History brought to life at Ely library

The past came to the present in Ely when a history fayre was held at the city’s library.

The event was a finale to the BBC Civilisations Festival.

Local history fans enjoyed the day which was hailed a fun and involving event for all ages.

There were a host of local and regional organisations showing people how to access and take part in family history and their heritage.

A BBC spokesman said: “The Civilisations Festival ran alongside the series in Spring 2018. We are inviting museums, galleries and libraries to schedule events to spark debate, broaden understanding and share ideas about what is meant by the term civilisation.”

Libraries across Britain, including Ely, held events to help kick start interest in history.

Among those who set up stands were the Cambridgeshire Collection, Cambridgeshire Libraries, Cambridgeshire Community Archive Network, Cambridgeshire Geological Society, Cambridgeshire Association for Local History, Cambridge Antiquarian Society and the Cambridgeshire Records Society.

There was also the Cambridgeshire Family History Society, Oliver Cromwell’s House, Ely Museum, Ely and District Archaeological Society, The Stained Glass Museum, Burwell Museum, Chatteris Museum, The Littleport Society, Stretham Old Engine, Soham Heritage and Tourism, and West Norfolk and King’s Lynn Archaeological Society.