Heritage days offer chance to enjoy Fenland attractions free of charge

This year’s annual Heritage Open Days run from Friday September 8 to Sunday September 17 and buildings and visitor attractions are opening their doors free of charge.

Volunteers run these events to celebrate our heritage, community and history and places which normally charge entry are free, and where there is normally no entrance fee, there will be special activities, displays, tours, walks and talks.

This year the theme is ‘Creativity Unwrapped’ and it is hoped the events will inspire everyone to be creative with their photos, poems, artwork, craftwork, stories etc and share them in the case of the March Society and Heritage Open Days by emailing: [email protected] and [email protected]

The March Society has organised 17 March entries offering in total 20 events.

March Library has two events ‘Have a Browse’ local resources and ‘Create your Favourite Buildings’ (both on Saturday September 9 – first is from 9.30am to 3.30pm, the other is 2pm to 3pm) model-making from recycled material, plus there will be The March Society’s display on what is happening in March’s Heritage Open Days.

The town’s churches will be open including: St Mary’s (Saturday September 9 10am to 2pm), St John’s (Saturday September 9 10am to 5pm) and St Peter’s (Saturday September 9 11am to 2pm). They will be open to welcome visitors including ‘Ride and Stride’ on September 9 with tours, information on the buildings and their history, plus refreshments in St Mary’s and St John’s.

On three days St Wendreda’s Church (Wednesday September 13, Thursday 14 and Friday 15 11am to 1pm) will have tours around the building including its renowned angel roof.

Centenary Baptist Church (Friday September 15), it will be open and offering an opportunity to see round the building and its stalactites and hear its history, plus refreshments.

March Museum’s ‘Behind the Scenes’ tours on two days (Friday September 8 and Friday September 15 both noon to 3.30pm) will feature areas not usually open to the public.

Two Listed 16th century buildings are taking part: The Ship Inn (Friday September 8 to Sunday September 17 daily from noon) will have a display of photos and information and there will be story-telling in Ye Olde Griffin Hotel (Wednesday September 13 7pm) about the building, the people and events.

There will be walks: a guided walk around Station Road Cemetery on September 14 from 2pm, nature and gravestones, with stories about local people, including well-known and military; a walk in the north end of March on Sunday September 10 from 2.30pm meet in Darthill Road car park, remembering lost buildings and looking at surviving buildings and buildings at risk.

A walk from the Stone Cross to March Museum (Sunday September 17 2pm) on the architecture and history.

And a photo walk in West End park (Monday September 11 7pm to 8pm) and riverside natural environment.

There will be two events in Ring’s End Nature Reserve – a tour and work party, and an evening ‘Brambles and Rambles’ walk.

The Brambles and Rambles walk is on Tuesday September 12 6.30pm to 8.30pm and people are invited to bring a basket and harvest some blackberries.

Stonea Camp from the Neolithic to the Iron Age – the creation of a hill fort at Stonea (Sunday September 10 from 2pm to 4pm).

Peckover Gardens, Peckover House Wisbech (Saturday September 9 and Sunday September 10 10am to 4pm) a chance to explore the gardens and have a go at traditional lawn games.

Wisbech and Fenland Museum Open Day (Saturday September 9 10am to 4pm).

Wisbech Corn Exchange (Saturday September 9 to Sunday September 17 – from 11am daily) discover latest plans for the building on North Brink, share your memories and ideas for the future with us as we mark 60 years since The Rolling Stones played at this iconic local building.

Wisbech Historic Friends Meeting House (Saturday September 9 and Sunday September 10 1pm to 4pm) see inside the historic meeting house on North Brink and secluded grave yard at back of the property and find the story of its link to royalty.

Wisbech Masonic Centre (Friday September 15, Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 11am to 3pm) visitors will be able to view the Masonic meeting rooms and learn about what Freemasonry does, its local heritage and charitable giving – Old Methodist Chapel, The Crescent.

Wisbech St Peter and St Paul’s Church (Saturday September 16 10am to 4pm – afternoon tea 1pm to 4pm) climb the tower to the ringing chamber and the bells (roof is not open), have a go at bellringing. Meet the ringers and see the bells in action. Then enjoy afternoon tea in the church.

Wisbech Town Hall (Saturday September 9 and Sunday 10 10am to 4pm) visitors will be able to see the Town Hall's ‘civic rooms’ and learn from a Town Councillor (acting as Tour Guide) about the history of the town and the Town Hall, as well as receiving information relating to the council's civic insignia.

Tydd Pumping Station Open Day (Saturday September 9 open 10am to 4pm, walks 10.30am and 1pm, pumps noon and 2.30pm) Tydd Road, Tydd Gote, a rare opportunity to visit the North Level District Internal Drainage Board's Pumping Station to learn about the role of the Drainage Board in safeguarding thousands of acres of land from flooding.

The Fen Edge Trail visiting Thorney and Toneham (Sunday September 10) booking required before September 9 call Dorothy Halfhide on 07990587567.

Details of all of these events and all those across the county including in Cambridge, Ely and Peterborough, can be found on the National Heritage Open Days website: www.heritageopendays.org.uk Do come along and support and enjoy these