Turves is a quiet residential area on the back road between March and Whittlesey. It is surrounded by arable land.
It is thought that the name derives from the cutting of turf. Domestic dwellings are situated on the South side of March road and on the east side of Burnt House road.
There was a Quaker settlement at Turves in the late 1600’s hence ‘Quakers drove leading off Burnt House road.
The Three Horse Shoes is recorded as far back as 1822 when the land lord was Thomas Boyce.
To ward off mosquitoes, which were prevalent in the fens it was customary to nail three horse shoes to the foot of the bed and recite this rhyme.
‘FEYTHER, SON AND HOLY GHOST
NAALE THE DIVIL TO THE POST,
THROICE I STRIKES WITH HOLY CROOK
WON FOR GOD AND ONE FOR WOD AND ONE FOR LOK’
Near to the Three Horse shoes can be seen a small obelisk war memorial. Men from here and Eastrea are also commemorated on the Coates memorial.
