More free heritage workshops taking place in Wisbech this summer

Booking has now opened for three more FREE heritage workshops organised through Fenland District Council’s Wisbech High Street Project.

Last month, workshops on medieval tile making and repairing Georgian and Victorian brickwork – the first workshops to be held in person since the project’s series of heritage training sessions launched in May 2021 – were a huge success.

Now, three more workshops are being held in Wisbech on Saturday and Sunday, 20^th and 21^st August, exploring different decorative techniques. Places on the workshops are limited, so early booking is recommended:

Stencilling Course with Duncan and Sophie Parker

Date: Saturday, 20^th August
Location: St Peter’s Church Hall, Wisbech

Times:

• Adult workshop: 9.30am to 1pm
• Children’s workshop: 2pm to 4.45pm (suitable for all ages, all children must be supervised)

On this course, participants will learn the tricks and techniques of stencilling, starting with an introduction to the varying tools and materials that can be used to give a variety of stencilling finishes. Participants will find out how to make a stencil, set out a pattern and execute a repeat design, and will be able to take their finished work home with them.

Graining and Marbling Course with Duncan and Sophie Parker

Date: Sunday, 21^st August
Location: Community Hub Studio 1-3 Alexandra Road, PE13 1HQ
Time: 9.30am to 4.45pm (1 hour break for lunch 1pm-2pm, food not provided)

On this one day, two-part course, participants will learn the traditional approach to graining and marbling decorative paint finishes, with an introduction to the tools, materials and techniques used to create both classic wood grain and stone marble effects. Participants will be able to take their finished pieces of work home with them.

On all workshops, participants are advised to wear clothing they don’t mind getting messy, such as painting clothes.

The heritage workshop sessions have been organised by the Wisbech High Street Project in partnership with Lincoln Conservation to provide local people with free traditional construction and heritage skills training opportunities.

The project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Townscape Heritage scheme and made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

Cllr Chris Seaton, Fenland District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Heritage and Social Mobility, said: “After 14 months of holding these heritage sessions online during the pandemic, it was great to see the first in person workshops go ahead last month. I’m delighted the project has been able to bring even more free sessions forward so quickly but would advise anyone interested in joining them to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”

Book your free place

Places on the workshops are completely free thanks to The National Lottery funding and open to anyone, although people living in and around Wisbech will be given priority if spaces are oversubscribed.

To book your place on any of the workshops, email Fenland District Council’s Creativity & Culture Development Officer, Jaime-Lea Taylor, on jtaylor@fenland.gov.uk.

• Live recordings of previous online heritage sessions can be watched on the Wisbech High Street Project’s YouTube channel.