NEWS AND VIEWS

more news from the Society

Peterborough and its Villages in Detail

Peterborough and its villages in detail is a newly published hardback book produced by the Society covering the fascinating and architectural detail of distinctive local buildings and includes superb photographs. The price is £18.00 and can be ordered from the Society - see our items for sale. For more information on the book please click on this link - click the back button on your browser to return to this page

Heritage Open Days

Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. Every year on four days in September, buildings of every age, style and function throw open their doors. For those who want to travel further afield you can visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk - which means you can enjoy the very best of castles to factories, town halls to tithe barns and parish churches to Buddhist temples.

It is a once-a-year chance to discover hidden architectural treasures and make the most of a wide range of tours, events and activities that bring to life local history and culture.

There is lots to see so and do in the Peterborough area and some need booking so for more information please click here Heritage Open Days - click the back button on your browser to return to this page

Henry Penn Walk plaque unveiling 10 May 2012 at 12.30pm

There will be a gathering on Thursday 10 May 2012 at 12.30pm for the unveiling of a plaque to Henry Penn the 18th Century Peterborough bell-founder. It is sited at the Town Bridge end of Henry Penn Walk on the Cty Centre side of the river. The plaque is the product of the joint efforts by the Peterborough Civic Society and Michael Lee, historian of Henry Penn and tower captain of Fotheringhay Church bell-ringers. There will be a couple of pieces performed by the Castor Hand Belles and a summary of the life of Henry Penn.

Commemorative Plaque unveiled on 30th March 2009
Victorian Engine Shed, East Station Rd, Peterborough

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, gave a brief background history of the building.

The Story of RAF Peterborough (Westwood)

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.

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 via our items for sale page 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

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.
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.