Wisbech
| Wisbech | |
|---|---|
| OS Grid Reference: | TF460098 |
| Lat/Lon: | Template:Coor dm NW |
| Population: | 20,200 (2001 Census) |
| Dwellings: | 9,145 (2001 Census) |
| Formal status: | Town |
| Administration | |
| County: | Cambridgeshire |
| Region: | East Anglia |
| Nation: | England |
| Post Office and Telephone | |
| Post town: | Wisbech |
| Postcode: | PE13, PE14 |
| Dialling Code: | 01945 |
Wisbech (IPA /'wızbıž/) is a town with a population of about 20,000 in the Fenland area of Cambridgeshire. The River Nene runs through the centre of the town. The name means mouth of the (River) Ouse.
Prior to the Local Government Act 1972 coming into force in 1974 Wisbech was a municipal borough. It is now a civil parish in the Fenland district.
History
A Norman castle to fortify Wisbech was built by William I, and in later Tudor times became a notorious prison. The Castle was rebuilt in the mid-17th century and again in 1816 by Joseph Medworth, who also developed the Crescent, familiar as the setting in numerous costume dramas. The major town dwelling is Peckover House with its fine walled garden, built for the banking family in 1722 and now owned by the National Trust.
In the 17th century, the local inhabitants became known as the "Fen Tigers" because of their resistance to the draining of the fens, but the project turned Wisbech into a wealthy port handling agricultural produce. At this time Wisbech was on the estuary of the River Ouse, but silting caused the coastline to move north, and the River Nene was diverted to serve the town.
The eight-kilometre (5-mile) £6 million A47 Wisbech/West Walton Bypass opened in autumn 1984.
Elgood's Brewery is a local brewery whose ales are sent out across England.
Culture
The Angles Theatre is a thriving amateur theatre, run entirely by volunteers.
Sport
The local football team is Wisbech Town Football Club, nicknamed The Fenmen.
Notable buildings
- Peckover House (1722; owned by the National Trust)
- St. Peter and St. Paul's, the parish church.
Famous people associated with Wisbech
- John Feckenham, last Abbot of Westminster, like many other Catholic clergymen, including several bishops, was imprisoned in Wisbech Castle and died there.
- Thomas Clarkson, the anti-slavery campaigner, was from Wisbech and was educated at Wisbech Grammar School. The Clarkson Memorial was built to commemorate his life, and is situated on the south bank of the Nene, near to the old bridge.
- Octavia Hill, co-founder of the National Trust, was born in Wisbech.
- Octavia Hill's sister Miranda Hill, probably also born at Wisbech, founded the influential Kyrle Society, a progenitor of the National Trust.
- Sir Harry Kroto, 1996 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, for the discovery of fullerenes.
- Anton Rodgers, actor, born in Wisbech.
- Rev. W. Audrey the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine
In film and TV
Wisbech is noted for its unspoilt Georgian architecture, particularly along North Brink and The Crescent. It has been used in the BBC's adaptation of Charles Dickens' David Copperfield and ITV's Micawber, starring David Jason.