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

Hidden Gems, Culture Focus

Promoting local organisations, projects and people

(Articles previously printed in the Fenland Citizen)

Geoff Hastings

I have no idea what will be happening politically by the time you read this, but I’m sure that many of you will be celebrating Christmas, and hopefully getting to spend some time with your families, in the next couple of weeks. There’s still enough time to get a few presents in, and you can …

Wreath Making

Writing this before “Black Friday” means I’m seeing so many adverts for so many things. Add to that the Christmas ads and I do feel a little “Bah Humbug!” at all the commercialisation of what should be a mid-winter get together, to spend time with friends and family, looking back on the year and making …

Talks and workshops

While I am enjoying a particularly colourful Autumn, we are hurtling towards Winter, the weather is definitely getting colder and the nights draw in. Things to do don’t stop though, there’s still talks from Wisbech Society and FenArch, as well as group meetings of the various societies and clubs, so you won’t be stuck for …

Radical, Protest, Swingtime

This week it’s all about local people and places putting on events for us, we’re lucky to have so much. Keep an eye out for others, but here’s the ones I have seen. The Gateway Film Festival runs for 10 days across the area including at The Luxe in Wisbech – a reflection of their …

Mary Christmas!

Half term and Halloween are fast approaching, and you’ll find a fabulous selection of events going on in our hidden gems. Just a couple here to get you started, search online or at the library and get your diaries filled up this Autumn. Museums at Night is a national event and Wisbech and Fenland Museum …

Everyone an Artist, Everyone a Scientist

Three columns in one this week! Firstly, Fun Palaces – an ongoing campaign for cultural democracy, with an annual weekend of action every October. “The campaign promotes culture at the heart of community and community at the heart of culture. The combination of arts, craft, science, tech, digital, heritage and sports activities, led by local …

Market Place Update!

A month or so ago I wrote about pubs in the Market Place, and shops too. I got some wrong (though thought I was correct at the time, having done some research!) After chatting to members of the Wisbech Heritage Forum (on Facebook) I corrected myself, which is how research into any part of history …

Autumnal Equinox

Time is moving on fast, Summer is almost over and Autumn is on its way. Living where we do, we get to see more changes – and earlier – than in cities, as we have the farmers working hard to get the crops in and fields ready for the next one. I like hearing the …

Heritage Open Days 2019

Following the last column, I did indeed receive corrections to my descriptions of the buildings in the Market Place! I was pleased to receive friendly notes about the Barber Shoppe building, and also to tell me that I got Woolworth’s wrong – I remember Woolworth’s, how could I get that wrong?! The people telling me …

Historic Market Place

Wisbech has been a market town for centuries – the “Old Market” has been named that for centuries… So it stands to reason that the buildings have changed use over this time. If you wander around town like a tourist, especially if you take the time to talk to the owners of shops and businesses, …