Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, UK
info@capitalofthefens.org.uk

Communities

Communities

This week I’ve enjoyed talking to so many people about plans for Wisbech that I ran out of time to interview the people I wanted to for this week’s article! I look forward to meeting with the Fenland Archaeological Society (FenArch) soon to bring you more details about their work and their events. Meanwhile, I did spot this and thought I’d mention it now so you can book ahead if you like the sound of it: Dr Eric Somerville will be talking about “Opium Eating in the 19th Century Fens” for FenArch at their usual meeting place, mendi’s, on the Old Market Place, Wisbech, on 28th February from 7.30pm. Please book ahead, on info@fenarch.org.uk or text 07742 321 774. I have had the pleasure of meeting Dr Somerville through my work with Wisbech Society and so I know this will be a great talk: “his interest in opium was prompted by the fact that half the opium imported into Britain in the mid 19th Century was consumed within a 50 mile radius of Wisbech and Wisbech was the retail hub!”

Earlier in the week I met with St Peter’s Lodge who run Artist Residencies with local schools, giving the children a chance to learn about and experience various arts activities, producing a piece of work to exhibit to their families at the end of a week of fun creative activity. I’m pleased to be doing another residency there (after an Amish-style Quilt  and Yarnbombing St Peter’s Gardens). This time we will be creating a story quilt inspired by the Gypsy and Traveller community. All the residencies have produced a creative legacy that St Peter’s Lodge – and the schools they partner with – should be very proud of.

I also enjoyed about 4 meetings-in-one regarding European funding allocated to the town and how it is to be used for community projects. There were so many people there that afterwards we broke off into other mini-meetings, demonstrating what I’m always going on about in this column – so many people working hard in the Wisbech community. If you work in the third sector or just have a great idea to support local people, contact me now for more details. There’s a “project animator” specifically tasked with helping people progress project ideas for funding – some of you may know him, Alan Melton – so look out for press releases and details of how to apply. It’s a pro-active group to be led by the community, so let’s work together for what we need!

@redbcreative

lorena@redbarncreative.org.uk