The life and times of Stretham’s former rector the Rev Stewart Stitt is on the agenda for history sessions

The life and times of a former Stretham rector will be explored in the upcoming opening session of a new series of Fenland History.

Mike Petty will explore something of the life of the Rev Stewart Stitt on Friday January 15 at Ely Methodist Church (entrance via St Mary’s Street car park) from 10.30am to noon.

In 1906 a new rector arrived in Stretham and he stayed as minister for nearly 40 years, seeing his community through the trauma of the Great War and the years of depression in between.

Over the years the Rev Stitt buried many members of his congregation, including his wife. But not his own son: although his tomb is in the village church’s chancel it is empty.

Other topics that will be covered in the coming weeks will include: Little Thetford and Barway, Adelaide and Chettisham, Witchford and Wentworth, Mepal and Wardy Hill, Upware and Swaffham Fen.

The sessions hope to explore Fenland in fiction, the Fenland dialect, the tracked hover train and much more.

Fenland History on Friday is not a club or society, just meetings where people with an interest in the locality come together to share information. All are welcome to one or all, £3 on the door.

For further information please contact Mike Petty on 01353 648106