News

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 

Doorway to weekend learning

Doorway to weekend learning

A brave new educational venture is set to be launched at the first home of Wisbech’s most celebrated daughter. Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House, a museum dedicated to the memory of the social reformer and co-founder of the National Trust at 7 South Brink, Wisbech, is 

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 

Capturing spirit of Clarkson

Capturing spirit of Clarkson

A community choir that takes its name from Wisbech’s most famous son, the anti-slavery campaigner, Thomas Clarkson, is set to feature in a film about the experiences of migrants in Fenland. The Clarkson Singers, who attend a weekly rehearsal in the Long Room at the 

Towering polymath pays a call

Towering polymath pays a call

A giant of the Victorian art world has paid a visit to the first home of his protégée, Wisbech-born Octavia Hill, the celebrated social reformer and co-founder of the National Trust. The actor and art historian, Paul O’Keeffe, stepped into the shoes of the mutton-chopped 

Championing arts and rights for all

Championing arts and rights for all

A pioneering ballerina who fought for human rights in the European court has taken her place in a growing memorial to heroes at Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House in Wisbech. Elaine McDonald OBE, who shared her passion for the arts and human justice with the town’s