NEWS AND VIEWS
Peterborough Heritage Open Days 2009
10th - 13th September 2009
Venues in and around Peterborough are
Peterborough Cathedral Tours on 10th, 11th, 12 Septmber at 11.00, 13.00 and 14.30
A tour of the working areas of the Cathedral and its enironment that are not normally open to the public. Telephone 01733 452336 to book your place and get further information.
Custom House, Embankment open 12th and 13th September 10.00 to 16.00
16th Century building alongside the River Nene, originally used as a tole house for goods transported by river and currently used by the sea cadets
Peterborough Museum, Priestgate - guided tours September 12th 11.00 and 14.30 and 13th September 14.00 What actually goes on at the Museum? find out more on this tour which takes you to areas not normally accessible.
Historic Peterborough guided tour around the City takes place on September 12th commencing 14.00 from Priestgate
contact the Tourist Information Office, Minster Precincts, Peterborough – telephone 01733 452336
Longthorpe Tower - open 13th September 12.00 to 17.00 Displays one of the most complete sets of 14th century domestic wall paintings in Northern Europe.
Cambridgeshire Chattels - 11th September 10.30 to 14.30 An opportunity to view chattels of historic or artistic interest. To apply for pre-booking form please telephone 01733 267740 - places limited to 15 people. No disabled access and not suitable for young children.
Park Road Baptist Church - open 12th September 10.00 to 14.00 The history of the Baptists in Peterborough began in 1653. The current church buuilt in 1907 with major reconstruction in 1988 is of significant local and historic interest.
St Peter and All Souls RC Church - Geneva Street - open 12th September 14.00 to 16.30 and 13th September 14.00 to 16.30 but pre-booking required. Built in 1896 by the architect Edwin Stokes. The Gothic style church was built over the old Abbey fishponds and floated on a concrete raft. The presence of underground water is evident today in the thriving willow tree in the garden.
Monarchy, monks and martyrs tour from Priestgate on 13th September 14.00 An unusual way to look at Peterborough's past through three dirrerent groups of people.
Guided walk through Milton Park - 13th September 14.15 Guided walk through historic parkland lasting around 2 hours - access take Bretton Way off A47 and then first left and follow signs.
St Andrews Parish Church, Church St, Northborough is open 12th September 10.00 to 17.00 12th century parish church with examples of early English perpendicular and decorated styles of architecture. Interesting chantry chapel. Resting place of Elizabeth Cromwell and Martha Clare. Associations with Oliver Cromwell and John Clare. On September 10th and 11th access can be arranged by appointment only by telephoning 01778 346897
Southwick Hall is open September 13th from 14.00 to 17.00 – last admission 4.30pm Located on Main Street, Southwick, Oundle, Northamptonshire, PE8 5BL Southwick Hall comprises architecture of many centuries, notably the 14th, 16th, 18th and 19th. Although altered many times, the house still retains much of its original medieval layout.
Broadway Cemetery - Bones and Stones guided tour - 13th September at 15.00 Located in the heart of Peterborough, the cemetery dates from 1856. It contains burial sites of many noteworthy locals and numerous military graves and memorials, especially from World War One. Meet at central grass area for 15.00 start. Stout footwear recommened.
The Prebendal Manor, Church Street, Nassington, PE8 6QG - 13th September 13.00 to 15.00 but pre-booking required The early 13th century manor, the award winning Tithe Barn museum and recreated medieval gardens will be open with guided tours.
Thorney Village Walk - September 13th tour starts 14.00 - pre-book your place on 01733 270908 evenings only An hour long walk to discover the history of Thorney - the medieval abbey and Victorian 'model village' ending at the community Museum. Dressing up clothes available for children.
Heritage Open Days is a national event – the above is just a small sample - for more details of buildings that are open (and not just buildings) within easy traveling distance of Peterborough either by car or public transport then visit
www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory/
or contact the Tourist Information Centre on telephone 01733 452336 In 1848 the Eastern Counties Railway Company built an engine shed for its locomotives at Peterborough. Remarkably this Victorian building still stands today. It is listed for protection by English Heritage. To celebrate this survival from the past, Peterborough Civic Society commissioned a commemorative plaque which has been fixed to the building with the kind permission of the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), the current owners. The plaque wasy unveiled by Cllr Matthew Lee, Peterborough City Council's Heritage Champion and councillor for Fletton Ward. Peter Waszak, a local historian and a member of the Society, gavee a brief background history of the building. DVD NOW AVAILABLE The Civic Society has secured a grant from the Local Heritage Initiative (part of the Heritage Lottery Fund)
to produce a DVD and teachers resource pack featuring the story of Westwood Airfield (known as RAF Peterborough in the 1930’s and WW2).
Local film company, Blue Slate media, have produced the DVD and the Heritage Education team at Peterborough Museum have produced the teachers’ pack. New Committee Members needed Our Committee are seeking another member of the plans sub committee and are also looking for a member with design skills for project work.more news from the Society
Commemorative Plaque unveiled on 30th March 2009
Victorian Engine Shed, East Station Rd, Peterborough
The Story of RAF Peterborough (Westwood)
The Society was particularly keen to record, through interviews, the stories of people who served at Westwood, as well as recording on film
the few remaining airfield buildings before they are lost. The DVD also sets the airfield in the wider context of the war experience of Peterborough
and European events through the use of archive film from local and national sources.
The DVD has been made available free of charge to local community groups in the Westwood/Ravensthorpe area.
It is available for purchase (price £11.75) from the Society (Tel: 01733 314861) or from Peterborough Museum in Priestgate
or the Tourist Information Centre in Cathedral Square. It can also be borrowed from the Bretton and Central Libraries.Civic Society Committee
We are always on the look out for members who would like to take an active role in the Society so if you can help in these areas or whatever your interests or skills then please get in touch on telephone 01780 782703 or email peter.g.lee@btinternet.com.