Lost images of Wisbech made available in new book
It's been officially launched this weekend
Unseen historic photos of Wisbech that proved hugely popular when they went on display for the first time last year have been made available in a new book.
'Lost Images of Wisbech', which officially launched at Wisbech Museum in Museum Square this weekend, is now on sale for ÂŁ5 per book - with all proceeds going towards the museum.
The book is packed with a collection of photos which were originally taken by engineers at the former Wisbech Borough Council in around the 1940s and 50s. Only recently discovered in the archives at Fenland District Council, the collection features images of war damage, the town centre, the river and old canal, as well as new roads and housing schemes.
The Council's Wisbech High Street Project first put the images on public display in September last year when it held an online photography exhibition as part of the national Heritage Open Days event.
The project was so overwhelmed by the response to the photos that with the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which funds the project, it decided to make the images, plus several more unseen ones, available in a book.
'Lost Images of Wisbech' is split into four different categories - Around Town, War Damage, New Schemes and Improvements and River, Canal and Port.
Cllr Chris Seaton, Fenland District Council's Portfolio Holder responsible for Heritage, said:
"Many, if not all of these images, had never been seen or published before and offer a wonderful insight into the town and surrounding area during a period of great change when cameras were not as widely used as today. The photos, taken to record significant developments by the town's engineers, can now be enjoyed by a wider audience."
The book will be launched at the Museum on 19 June during the opening of its Schools Summer Showcase exhibition, from 10am to 4pm. Advance booking is required, please see the museum's website for further information: www.wisbechmuseum.org.uk. Only this temporary exhibition will be accessible on the day, as the Museum's main galleries will remain closed to the public throughout the current building work.