Shining light on Wisbech Society

The Wisbech Society has been in existence since 1939, one of the earliest civic societies. The work of a civic society depends on each individual group’s objectives of course, but most will be looking at understanding the historic environment, celebrating it, and recommending its preservation while taking into regard economic and other constraints.

Mission of the Wisbech Society and Preservation Trust

Wisbech Society and Preservation Trust are working harder than ever to safeguard the history and heritage of Wisbech – Capital of the Fens – and Birthplace to Octavia Hill, William Godwin and Thomas Clarkson.

Wisbech’s influence on modern society

The town has positively contributed to our modern society, as the birthplace of the man who abolished the Slave Trade, the woman who founded the National Trust and the man known for reforming society through political discourse (and was the father of Mary Shelley).

Architectural preservation

The preservation of the town’s stunning architecture is always very high on the Society’s agenda and Fenland District Council consults the Society on planning matters affecting the town’s Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas.

The famous North and South Brink from the Town Bridge

A view of the famous North and South Brink from the Town Bridge, with the town crest. Riverside buildings line the River Nene including Octavia Hill Birthplace House, Sessions House, and Peckover House.

Engaging the Community

We tell the town’s story through our Annual Review, (distributed free of charge to members); by using its heritage spaces for events – such as talks and walks – on subjects of interest to our members and the wider public; and we celebrate local people with blue plaques on significant buildings and talks on their lives and achievements.

Recent events include:

• hosting our President, Professor Francis Pryor launching one of his brilliant books;
• a talk on shipping into the Port of Wisbech and
• an evening of wine tasting from the region of Arles, our twin town.

Become a member

You don’t have to live in Wisbech to become a member – just have an interest in celebrating history and heritage, and learning about Wisbech and the Fens. Trustees come from the membership. Most of us have a special interest and help with the activities and the review.

Do you have an idea for promoting the history of the town and the Fens? Would you like to help the Society promote its work and share our story?

Become a member to support and join in the programme of events and trips, and become a Trustee to help shape them!

Become a trustee

We have found that many think that Trustees have to be a certain age, with many years of experience behind them. That isn’t the case – all ages are very welcome. If you have an interest in history, in social reform, in heritage buildings, in people – all ideas and help will be very welcome.

Perhaps you have a couple of hours a month to spare and feel you could help us with some aspects of the work, that’s great!

Perhaps you have more hours and want to put something on a CV as you change careers – again, that’s great! We’re open to all, please get in touch via our website – or come to an event and join as a member there and then, see what we do behind the scenes and decide later if you want to transition to a Trustee.

Everyone is welcome to our public events, if not a member there may be a small fee payable on the door. So tell your friends, come and see what we do and let us know what you’d like to see the Society do next!