Student video asks 'Is Wisbech really that bad' - she was shocked by some of her findings

A video made by a media student which asks "Is Wisbech really that bad" has had nearly 1,500 views after it was published on social media by a local councillor.

College of West Anglia student Faye Ferguson, 19, from Gorefield made the four minute video as part of her course work for her Level 3 media studies and it featured town councillor Andy Maul, who shared it.

Although she concluded the town "was not that bad" she was shocked that not one person, who completed a survey run as part of the project, said they felt safe in their own town.

"It has been a really interesting project. I went to school in Wisbech and I have a lot of friends in the town and I know there has always been a lot of negativity about Wisbech and so when we were asked to make a short video as part of the course, I thought I would do something that is based on where I live and to see what people really think," said Faye.

"I'm really happy with the result, I think it is my best project so far," she added.

The student, who has ambitions of working on film productions or on advertising campaigns, has been amazed at the response the video has had.

She said: "I can't believe how interested people have been in the documentary after Andy shared it. "

The film also includes an interview with her friend Chloe Ogden, who talks about the town's lack of facilities and things for younger people to do.

Introducing the film Faye said: "Wisbech the capital of the Fens - Over the years this historic town has been negatively represented in the media and many of the residents seem to share these opinions.

"While doing my own research I found that the majority of the questioned people's opinions were indeed negative. According to my results nobody feels safe in their own town and they feel the town has not progressed over the years."

One word descriptions of Wisbech given to Faye included: bad, boring, shabby and remote.

In her interview Chloe said: "Obviously Wisbech has a certain reputation, there's not too much for young people to do around here, the only thing that pops into my head, is the cinema.

"If you look in the town centre there's barely any shops and you have to go to either Lynn or Peterborough for decent shops."

And she goes on to say that people like her dad and grandad often say things like "this town is not like it used to be".

Councillor Maul acknowledges people born and bred in Wisbech "don't seem to like the town" but said his own opinion is different.

"I think Wisbech is a fantastic town. I believe it's got lot of potential and a lot to offer.

"People in other towns seem to think their towns are worse and the reason is - when your in the town in which you live you see the faults, when you go somewhere new you see the positive sides - it's always that feeling that the grass is always greener, but every town has it's own issues.

"Every town in this country has various levels of anti social behaviour. One of the biggest issues we have in this area is we have a police force that is not sufficiently manned - it doesn't have enough resources."

Coun Maul also said those who moan about there not being anything to do should make things happen.

"If people think the town is lacking something, bring it forward and try to do it yourself - get on board and make it happen."

Faye sums up her findings: "I believe Wisbech is not that bad. I do think the town could do with more introductions such as the railway, more police presence and more businesses in the town centre. However Wisbech is a small town in the countryside with little resources and relies on every individual in order for the town to flourish."

You can find Faye's video on Youtube.