within the towns of Whittlesey, Chatteris, St Neots closed and Cambridge office the ‘central’ register office. All the historical Fenland registers since 1837 were boxed up and re-homed elsewhere.

Another re-structure by the county council saw the Wisbech one-stop-shop split up, tourist information disbanded and registration moved again, this time within Awdry House.

It is no longer possible to hold a register office wedding in Wisbech. If you can afford the extra expense you can marry at an approved licensed venue. Furthermore, Wisbech has no court, no coroner, no probation, all gone in the so-called ‘capital of the Fens’. Local people, seemingly, have no requirement for services, medical or otherwise and must be able and prepared to travel.

PATRICIA BAXTER

Ex Deputy Registrar