Peterborough Heritage
Peterborough is both a historic medieval city and a dynamic city growing for the
future. It currently has a diverse population of over 170,000 people but is looking
to grow to well over 200,000 people by 2021. Peterborough’s past is both rich and
diverse. At a time of looking forward with major regeneration and economic growth,
it is important to recognise that a place’s heritage can both underpin and take
a lead role in the economic development of the city. Heritage can re-inforce Peterborough
City’s identity and regenerate buildings, businesses and local communities.
To enhance the role heritage plays in the regeneration and growth of Peterborough
a Heritage Officer has been appointed by Opportunity Peterborough, Peterborough
City Council and English Heritage with support from the Department for Communities
and Local Government. This will ensure that profile of Peterborough’s heritage is
raised (both urban and rural) and that it will enhance not only the historic buildings
and places but also people’s lives.
Free Events
All the lecture dates listed below are available for
you to attend free of charge at
St John’s Church, Peterborough City Centre, between 1pm -1.45pm
20th January
Stuart Orme, Peterborough Museum
Medieval Peterborough
Peterborough was developed as a new town development… but not the one everyone thinks
of, as the first ‘new town’ of Peterborough was laid out in the 12th century! Discover
the story of the medieval town; find out what life would have been like for the
monks and citizens of Peterborough through plague, fire, flood, riot, war and even
some peaceful bits in between! Be amazed to discover how even today Peterborough
is still essentially a medieval town…
27th January
Richard Astle, Langdyke Trust, John Clare and the strange
case of lost and found wildlife
A talk with pictures and poems about the changing faces of Peterborough’s natural
heritage
3rd February
Peter Lee, Civic Society, Standing up for the best in
Peterborough : 50 years of Peterborough Civic Society.
Peterborough Civic Society works to improve the quality of life and to foster pride
of place in Peterborough. We seek to safeguard Peterborough’s heritage and encourage
good design, balanced growth and sustainable development for the future.
10th February
Nick Hammond, Great Fen Project Great Fen: Conservation
on a Landscape Scale
The Great Fen is the largest landscape-scale conservation project in lowland England.
Nick Hammond, until recently CEO of the local Wildlife Trust, has been involved
with this project since it started in earnest in 2001 and gives an intimate insight
into this exciting scheme that will transform a large area of land close to the
city of Peterborough.
17th February
Brian Gasgoyne, Greater Peterborough Partnership, A
home in the meadow
Peterborough has been a place of opportunities and changes since at least 3500 BC,
Brian Gasgoyne will weave together this history with more recent changes to the
city in an enlivening lecture.
24th February
John Newling, Artist, Peterborough Soil
Professor John Newling, Artist in Residence to Peterborough’s Streets, Squares and
Spaces regeneration project, will speak about his art project Peterborough Soil,
an art project which presents an opportunity for the people of Peterborough to contribute
to a major new artwork.
3rd March
Steve Bowyer, Opportunity Peterborough
Heritage - An economic driver
Peterborough’s past is rich and diverse. At a time of looking forward with major
wholesale regeneration and growth, it is important to recognise that a place’s heritage
can both underpin and take a lead role in the economic development of the city.
Heritage can reinforce our city identity and regenerate buildings, businesses and
communities. Steve will use examples from around the country, and closer to home,
to illustrate the opportunities that our heritage has to offer.
10th March
James McCulloch, Chief Executive Nene Park Trust -The
history and future of Nene Park Trust
Nene Park Trust is an independent self financing Charitable Trust that manages over
2,500 acres of land to the west of Peterborough, including the 500 acre Ferry Meadows
Country Park. Having recently celebrated its first 21 years, the Trust will shortly
be launching a new Strategic Plan setting out its vision and aims for Nene Park
over the next 10 years. The Trust’s Chief Executive, James McCulloch, will describe
the work of the Trust and its ambitions for the future.
For further information please contact:
Alice Kershaw
Heritage Regeneration Officer
Opportunity Peterborough and
Peterborough City Council
Alice.kershaw@peterborough.gov.uk
Telephone 01733 317480
