Hundreds visit historic buildings at Wisbech over Easter

Published: 11:12, 10 April 2023

| Updated: 12:16, 10 April 2023

Organisers of open days at two of Wisbech's most historic and iconic buildings over Easter weekend admitted they were "amazed" by the response.

Visitor numbers ran into the hundreds at the town council chambers on North Brink and at The Castle in Museum Square.

Town mayor Susan Wallwork said: "I expected about a dozen at the council chamber and we got 75. And next day we had 800 people at The Castle in just three hours.

"It was amazing and absolutely lovely that so many people were interested in these buildings."

She explained that both were due to be open to the public on Heritage Day last September but the events were cancelled because of the death of Queen Elizabeth.

She said: "We felt we should still open them at some point and Easter seemed the right time but we never expected such a response. There were local people, children and people from out of town."

Wisbech Council Chamber open for visitors to have a look around: John Seaman and Susan Wallwork.

At the council chamber - which dates back to 1811 and has been used for council business since 1836 - visitors were able to see the mayoral chains and regalia and Cllr Nick Meekens was there to answer questions, along with the mayor and her husband and consort David Wallwork.

At the Grade 11 listed Castle, there were guided tours, more questions answered, refreshments and the gardens and vaults were open.

Tours at the Castle were led by Steve Tierney, chair of the town centre committee which oversees the Castle, Sam Hoy, the Mayor, Sid Imafidon.

Also there were the head gardener, Amanda Scott, greeters Hannah Lee and Trevor Ketteringham, and running the cafe were Brenda and Tony Barber.