Mayors from the area enjoyed a stroll around Wisbech to kick off the town’s third annual arts festival.
Wisbech Mayor Councillor Sam Hoy was joined by the mayors of Market Deeping, Bourne and Boston and Norfolk County Council Chairman Hilary Cox for a walk which took in many of the town’s landmarks.
As part of the Wisbech Arts Festival, visitors to the town will get to enjoy a host of exhibitions, concerts and film viewings.
The packed schedule kicks off today at 2pm with a talk on surrealist photographer Roland Penrose’s at Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House and, at 7pm, a literary walk takes place at the Angles Theatre.
Tomorrow, there is an Octavia and the Queens Daughters exhibition at the council chamber and an evening of Georgian music with David Wright at Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House.
Friday sees a Meet The Authors talk at Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House where children’s authors including Robert Dickson-Oliver, Claire Upton, Daisy Bickell, Paul Eden and Sylvie Short will share their expertise.
On Saturday, there will be free travel on the route 66 Wisbech bus to encourage people to visit the market place for the Tales of Yesterday and Today Young People’s Showcase.
In the evening, an old time music hall will be staged at St Peter’s Church Hall.
Sunday sees a cemetery walk at Wisbech General Cemetery and on Monday Harold Pinters’ film The Go Between will be shown at the Luxe Cinema.
On Tuesday, the Luxe Cinema will be showing Nurse Edith Cavill and a poetry promenade will be staged at the council chamber.
Other events to look forward to are a concert by Loc-Mai Yuen Brooker and Phillip Tolley at Peckover House on Friday, May 23.
On Saturday, May 24 there will be a performance by dance troupe Sarah’s Street Style Dance in the market place.
On Sunday, May 25, there will be lace making demonstrations in Octavia’s Birthplace House and a talk on Spike Milligan in the council chamber before a grand promenade concert involving trumpeter John Barker, Clarkson singers and invited soloists will close the festival at St Peter and St Paul Church.
Full schedule:
Wednesday, May 14
2pm, Ronald Penrose Surrealist Camera Launch Talk, Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House, £5 on the door including catalogue
7pm, Town Walk ‘Wisbech Treasures’ The Monk Manuscript, Angles Theatre, £2 pay at meeting.
Thursday, May 15
2pm, Octavia and the Queen’s Daughters, Council Chamber, £5 on the door.
7pm, Evening of Georgian Music with David Wright, Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House, Entry £5 on the door.
Friday, May 16
4-7pm, Meet the Authors, Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House, £2 on the door.
7.30pm, Cantus Choir Showcase, Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House, £2 on the door.
7.30pm, Wisbech Pictures Old and New Inns and Taverns, Wisbech Institute, £5 tickets only.
Saturday, May 17
10am-noon, Celebration of the Arts Achievements of Young People in Fenland, Thomas Clarkson Academy
1-3pm, Tales of Yesterday and Today Young People’s Showcase, Market Place
7pm, Old Time Music Hall, St Peter’s Church Hall, £5 on the door
Sunday, May 18
2pm, The Art of Gravestones Wisbech General Cemetery Walk, meet at Chapel Road car park, £2 on the day
Monday, May 19
2pm, Harold Pinters’ film The Go Between, Luxe Cinema, £4 on the door.
7.30pm, Permajet Colour management Lectures, Elgood’s Fenland Stadium Lynn Road, £2 on the door
Tuesday, May 20
2pm, Nurse Edith Cavell, Luxe Cinema, £4 on the door
6pm, Poetry Promenade, Council Chamber, free entry
7pm, Dorothy L Sayers and the Fens, Wisbech Library, £4 on the door
7.30pm, French comedy film Welcome to the Sticks, Luxe Cinema, £4 on the door
Wednesday, May 21
10.30am, Big Story Day, St Peter and St Paul Church
Thursday, May 22
10am, Self Publishing Workshop, Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House
Friday, May 23
7.30pm, Piano Music and Songs by Loc-Mai Yuen Brooker and Phillip Tolley, Peckover House, £10 adults, £8 children, ticketa available at Peckover House or at 01945 583463
Saturday, May 24
10.30am-1pm, Alison’s Street Style Dance, Market Place
7pm, Octavia Hill Piano Practice Group Concert, Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House, £2 on the door
8pm, Arts Festival Quiz, Conservative Club oon Alexandra Road, Entry £20 per team (max 6) including buffet. Pay on the door.
Sunday, May 25
1pm, Activities Showcase Open Day Crafts and Lace Making Demonstrations, Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House, free entry
2pm, My Father Spike Milligan, Council Chamber, £3 on the door
2-7pm, Grand Promenade Concert, St Peter’s Church (6pm closing ceremony).
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