
Library ‘Engage’ Events
The library is of course a source of information on all things, but did you know they run regular activities and events? You can find something to suit everyone. I went along to one of their “Engage” events today, always the last Thursday morning of the month.
Today’s Engage was with Diane Calton Smith, a lovely local lady whose talks and books are very popular – it was a full house today, and there was a queue of people wanting to thank her and get a signed copy of her latest book – one lady said “brilliant as always, brings it alive!”
I got a chance to chat with Diane afterwards, and asked her when she started writing: “I have always loved writing, as well as local history,” she told me; “however, it wasn’t until working on an exhibition for Peckover House in 2014 that I began writing about local history in earnest”. She’s since produced five books in five years – “as well as history books, I love to write mysteries, which I set in Wisbech and the Fens”. In the audience at the talk were two others who have a great knowledge and interest in the town and its heritage, and have written books and/or given talks. I know other history buffs who research diligently and produce guides, books and talks for us, all from this one small town! As Diane says: “I am constantly astonished about how much history our small Fenland town of Wisbech has to offer” and I would add that I am pleased that so many are keen to write and talk about it, helping the rest of us discover hidden gems in the history of Wisbech. (See Etcetera on Bridge Street, the Museum, the Wisbech Society and FenArch for just a few places to find books and talks.)
Diane’s latest book is “Plague, Flood and Gewgaws” – about Tudor and Stuart Wisbech, from written records of the time, including reference to the Fenland Tigers, so if you ever wondered what that meant, now’s your chance!
The book officially launches at Wisbech and Fenland Museum on 22nd June, at 11am, so there’s time to go there in the morning, the Secret Garden in the afternoon (see last article) and then the Old Chapel, North End in the evening for Fenland Poetry and Prose with tasters of Fenland food. A busy day, luckily also one of the longest days, enjoy!