Free talk will reveal how virtual reality brings history to life as part of Wisbech High Street Project

Virtual reality technology and how it can be used to bring historical sites to life is the subject of the next online heritage talk being held as part of the Wisbech High Street Project.

Commonplace in the video gaming world, Virtual Immersive Environments (VIE) are being increasingly used in fields such as the military, medicine, automobile industry and education.

A growing number of museums and heritage sites are putting virtual reality to good use, too, enabling them to create user-friendly, interactive 3D models of buildings or spaces that brings them to life and transports people back in time like never before.

On Friday December 17, local people can find out more about VIE and the benefits of its use in the heritage sector at a free online talk hosted by heritage experts at Lincoln University.

The talk is the latest in a series of free talks organised as part of Fenland District Council’s Wisbech High Street Project, which is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Townscape Heritage scheme.

The talk, Virtual Immersive Environments (VIE), will explain what VIE is and how it’s created, and explore how to make the most out of it for historical sites and buildings.

Cllr Chris Seaton, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Heritage, said: “The talk will look at how having a ‘digital twin’ of a historic building can help things like public engagement and tours, and sharing the beauty of such spaces online. It can also help from a practical point of view in the management and maintenance of a historic building, helping ensure they can be looked after in future.”

How to join: The talk will be held online via Microsoft Teams on Friday, 17 December, at 12.30pm.

To book your free place, email Fenland District Council’s Creativity & Culture Development Officer, Jaime-Lea Taylor, on jtaylor@fenland.gov.uk. You will then be added to the list of participants and sent joining instructions via email.