We're delighted to welcome renowned Cambridgeshire historian Mike Petty to Prickwillow Museum for a series of illustrated talks. Entitled 'Webbed Feet to Green Wellies', we take a journey through Fenland history with Mike, from 1066 to the present day. And, as ever with Mike's extremely popular talks, there will be an opportunity to chat to him afterwards, and share your own Fenland memories.

April 20th, 1066-1610: Hereward and other fighters​

May 18th, 1610 – 1799: Drainage and the Civil War

June 22nd, Fens in the 1800’s: Riots, hardship ... and opium!
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Doors open 19.00 for 19.30 start.
£3 per person (per talk). 
Refreshments available.
Free parking.

​You can come along to individual talks, or the to whole series, but reserving your seat is advised as we expect these talks to be very well-attended: email us, or phone 01353 720737.

Mike is returning for another series of talks in the Autumn: keep an eye on the website for details!

Great news for engineering and history enthusiasts who rely on public transport: you can now travel to Prickwillow Museum on Mondays and Tuesdays using a newly launched service, East Cambs Connect.
East Cambs Connect is a new bookable, flexible, door to door mini bus service for EVERYONE living, working and visiting East Cambridgeshire who can’t access scheduled bus services to where they want to go. It started on Monday 3 April 2017. The service is managed by Cambridgeshire County Council who has contracted ESACT to run the service Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm (please check museum opening times before booking HERE).
The telephone booking line is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm, and you need to book at least a day in advance.
Telephone 01353 612699 or email total.transport@cambridgeshire.gov.uk for more information and to book.
Please share this information with anyone you know who would benefit.

Well done to all who competed at this year's biggest Ploughing Festival yet, and huge congratulations to all the winners.
David Curtis won the Nigel Clarke Trophy for the ‘Overall Winner’ in the Ploughing Competition; while Neil Anstee won the trophy for the ‘Best Vintage Turnout’. A new trophy this year for the ‘Best Static Tractor’ was won by Edwin Palmer and the Keith Stacey Award for the ‘Best Stationary Engine’ was won by Philip and Kevin Thomas.
​Prizes were presented by Nancy Clarke (daughter of the late Nigel Clarke of TWH Clarke & Son) seen with our winners below.
​Winners of the Ploughing Classes were:
Best Vintage Mounted – Josh Chambers
Best Vintage Trailed – Neal Anstee
Best Modified – David Curtis
Best Horticultural – Paul Maynard
Best Heavy Horses – Peter Hayler

This year’s Prickwillow Ploughing Festival was a great success, in spite of the weather forecast keeping numbers down on the Saturday. The proceeds were all donated to charity – split between Cancer Research UK and Prickwillow Museum.
There was great support from the exhibitors with increased numbers of tractors - ploughing and static, commercial vehicles, stationary engines, classic cars and motor bikes. The steam was a great attraction, especially the full size combination of engine and thrashing drum. Prickwillow Museum was a constant buzz of activity, with demonstration runs of the engines and even the opportunity to don Victorian hats and accessories and have your photo taken by visiting ‘Victorians’!
The live music and children’s entertainer maintained a lively and friendly atmosphere around the bar and food area at the festival, while craft and trade stalls, children’s rides and games, bygones and demonstrations provided added interest for all.
Plans are already afoot to make next year’s event on 7th and 8th October even better!!

If you have any photographs of the day you'd be willing to share here on our blog, we'd love to see them! Contact us here.