A PLEA to put Whittlesey on the tourist map has begun with two councillors who hope to bring an historic bronze age log boat to the town to be exhibited for free.

Cambs Times: Major archaeology find of several oak tree carved boats dating back 1300BC at Must Farm, Hanson brickyard, Whittlesey.Major archaeology find of several oak tree carved boats dating back 1300BC at Must Farm, Hanson brickyard, Whittlesey. (Image: Archant)

The plea is part of a wider campaign to make sure Whittlesey does not lose out to Peterborough when it comes to promoting events like the Straw Bear Festival and the Whittlesey Summer Festival.

Eight log boats, unearthed at Hanson Brickworks at Kings Dyke two years ago, were taken to Flag Fen, Peterborough, where visitors have to pay to get in.

Two councillors say it is wrong that you can travel to London and get in attractions like the Science Museum and Natural History Museum for free and yet local history has been placed in a venue where people have to pay to see it.

They hope to bring at least one of the log boats into the town where it can be displayed in either the museum or library.

Councillor Gary Swan said: “When it suits, Peterborough City Council jump on the band wagon and make Whittlesey’s history and attractions their own.

“We need to take back control and bring back the tourist attractions as Fen attractions not Peterborough.

“It seems wrong that local people have to pay to get into Flag Fen to see history that was discovered in Whittlesey.”

The log boats were hailed as one of the most important historic finds in the Fens when they were unearthed by archeologists at Hansons Brickworks.

Mr Swan is joined in the log boat campaign by county councillor Martin Curtis.