I may not have been born in the olden times and would live to tell our town’s history. But I did live here in our town, Wisbech for all of my years. And I am so glad that I have lived in this town and not any other. Anyways, since I have lived in this town for many years, I have ultimately gained many knowledge about our history and our town’s humble beginning.

When I was a child, my grandparents would always tell me about our town’s history. After all, I love listening to stories about history. They told me that our town Wisbech started out as a village. Our town name? It may mean the bank, from the word ‘Bec’ and also the marshy meadow, from the word ‘Wisc’. By 1086, the time of the Domesday book, the little village of Wisbech became a large village. Its population was probably 350. If you lived in those times, typically the village will only have 100 to 120 inhabitants. 350 already is a large standard for a village thus making Wisbech a large village. In those times of Wisbech as a village, most of the men there are fishermen and some are farmers.

The population of Wisbech continues to grow slowly during the 16^th century that it reached 1,500 to 1,600. When the fence was drained, Wisbech began to grow rapidly from the mid 17^th century. Its newly claimed farmland was very fertile. Agricultural products such as grain, butter and rape-seed oil were exported from Wisbech to London.

Then 1549 came, this is where Wisbech was incorporated. It now has corporation and a mayor. Howver, not all instances that Wisbech is always encountering improvement. By 1587, Wisbech suffered from severe outbreaks of plague. It also experienced civil war. But with all those challenges, Wisbech would still continue to improve.

By the 19^th century, many building and architecture are being built. Its port also continued to prosper in these times. In 1840s, many streets were being built. Included in those street was Ruby Street, Henry Street and Whitby Street which were named after Henry Whitby who owned the land in the area. Aside from the severe outbreaks of plague that Wisbech experienced in the past, a new outbreak also hit the town. This time, it was an outbreak of cholera in 1849 and 1854.

By the 20^th century, there are now many industries emerging in Wisbech including canning, brewing and light engineering. A war memorial was then erected in 1921. A concrete bridge was built over the river in 1931. By this year, the population was then risen to 12,000 and continued still.

My favourites, the library was built in 1975, the Horse Fair shopping center in 1988 and the Octavia Hill Birthplace Museum in 1995. I would always go to these places and was glad that these were built.

For the current 21^st century, our town of Wisbech continues to prosper. Just recently in 2010, the Waterless Park was opened. Our population right now is 20,000.