TV personality Dr Francis Pryor from the Time Team show was at Wisbech Museum to officially unveil the newly restored Wisbech Hundred Map.

Cambs Times: Wisbech and Fenland MuseumWisbech and Fenland Museum (Image: Archant)

The unveiling was made at a reception held at the museum and hosted by Richard Barnwell, chariman of the museum’s directors.

Dr Pryor told the gathering of around 60 people: “This map is an extremely important survivor of its period and Wisbech people should be proud that the museum has been able to conserve the map to such a high standard.”

Mr Barnwell also spoke about the Marshall Strapps chair - Marshall Strapps was the Leverington Road toll gate keeper 140 years ago and was a self taught wood carver of enormous talent and whose works are now dotted around the Worl.

The chair was purchased at an auction in Newmarket, with a grant from the Arts Fund and donations from the Friends of the Museum, the Wisbech Society and Mr Barnwell in total a sum of £2,210.

The chair which is heavily carved with rural moralistic scenes, is now also on display at the museum.

Mr Barnwell said: “Despite the difficulties the museum is experiencing at the present time, the staff and directors are determined the museum would continue to provide an important hub for the collection and protection of our towns rich history, of which we should all be proud. We would be pleased to invite people to come and look at the chair and tell us what they think - Marshall Strapps’ message to us is, through the elaborate carvings.”