£1 million visitor centre opens at Flag Fen

Submitted by Andy B on Thursday, 25 October 2001 Page Views: 704

The visitor centre at Flag Fen, the 3000 year old Bronze Age site on the outskirts of Peterborough, was officially opened by the Duke of Gloucester on October 25th 2001.

Built on the theme of a prehistoric Bronze Age roundhouse, the Flag Fen Millennium Centre enhances one of Europe's most important archaeological sites. The development includes a new convenient and direct road which improves upon the former entrance through an industrial area.

Mr Toby Fox, General Manager at Flag Fen, said:- "We are delighted to have this superb new Millennium Centre. Without the support of the Peterborough Environment City Trust, the Millennium Commission and a number of local benefactors, this could not have been built. It is most fortunate for us that HRH the Duke of Gloucester has agreed to open our new building. He is our Royal Patron, and takes a keen interest in what we do.

We are also making use of this opportunity to celebrate the release of Francis Pryor's new report on the Bronze Age archaeology of Flag Fen which is being published by English Heritage. It is 30 years since Francis first came to Peterborough and later discovered the amazing Bronze Age timbers which are part of our city's earliest prehistoric origins, and which make Flag Fen such a unique attraction. Quite simply, without Francis, there would be no Flag Fen heritage site as we know it in Peterborough, and we are delighted to be acknowledging this today."

Mr Grainger Davies, Chairman of the Peterborough Environment City Trust, added:- "The excavations at Flag Fen show how the first Peterborians were affected by climate change and rising sea levels. This is very relevant to the issues which face us today. Peterborough Environment City Trust is delighted to have been able to help Fenland Archaeological Trust to pass on the lessons of the past to future generations."
For more information please contact:- Toby Fox, General Manager at Flag Fen - 01733 313414

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