The Wisbech Society

and Preservation Trust Limited

Events Calendar: programme of events and outings. Talks will be held at Wisbech General Cemetery Chapel, North End, Wisbech PE13 1PE, other events as indicated. Non-members are most welcome to attend talks for a donation of £3.00 each, and other events at indicated cost.

Our next event

Death in the Time of Cholera

Dr Eric Somerville will describe a brief but lethal outbreak of cholera in London in 1854. At that time, the prevailing view was that smells emanating from rotting organic matter and excrement were responsible for infectious diseases. However, a local medical practitioner, Dr John Snow, was convinced that whatever caused cholera was transmitted in water. Despite being ridiculed by the medical profession and sanitary engineers, he meticulously studied the records of previous cholera outbreaks in search of evidence in support of his contention. This outbreak was to provide that evidence – but not before hundreds died in a Victorian ghetto. Also involved in this investigation was the Reverend Henry Whitehead, a curate with a head for figures and statistics. Although initially a sceptic, he was to play a vital role in the investigation, confirming Snow’s waterborne theory.

The doors open at 7 pm. Talk to be held at Wisbech General Cemetery Chapel, North End, Wisbech PE13 1PE

Non-members are most welcome to attend for a donation of £3 per person. Members and children free.

All upcoming events

Friend of Wisbech General Cemetery - Spring Walk

Sunday 14 April 2024

Friend of Wisbech General Cemetery - Spring Walk

The Friends of Wisbech General Cemetery are hosting a Spring walk focusing on the wildlife, monuments and chapel in this beautiful Victorian cemetery.

Meet outside the chapel for 2pm – there is a charge of £3 for adults, and children and members free.

Contact Sue Beel on 01945 584319 for more details.

Cornish ancestors, Wisbech, and the printing business

Thursday 09 May 2024

Cornish ancestors, Wisbech, and the printing business

David Burall tells of his Cornish ancestors and his famous family printing business in Wisbech.

You are welcome to attend this afternoon talk to be held at Wisbech General Cemetery Chapel, North End, Wisbech PE13 1PE

Non-members are welcome for a donation of £3 per person. Members and children free.

Wisbech Society outing

Wednesday 22 May 2024

Wisbech Society outing

Coach Outing to Stamford with an included guided tour on Wednesday 22nd May.
The coach will leave Somers Road carpark promptly at 10am, arriving at Stamford bus station at approximately 11am. This is very close to the town centre, shops, cafés and restaurants.
There will then be ample free time to explore and get lunch (not included). If the weather allows you can picnic on the Town Meadows by the bus station.
We will need to reassemble back at the bus station by 2pm for a guided walk, led by a registered Blue Badge guide. This will last approximately 90 minutes. Stamford has many 17th and 18th C honey-coloured stone buildings, along with earlier timber-framed properties and there are five medieval churches! Even if you have been to the town before, you are sure to find some architectural gem you overlooked!
The coach will leave the bus station at 4.30pm arriving back at Somers Road carpark at approximately 5.30pm.
Cost £25 per person for members and £29 for non-members. Booking essential. Closing date for booking 15 May 2024

Booking available via Eventbrite

A Victorian shipping entrepreneur

Monday 03 June 2024

A Victorian shipping entrepreneur

Bill Lindsay will tell the rags to riches story of William Schaw Lindsay, a ship owner and business associate of Wisbech shipping merchant Richard Young.

You are welcome to attend this evening talk to be held at Wisbech General Cemetery Chapel, North End, Wisbech PE13 1PE

Non-members are welcome for a donation of £3 per person. Members and children free.

Robert Lowe image courtesy of :  Brodie collection the State Library of Victoria

Friends of Wisbech General Cemetery - Summer Evening Walk

Wednesday 05 June 2024

Friends of Wisbech General Cemetery - Summer Evening Walk

The Friends of Wisbech General Cemetery are hosting a Spring walk focusing on the wildlife, monuments and chapel in this beautiful Victorian cemetery.

Meet outside the chapel for 6pm – there is a charge of £3 for adults, and children and members free.

Contact Sue Beel on 01945 584319 for more details.

Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Twinning of Wisbech and Arles

Saturday 15 June 2024

Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Twinning of Wisbech and Arles

On Saturday 15 June at 6.30pm Alison Crouch will guide us through a wine tasting and nibbles as we travel through France to Arles in the very English Victorian setting of Wisbech General Cemetery.

Booking essential £12 per person

Octavia Hill and her family

Monday 01 July 2024

Octavia Hill and her family

At her home - Octavia Hill Birthplace House - David Crouch will give an illustrated talk about Octavia Hill and her Wisbech roots.

£6 per person includes admission to the Octavia Hill Birthplace House so you can look around at your leisure. 7-8 South Brink PE13 1JB

Talk commences 2pm.

Booking essential

Summer Garden Party

Wednesday 07 August 2024

Summer Garden Party

Wisbech Castle is the location for this year’s garden party with musical entertainment from the Rusty Relics.

£23 per person (£26 non members)

Booking essential

Wisbech Pub Crawl!

Saturday 24 August 2024

Wisbech Pub Crawl!

Andy Ketley conducts a tour to pubs past and present along the North Brink. Walk (crawl) commences at 5.30pm outside the Wisbech Corn Exchange.

Members free - non members welcome to attend for a donation of £3 per person.

Coach outing - Cambridge Modern Arts

Wednesday 04 September 2024

Coach outing - Cambridge Modern Arts

Depart from Somers Road at 8.30am for a day in Cambridge (without parking problems!).

We will compare the old architecture of the Cambridge Colleges with examples of newly completed major buildings such as the new mosque. Depart Cambridge 4pm.

£25 per person (non members £29)

Booking essential.

Friends of Wisbech General Cemetery - Heritage Walk

Sunday 08 September 2024

Friends of Wisbech General Cemetery - Heritage Walk

The Friends of Wisbech General Cemetery are hosting a heritage walk focusing on the wildlife, monuments and chapel in this beautiful Victorian cemetery.

Meet outside the chapel - guided walks at 11am and 2pm – there is a charge of £3 for adults, and children and members free.

Contact Sue Beel on 01945 584319 for more details.

AGM and Francis Pryor

Monday 07 October 2024

AGM and Francis Pryor

Our AGM will be followed by an address from our President Professor Francis Pryor MBE

You are welcome to attend this evening talk to be held at Wisbech General Cemetery Chapel, North End, Wisbech PE13 1PE

Non-members are welcome for a donation of £3 per person. Members and children free.

Wilfred Hanchant: the Wisbech years

Monday 04 November 2024

Wilfred Hanchant: the Wisbech years

Professor Keith Rix will complete his life of Wilfred Hanchant. This final episode of the former Wisbech Museum curator reveals The Wisbech Years: what did this difficult man do for Wisbech, and what did he think of Wisbechians? - perhaps better not to know!

You are welcome to attend this evening talk to be held at Wisbech General Cemetery Chapel, North End, Wisbech PE13 1PE

Non-members are welcome for a donation of £3 per person. Members and children free.

Quiz Night 2024

Monday 02 December 2024

Quiz Night 2024

Eric Somerville will host his news quiz of the year accompanied by a drink and mince pies. A light-hearted social event.

All welcome to attend this evening event to be held at Wisbech General Cemetery Chapel, North End, Wisbech PE13 1PE

Non-members are welcome for a donation of £3 per person. Members and children free.

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