Great Fen Animation
Huntingdon Youth Centre and Great Fen Greenwatch
History and Stories
Start here ...
The video animation (right) provides an amusing introduction to the history of the fen.
This 5-minute film was made by young people from Great Fen Greenwatch (the volunteering group for 12-18 yrs), Huntingdon Youth Centre and Great Fen volunteers. Using plasticine models with voiceovers and subtitles, it gives an account of life before and after the drainage of the fens. (View animation large size.)
More details...
The early history of the fens from the drowning of an ancient forest and the formation of the black peat fen, through the recorded history of the wild fens until they began to be drained.
The Fens in the Norman and Medieval times.
History in the 17th to 19th centuries. How the fens were drained and the productive farmland that resulted.
How life in the fens changed with the coming of steam power and the railways
Created as a nature reserve in 1910 - one of the first in the country.
From American bomber pilots, to the famous 'fen blows', here are people’s stories of the fens recorded in text, sound, photos and film.
The famous black wood of the fens that is so much a part of the fen landscape and heritage
Get involved...
Are you interested in knowing more about and researching the history of the area?
If so you can be sure of a warm welcome from the Great Fen Local History Group - details here.
