News

Lifeline Grant for Birthplace House

Lifeline Grant for Birthplace House

Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House in Wisbech has received a financial boost from the government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help fund ongoing building maintenance and repairs during the coronavirus pandemic. Lifeline grants from the Culture Recovery Fund are designed to protect heritage sites and 

Accolade for social housing hero

Accolade for social housing hero

A government white paper setting out a new deal for social housing tenants in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy pays tribute to the work of Wisbech-born Octavia Hill. The document, announcing proposed new laws before they are formulated in a government bill, recognizes 

Artists’ gift for animal care

Artists’ gift for animal care

A fund-raising effort in memory of a long-standing member of a Wisbech art class has raised more than £100 for animal welfare. The Octavia Hill art group raised the money in remembrance of Mrs Barbara Bullen, who had staged several exhibitions in the area.    She 

Peering into town’s lost past

Peering into town’s lost past

A snapshot of the good, the bad and the ugly history of Wisbech is being offered in a new exhibition of Lilian Ream photographs being displayed in the shop windows of three town centre businesses. The Lilian Ream Museum of the Streets Exhibition will use 

New light on lost chapter

New light on lost chapter

A stained glass window commemorating a key figure in Octavia Hill’s campaign to build a better society is set for its first public viewing at the Wisbech house where she was born on Sunday (March 8). The specially commissioned work by the glass artist, Hazel 

Sound of music at museum

Sound of music at museum

A mixed voice choir that rehearses in a grand room on Wisbech’s South Brink is helping to marry together the names of the town’s most famous son and daughter. The 40-strong performing group, the Clarkson Singers, which takes its name from the Wisbech-born anti-slavery campaigner, 

Celebrating volunteer spirit

Celebrating volunteer spirit

A grand commemoration weekend marking the birth of Wisbech’s most famous daughter is set to focus on the value of volunteering. A string of events saluting the life of Wisbech-born Octavia Hill, the celebrated social reformer and co-founder of the National Trust, has been planned 

Recalling queen of florists

Recalling queen of florists

A leading florist whose skills graced the grandest of royal occasions is set to be remembered at Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House in Wisbech. Constance Spry, the leading flower arranger of her generation, who created displays for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor 

Vinyl, books and all that jazz

Vinyl, books and all that jazz

Bargain hunters are set to head to Centenary Green in Wisbech for a monthly collectors’ market which is being launched on Saturday (August 31). Vinyl albums, books and toys will go on sale at the market on the green adjoining Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House at 

Call goes out to the Hills

Call goes out to the Hills

Everyone who shares the surname of Wisbech’s most famous daughter has been invited to a celebration at the house where she was born. The family of Octavia Hill, the social reformer and co-founder of the National Trust, is being remembered at Hill Day, which is