News

On display from July 1st to 15th is an exhibition of photos and mementos documenting the history of the Rose Fair since it first began in 1963 when a local rose grower donated rose buds to Wisbech St. Peter’s Church to raise funds for the restoration of the church roof. It was intended to be a one-off, but over time the Rose Fair grew and other churches and organisations joined in to create a festival enjoyed by thousands..

On what would have been Parade Saturday (July 1st) children have been invited into the Museum's new courtyard garden for a free drop-in crafting day to make floral crowns fit for a Rose Queen.

 

That's not all – don't miss Flowers in Cookery, a free drop-in information stand in the courtyard garden on Saturday July 15 from 1pm to 3pm with tastings and a cookery demonstration at 2pm. There's also a gel plate printing workshop using flowers on July 6, too. Details on our What's On page.

 

Hopefully our most lasting floral celebration of Midsummer in Wisbech for now and many years to come is the Museum's new courtyard garden, now in full bloom, which fragrantly greets visitors at the new entrance.

A specialist team of Museum volunteers worked weekly from the end of February this year to create the garden in the Museum's disused backyard that was dominated by a massive sycamore tree.

 

 

Before they started, capital grant funding had to be found, the sycamore disposed of, a local architect's generous offer to design a courtyard garden accepted, the wall facing St Peter's Church tower breached and the courtyard levelled and paved.

 

 

 

Volunteers are essential to the Museum and it could not maintain regular opening hours or deliver its lively programme of events and activities without them. The  Museum currently has over 30 active volunteers, who last year contributed 2,122 hours of their time.

 

 

Left  - Some of the garden volunteers at work

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learning and Community Participation Officer Louise Haselgrove said: “The Museum is extremely grateful to its dedicated team of volunteers, who bring with them a tremendous wealth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm and make a huge contribution to our community.”