Hidden Gems, Culture Focus
Promoting local organisations, projects and people
(Articles previously printed in the Fenland Citizen)
Rose Fair week
It’s Rose Fair week! Assuming you’re reading this in the week the paper is published, then from today (3rd July) you will find a number of Churches throughout the town taking part with their own themes and activities, so please check the Rose Fair leaflet or their website for more details, or just have a …
Wisbech Shopping Variety
As a market town Wisbech has always been a central place to shop for the townspeople and the surrounding villages, and presumably also to sell – I’m enjoying reading stories of strawberry picking at this time of year, and I wonder if they were sold locally as well as taken away to sell in larger …
Promoting Wisbech’s Independent Shops
A while ago a young reporter from Cambridge came to Wisbech and recorded his thoughts – mostly negative ones – as a Facebook video stream. I responded to him there and then, but it pushed me to get all these columns I’ve been writing off the printed page and onto the internet so I can …
Fenland Artists/Makers
Having recently spent time talking to people about how they came to Wisbech and what they see for its future, I am encouraged by the positive attitude and the community spirit. I’ve also noticed just how often those who do not live here, and only read the negative press, are surprised by how many interesting …
Centre of Heritage
As readers may already have noticed, I’m as keen on heritage places as I am about community groups and indie retailers. I think combining these are what makes a place vibrant. The history of a place and its buildings are a great resource for understanding the local area and so feeling a part of it. …
Take Pride in the Lions…
This week I’ve finally got round to getting more detailed information about one of the fundraising groups you’ll have seen around town. The Lions are represented on the Christmas Fayre Steering Group, so I see them each month for that, but I wanted to find out more about the work they do locally and how …
1 June 2018
Wisbech has a fantastic selection of independent retailers. Market Street in particular has a few and some of them are moving around! Sarah’s Flowers is a local success story, 3 years in one shop (with many years experience before setting up on her own) Sarah is already expanding into new premises, congratulations to her and …
Cambridgeshire Voluntary Support
This week, I would like to feature one of the organisations helping those this column seeks to champion, CCVS: Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service. With thanks to Alan Turner. CCVS is a source of expert help and advice for the third sector – charities and voluntary community groups – by providing them with the information …
May 2018
This week, I would like to feature one of the organisations helping those this column seeks to champion, CCVS: Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service. With thanks to Alan Turner. CCVS is a source of expert help and advice for the third sector – charities and voluntary community groups – by providing them with …
April 2018
Continuing the recent heritage theme (though I will return to indie businesses soon) I’m looking forward to the last week of April with three interesting events on. I’ve previously mentioned the talk on Medieval Fenland by Sue Oosthuizen with FenArch, at Mendi’s, Old Market – 7.30pm Wednesday 24th April. The Museum are hosting a talk …