History and Previous Celebrate the fens days

How did it start?

The idea for Celebrate the Fens day started in 2019 when Fascinating Fens asked it’s followers on socia media whether a Celebrate the Fens day would be welcomed. We were overwhelmed by the positive responses and suggestions. We then asked for ideas about what day it could be held, possible ideas included: harvest time due to farming in the fens, Plough Monday due to farming and Molly dancing traditions, the anniversary of drainage of the fens, winter time due to swans feeds at Welney and Spring times due to returning wildlife. After considering all of the ideas, it was decided to hold it on the longest day, to give as much time as possible during the day to explore the fens and hopefully more time to witness it’s beautiful landscapes and sunsets.

The first Celebrate the fens day 20th June 2020

Stretham Old Engine: Instructions for building your own model beam engine. Plus photos, comics and articles…
Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey will be sharing a quiz, photos and showing how to make a pomander…
Wisbech museum are doing videos and crafts based on their amazing butterfly collection in collaboration with University of Cambridge…

The Fens Biosphere are asking you what the fens means to you? Join in by writing on their sheet and take a photo holding it…

Kaitlin Ferguson shows how the fens inspires her art work and invites you to join in #ArtAndTheFens …

Fen Speak are capturing the fens through their amazing poetry…
Projects for children and families about fen farming, draining and eels…
Fascinating fens have great activities to get involved in, why not join the Giant community eel project…

…or colour in picture of the fens….

Learn about Hereward the Wake: A Facebook Live event at 7.30pm (please join their page by 6pm)…

Blogs for Celebrate the Fens day…

Elaine the Owl Whistler has written a lovely blog about owls and the fens…
Benjamin Langley tells us why the fens inspire his stories…
Andrew Dunn describes his enjoyment of cycling in the fens…

Virtual tours and actual walks…

Great walks to follow from the Fenedge trails…
Take a virtual tour of Crowland Abbey…
A great video from Farmer Luke and Farmer Clive (Ondaintree farm) about food and farming for kids and families.

Music and Songs for Celebrate the Fens..

Penland Phezants and Phezants Tail are sharing a great collection of their fen songs…
Isle ave a Shanty will be launching their new song “Fishermen of Ely”…
Eeli’s eel song: Eels are really important to Ely, for children to sing along to…

Videos and Podcasts for Celebrate the Fens day…

Lyddie Pinfold’s podcasts “Lens from the Fens” explore nature and photography…
The Fenland Coddiwompler loves exploring the fens and camping, follow some of his adventures…
Hear why Fascinating fens loves the fens…

We would like to thank the following organisations who were originally holding events, which were cancelled due to covid 19: Babylon Gallery Ely (photograph exhibition capturing the fens), Crowland Abbey open day, Stretham Old engine open day, Elgoods Brewery open day tours and Cambridge open studio pop up gallery at Wicken fen.