Take a trip back in time to the prehistoric Fens with new film
Modellers Maurice Stevens, left, and Stuart Green. - Credit: Archant
What was the Ely area like when dinosaurs roamed the Fens?
Geologists Roger Mould, left, and Ken Rolfe at St Peter's Church - Credit: Archant
A glimpse into the past 66 million years will be included in a new film recording the events surrounding the diamond jubilee of a unique boat race – the only meeting between Oxford and Cambridge not to take place on the River Thames.
It was rowed along the Adelaide straight on the River Great Ouse at Padnal Fen, in 1944.
“We staged a renewal in 2004 and became fascinated by the history of the area, especially the way it has developed since the Ice Age,” said Diamond44 secretary Jack Waterfall at a preview of the film, A Strange Day at Queen Adelaide, in Ely.
Among those who went along to St Peter’s Church were cartographer Roger Mould, who is involved with the Warboys Archaeology Project, and Ken Rolfe, chair of the Cambs Geosites team, which has been focusing on the geology and landscape of the Cambridgeshire fen edge.
They agreed to help and will visit Queen Adelaide next month to inspect a geological model of Padnal Fen, created by local artist Stuart Green and modeller Maurice Stevens.
“The object of the visit will be to detail the sequence of events that have unfolded from the Ice Age to make Padnal Fen what it is today,” said Mr Waterfall.
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Film-maker Michael Massey, armed with the model and detailed geological information, will produce an animated map explaining the dramatic changes to the area for inclusion in the film that is due for release in March.
