The trustees of Prickwillow Museum are delighted to be adding to the increasingly popular series of talks at the Museum with this fascinating evening. Robert Smith MBE, Port of Wells Harbour Master, and author of 'Crossing the Bar' and 'Tales of a Harbour Master' joins us for what promises to be a very interesting evening.
Robert was born and raised on the North Norfolk Coast in Wells-Next-the-Sea. Drawn to water from an early age, the creeks and marshes of Wells were both his playground and classroom; and from the age of seven he could be seen racing down to the Quayside each day to mess around in boats!
Robert’s passion for the harbour is unsurprising. His ancestors gained their livelihood from the harbour, sea and North Norfolk from the 1700s, and it seemed inevitable that he would follow in their footsteps, first working with his family as longshoremen before joining a local shipping company, then Wells Harbour Commissioners as Assistant Harbour Master.
In 2000, Robert became Harbour Master. This, as well as his 27 year tenure as crew and second Coxswain on the Wells lifeboat has given him a great appreciation of the power and unpredictability of the sea.
In 2016/17 Robert was recognised in the New Year’s Honours List and awarded an MBE for his services to the Port and Community of Wells. The following year, Robert published his first book, 'Crossing the Bar', described as being ‘a hymn to the most beautiful coastline in the world’. The book has received countrywide acclaim. No small feat for a man challenged by dyslexia!  
A natural storyteller, Robert is a popular public speaker. 'Tales of a Harbour Master' not only take his audience on a journey of discovery of the history and workings of the Port, but also provides a light-hearted and amusing glimpse of his life as Harbour Master.
Robert is often asked what he enjoys most about his work, his reply is always the same, Fresh Air & Freedom.


We are expecting this event to be very popular so please do book early to avoid disappointment. All details in the poster below, on our Events page, by telephone 01353 720737/01353 778442 or by email HERE.

October 6th 10.00 - 18.00, October 7th 10.00 - 17.00
It's almost time for Prickwillow Museum's event of the year, the Prickwillow Ploughing Festival, held in conjunction with TWH Clarke and Sons.
Though the ploughing competition, featuring magnificent heavy horses and vintage tractors, is always a highlight of the event, there's plenty more to see and do for all ages.

If that's not enough, there are also plenty of stalls, hot food, real ale, stationary and traction engines, static vehicles, crafts, bygones and more! And, of course, the Museum's fabulous collection of beautifully-restored diesel engines will be running throughout the day, with our dedicated team of volunteers on-hand to answer your questions. Pick up one of our iPads, get interactive, and find out about our fascinating collection of Fenland farming and household implements.

Adults, £7.50.
Accompanied children under 16, FREE.
Adult two day pass, £12.00.
Ticket price includes entry to the Museum and parking.

Proceeds from the Ploughing Festival are split equally between Prickwillow Engine Trust, an unincorporated association and a registered charity in England (charity number 285139) and Cancer Research UK.

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.