Fenland Heritage Weekend8th - 11th September 2011

Explore Fenland’s History - FREE!

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Many thanks to the organisers at all the properties, who are investing their own time and effort to make the Heritage Weekenda success. Please do remember that they reserve the right to vary or cancel their programme due to circumstances beyond their

control and it is advisable, where possible, to contact individual properties for last minute information.

Property / Event Days Open Page

A Look At West End March, Past and Present (Walk) Sat 5

All Saints’ Church, Walsoken Sat Sun 6

Angles Theatre, Wisbech Thu Fri 6

Chatteris Quirks and Curiosities Trail Thu Fri Sat 3

Friends Meeting House, Wisbech Thu Fri Sat Sun 8

‘Glimpses into the History of Chatteris’, Guided Walk Sun 3

Guyhirn Chapel of Ease Sat Sun 8

March Library, Cambridge Family History & More Sat 5

March Museum Sat 4

March Railway Station Sat 4

March Waste Transfer Station Fri 6

One Hundred Yards Around the Market Square, March (Walk) Sun 4

Octavia Hill Birthplace House, Wisbech Sat Sun 8

Octavia View, Wisbech (Art Exhibitions) Thu Fri Sat 7

Peckover House Sat 7

The Ship Inn, March Thu Fri Sat Sun 5

The Church of St Peter & St Paul, Wisbech Thu Fri Sat Sun 6

St Peter’s Church, March Thu Fri Sat 5

Trinity Church, March Fri Sat 4

St Wendreda’s Church, March Thu Fri 5

Whittlesey Festival Sun 3

Vivien Fire Engine Trust, Wisbech Sat Sun 7

Wisbech Castle Sat Sun 8

Wisbech Council Chamber Fri Sat Sun 7

Wisbech General Cemetery Sun 6

Wisbech Social Club & Institute Sat Sun 7

CONTENTS

Which Fenland properties would you like to see open on Heritage Weekend?Please let us know here - cut out this slip and either post it or pop it into the box at the Tourist InformationCentre, 2 - 3 Bridge Street, Wisbech, Cambs PE13 1AF. Or let us know by email to tourism@fenland.gov.uk

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Chatteris would have been a seaside town in Neolithic times, it perched on the edge of a vast tract of salt marshes, withthe sea just to the east.

The town we see today grew around the abbey of St Mary from around 1010. A market place formed in front of theabbey and streets evolved to connect the abbey to the other settlements in the Fens. Although there is little sign of theabbey remaining, Chatteris is still well connected and is an ideal base for touring the Fens and south Cambridgeshire.

Chatteris Quirks and Curiosities TrailChatteris Museum, 14 Church Lane, Chatteris, PE16 6JA 01354 696319 www.chatterismuseum.co.ukChatteris Library, 2 Furrowfields Road, PE16 6DY

Chatteris may seem an ordinary small town but it has its fair share of quirks and curiosities and the odd connection withthe rich and famous. What has the holder of a Victoria Cross and a jail breaker got in common? Be guided to the spotwhere the nuns from Chatteris abbey have left behind a valued timepiece. Reach out and touch the Town's mortuaryslab where the secrets of death were revealed by science. Find out who was known as the "Carrot King". What isvermiculite and what has Chatteris got to do with it?

Pick up a leaflet from Chatteris Museum in Church Lane or the Library in Furrowfields Rd and follow our Quirks andCuriosities Trail and discover the answers to all these questions as you meander through the town.

Thursday 8th Museum open 2.00 - 3.30pm; Library closedFriday 9th Library open 10.00am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 7.00pm; Museum closedSaturday 10th Museum open 10.00am - 1.00pm; Library open 10.00am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 7.00pm

CHATTERIS

Whittlesey sits on the very western edge of the Fens, close to the cathedral city ofPeterborough. The town has an interesting maze of streets with a mix of architecturespanning several centuries. The Buttercross in the Market Place is one of the moststriking buildings and a reminder of Whittlesey’s rich trading and agricultural history.

Whittlesey has two beautiful churches, both close to the town centre. The Church of StMary is famous for its glorious spire supported on elegant flying buttresses from themassive tower below. The Church of St Andrew is less grand but has the light airy feelthat is typical of many East Anglian churches.

Each January Whittlesey celebrates the old agricultural custom of Straw Bear dancing with a three day festival that growsbigger and better each year. ‘The Bear’, a man in a costume made of straw, is accompanied by his keeper and severalhundred dancers and musicians in a procession around the town and stops off for refreshments at pubs along the route.

Whittlesey FestivalThe Whittlesey Festival coincides with Heritage Weekend, being held on Sunday 11th Septmber. A fantastic family dayout, including a classic car show, dancing and entertainers, stalls and, a craft fair from FenCraft Fairs and a World War11 Spitfire fly past. For more information please contact Pauline Edge on 01733 208414 or Jenny Parker on 01733351005

Sunday 11th 10.00am - 4.00pm

The Buttercross

WHITTLESEY

Guided Walk, ‘Glimpses into the History of Chatteris’Local Historian Maureen James will lead a circular guided walk around the town which willprovide fascinating glimpses into aspects of local history from Medieval times to thepresent day. Starts from the car park opposite Chatteris Museum.

Sunday 11th 3.00pm

The Church of St Peter& St Paul

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MARCHMarch was once an island surrounded by marshes. As the land was drained and made more fertile the town grew andprospered. Today March is a busy market town on the course of the old River Nene which winds its way through thetown centre, past the park and pretty riverside gardens. The river is often busy with colourful boats cruising the Fenlandwaterways. This stretch of river is part of the Nene-Ouse Navigation Link which joins the River Nene at Peterboroughwith the River Ouse at Denver.

The town centre has an unusual Broad Street lined with shops and headed by an elaborate ‘Fountain’ which was erectedto commemorate the coronation of King George V and which celebrates its Centenary this year. South of the town themedieval Church of St Wendreda has a stunning double hammerbeam roof with 120 carved angels which is said to be‘worth cycling 40 miles in a head wind to see’.

Trinity Church, Methodist/United ReformedHigh Street, March, PE15 9LH http://www.eamethodist.org.uk/churches.php?March(Trinity)

Built in the late 19th Century to replace the small St.Paul’s Methodist Chapel in Gas Road. Thereis a memorial patio garden at the back of the church hall which was created by funding fromCommunity Champions; the entire interior of the church was refurbished just over 20 yearsago to make it more user friendly as a community centre. Adjoining the church there is a MemorialGarden which used to be a burial ground for one of the Baptist churches further along the HighStreet. Trevor Bevis the local historian asserts that it was used as a mass burial ground for someof the hundreds of victims of the town’s Typhoid epidemic of the 1840s.

There will be a table top sale on the Saturday, with refreshments available in the Hall.

Friday 9th 10.00am - 4.00pm Saturday 10th 10.00am - 2.00pm

One Hundred Yards Around the Market SquareMeet outside the Town Hall, Market Place, March, PE15 9JF

Take a walk into March history with Edna Stacey, Museum archivist & local historian. Meet outside theTown Hall, no need to book in advance.

Sunday 11th September 2.00pm

March Railway StationStation Approach, Station Road, March, PE15 8SJ

The railway first came to March on December 10th 1846 and was open to the public in January 1847.The platforms were opened on November 23rd 1885. The Friends of March Station group was formedin August 2009 to rejuvenate the disused side of the station. The plans are to bring the centre roomsback into use as a small meeting room, railway museum, and art gallery. The Heritage Weekend OpenDay will include a number of railway related displays. For more information please see the websitehttp://www.fomrs.org.uk.

Saturday 10th 10.00am - 3.00pm

March MuseumHigh Street, March, PE15 9JJ 01354 655300 www.marchmuseum.co.uk

Dating from 1851, the building was for many years a school until purchased by March Town Councilto be used as a Museum and opened as such in 1977. Set up as a local folk museum, there are anumber of displays showing the life and times of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries and ongoingto the present day. On Saturday 10th Jamie Jordan from Fossils Galore will be on hand with awonderful fossil display and will also provide a fossil identification service.

Saturday 10th, 10.30am – 3.30pm

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St Wendreda’s ChurchWimblington Road, March, PE16 9QW www.stwendreda.co.uk

St Wendreda's Church is the only Grade One Listed building in the town. Almost certainly the currentchurch is built on the site of an earlier Saxon timber church. Wendreda was a daughter of the SaxonKing Anna and, in the 7th century, established a mission on the site to minister to the poor and needy.The church was enlarged in the 1340's to house the shrine of the relics of St. Wendreda, and became aplace of pilgrimage. The great glory of Saint Wendreda's Church, for which it receives world renown, isit's ancient double-hammer beamed roof built between 1470 and 1520, which is adorned with 118carved Angels, making it almost unique. Guided Tours from the Church Hall, adjacent to the church.

Thursday 8th Tours at 11.00am and 2.00pmFriday 9th Tours at 11.00am and 2.00pm

St.Peter’s ChurchHigh Street, March, PE15 9JR www.stpeterschurchmarch.co.uk

St Peter's church dates from 1881. The clock is believed to date from the late 17th century and to bethe oldest working mechanical object in March, made without bolt or screw. It was erected in the oldMarket buildings in 1832 and when the buildings were demolished in 1898, the clock was given to StPeter's church by Mr. George Sharman. The bell was made in 1832 in Downham Market and weighedfive hundred-weight. Tours of the bell tower will be led by Peter Whitcombe and by Jennifer Lawlerof The March Society. People should be aware that there is a spiral staircase with over 50 steps, so isonly suitable for the reasonably fit and is undertaken entirely at one's own risk. There will be amaximum of 6 people per tour.

Thursday 8th and Friday 10th Church open 9.00am - 5.00pm. Tours 12 noon to 2.00pm, by appointment. Please telephone Peter Whitcombe on 07519 237033 to book.

Saturday 11th Church open 9.00am - 5.00pm. Tours every hour on the hour between 11.00am and 3.00pm.

A Look at West End March, Past and PresentGuided Walks led by Andrew Clarke, Secretary of the March Society.

Meet behind Barclays Bank, 2 Broad Street, March, PE15 8TQ.

These will be gentle walks and will take a maximum of 40 minutes. Ideal size of group 15, but no need tobook, just turn up on the day.

Saturday 10th Walks at 10.00am and 2.00pm

Cambridge Family History society and more at March LibraryMarch Library, City Road, March

For Heritage Weekend, March Library will be host to the Cambridge Family History Society, members of which will beon hand to provide information, advice and an introduction to family history resources. There will be Local StudiesActivity Sheets (for all ages) based on March and the Fens, displays from the Cambridgeshire Community ArchivesNetwork, the University of the Third Age, The March Society and a March Museum exhibit.

Saturday 10th September 10.00am - 3.00pm

The Ship InnNene Parade, March, PE15 8TD 01354 656999

The Ship Inn is a Grade II listed building believed to be from the 17th century or earlier and has beenrecently refurbished. It is a timber-framed building with an overhanging upper storey, thatched roofand ornately carved beams. There was a prison underground which has been filled in. For HeritageWeekend there will be a special display of photos and information about the history of The Ship overthe last 150 years. Visitors are invited to drop in at their leisure during normal opening times.

Thursday 8th - Sunday 11th, normal opening times

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March Waste Transfer StationMelbourne Avenue, March, PE15 0EN

Interested in the local environment? Want to know what the new buildings in MelbourneAvenue are? Want to know where your rubbish goes once Fenland District Council collectsit? Then this is your chance.

This is a working site with vehicles and plant moving. High visibility jackets and hard hats will be provided and onlymembers of the public wearing stout shoes or boots will be allowed on the site. No sandals. No Under 9’s. Under 14’smust be accompanied by a responsible adult. Maximum number for tour 15. Book via The March Society websitewww.themarchsociety.org.uk.

Friday 9th Tours at 10.30am and 12.30pm Please book as detailed above

WISBECH

All Saints Church, WalsokenChurch Road, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE13 3RA

All Saints has been a centre of worship since 1146. Situated exactly 1 mile from the centre ofWisbech, the church has been described as 'The grandest Norman parish church in Norfolk'. Talksby Peter Wadlow, Churchwarden, during the weekend. All welcome to attend Sunday service.

Saturday 10th 10.00am - 4.00pmSunday 11th 12.00 noon - 4.00pm

The Angles TheatreAlexandra Road, PE13 1HQ 01945 474447

Wisbech Theatre was built in 1793 by Mr Roberton, the manager of the Lincoln Circuit. Between1846 and 1977 the theatre had many different uses including: chapel for Wesleyan MethodistReformers, grain store, store for a tent maker, public baths, a school of Science and Art, town library,and as a Christian Spiritualist Church. In 1978 the then recently formed 'Angles Theatre Company'rediscovered the theatre and leased it from the owners.

Thursday 8th & Friday 9th 12.00 noon - 4.00pm

The Church of St Peter & St PaulChurch Terrace, Wisbech, PE13 1HB

Set in the very heart of Wisbech, the present church was first built in 1187AD when a Norman stonecastle was erected to replace an earlier wooden structure. The church is unique in that it possesses adouble nave and twin chancels, the construction reflects the wealth and prosperity of the medievalguilds that built the original church. Tours will be held of the church tower on Saturday and Sunday; formore details and to reserve a place please telephone 01945 582508.

Thursday 8th & Friday 9th 10.30am - 4.00pm Church open, tower closedSaturday 10th & Sunday 11th 10.00am - 4.00pm Church and tower open

Wisbech, the Capital of the Fens, is renowned for its elegant Georgian architecture, a legacy from an era when the townwas a booming trade centre. Stroll along the Brinks or round the Crescent to see some fine Georgian houses. A littlefurther along North Brink is a completely different example of Georgian architecture. Elgoods Brewery was one of thefirst Georgian breweries to be built outside London and has stood almost unchanged for more than 200 years.

Wisbech General CemeteryNorth End, Wisbech, PE13 1PE

Set up in 1836 primarily as a cemetery for non-conformists. The land was purchased from one of the leadingnonconformists of the day, Mr Joshua Bland, and over the next 100 years many prominent citizens of Wisbech wereburied here.

Sunday 11th 10.00am - 4.00pm

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Wisbech Council Chamber1 North Brink PE13 1JR 01945 461333

Erected in 1811 as an Exchange Hall on a site previously occupied by The Nag’s Headpublic house. The upper rooms were originally a gentlemen’s club billiard room andnewspaper room and have been in use for Council business since 1836. The CouncilChamber houses many works of art, artefacts and official documents which reflect thecivic history and accomplishments of Wisbech.

Friday 9th 10.00am - 4.00pmSaturday 10th 10.00am - 4.00pmSunday 11th 10.00am - 4.00pm

Vivien Fire Engine Trust1 North Brink, Wisbech, PE13 1JR

"Vivien" the Leyland fire engine proudly served Wisbech from 1932 to 1963. Named after theMayoress at the time, it was regarded as one of the most up-to-date fire engines in thedistrict. It featured the distinctive “Borough of Wisbech Fire Brigade” lettering and theBorough of Wisbech armorial bearings on the side. Vivien will be parked outside WisbechTown Council Chamber on North Brink and an exhibition will be on display in the Chamber.

Saturday 10th 10.00am - 4.00pmSunday 11th 10.00am - 4.00pm

Octavia View10a-14 South Brink, Wisbech, PE13 1JQ

Two free exhibitions organised by Atelier East. Thursday there will feature young artist MaddieRumbelow, while on Friday and Saturday view the work of Wisbech-born artist Neville Palmer.Octavia's shop will also be open and there is a seating area indoors and outdoors.

Thursday 8th 10.00am - 4.00pmFriday 9th 10.00am - 4.00pmSaturday 10th 10.00am - 4.00pm  Meet the artist from 2.00pm - 4.00pm

‘Calling’by Neville Palmer

Wisbech Social Club and InstituteHill Street, Wisbech PE13 1AP 01945 587437

A movement for a working men's club started in 1863, the parent body being the Young Men's TotalAbstinence Society. Its first headquarters were in hired rooms in Upper Hill Street, but in 1867 theclub moved to its existing premises at Alfred House, Lower Hill Street. This building has numerousrooms and passageways and a landmark Clock Tower. An exhibition of photographs from the LilianReam archive will be on display.

Saturday 10th 10.00am - 5.00pmSunday 11th 10.00am - 4.00pm

Peckover HouseNorth Brink, Wisbech, PE13 1JR 01945 583463

A classic Georgian merchant's townhouse, it was lived in by the Peckover family for 150 years. Theywere staunch Quakers, which meant they had a very simple lifestyle; yet at the same time they ran asuccessful private bank. Both facets of their life can be seen as you wander through the house andgardens. The gardens themselves are outstanding – 0.8 hectare (two acres) of sensory delight, completewith orangery, summerhouses, croquet lawn and rose garden with more than 60 species of rose.

Saturday 10th 12.00 noon - 5.00pm Free Entry for Heritage Weekend

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Friends Meeting House21 North Brink PE13 1JX 01945 773181

Built in 1854, the Friends’ Meeting House replaced an earlier building in which local Quakers had worshipped since1711. The plainness of this newer building, still in regular use, reflects something of the fundamental simplicity of theQuaker faith. It was built by Algernon Peckover, an amateur architect, it has behind it is a small graveyard where manymembers of the Peckover family are buried. Another grave is that of the reclusive Jane Stuart, an illegitimate daughter ofJames II, who came to live in Wisbech and died here in 1742, aged 88. 2011 sees the celebration of 300 years of Quakerworship on the site and visitors are invited to attend and experience a Quaker worship meeting.

Thursday 8th 11.00am - 2.00pmFriday 9th 11.00am - 3.00pmSaturday 10th 11.00am - 3.00pmSunday 11th 12.00 noon - 4.00pm

Octavia Hill Birthplace House7 South Brink, Wisbech, PE13 1JB 01945 476358

Octavia Hill (1838-1912) was a woman ahead of her time. An artist and a radical, a pioneerof affordable housing and can be seen as the founder of modern social work. Her formidableachievements as an environmental and open space campaigner led to her co-founding theNational Trust. Her life and work is documented here in this handsome Georgian housefacing the river Nene. The Museum has recently completed the major building programme,which restored the Georgian Grade II* listed building to its original size.

Saturday 10th 1.00pm - 4.30pm

Guyhirn Chapel of EaseHigh Road, Guyhirn PE13 4EF 01945 410775

Also known as Guyhirn Old Church or Guyhirn Puritan Chapel, the Chapel of Ease is a plain,finely proportioned, small rectangular building constructed partly of brick and partly ofBarnack stone. Both its exterior appearance and the austerity of its internal arrangements,with the original narrow wooden pews to prevent kneeling still in place, proclaim thebuilding's Puritan origin. It was in fact designed at the end of the CromwellianCommonwealth, when the Puritan mode of worship was the accepted one, but by the timeconstruction was completed in 1660, the Restoration had come and Anglicanism hadresumed its place as the official (and only legal) form of English religious observance. It was inregular use until 1878, but then rarely used,becoming derelict until 1973 when itsrestoration began.

Saturday 10th 10.00am - 3.00pmSunday 11th 10.00am - 3.00pm Heritage Service at 2.30pm

Wisbech CastleMuseum Square, Wisbech, PE13 1ES

Wisbech Castle is a Regency Villa built in 1816, standing on the site of a Norman Castle of1087, Bishop’s Palace of 1478 and Thurloes Mansion of 1656. The site was the startingpoint for the development of the town, with the Market Place being established justoutside the original castle walls. The house is presently furnished in the Regency style andincludes interesting furniture and artefacts. In the garden the vaults may be explored;these formed the cellars of the mansion of 1656.

Friday 9th 10.00am - 4.00pmSaturday 10th 10.00am - 4.00pm