Page 13 - Issue 82 Online

MANEA MATTERS
MANEA MATTERS
MANEA ’S SWEET HIST OR Y
MANEA’S SWEET HISTORY

New Exhibition
Manea’s Sweet History on Show This autumn Chatteris Museum will be
at Chatteris Museum featuring Freda’s story (and her sweet-
Did you go to the seaside this summer? Did making machine, kindly lent by Phyllis’s
you buy some rock or fudge? Did you know sister Dorothy) as part of the rich Traveller
that Manea was the birthplace of William and Show People History in this area,
Thompson, the founder of the sweet- in a new exhibition made possible by
making business, Rocky Thompson’s? community members in a partnership
with One Voice 4 Travellers, supported by
Born in 1829, William was a travelling the National Lottery Heritage Fund via the
confectioner and swing-boat ride owner. Association of Independent Museums.
His grand-daughter Freda, also Manea-
born, helped him from a young age. On Come and see us! We’re open Thurs 2pm-
his death in 1908 she 4pm, Fri 10am-1pm, and Sat 2pm-4pm,
agreed with her uncle and entry is FREE (but donations always
William to rent the van welcome).
she was living in (our Do you have a Manea Travellers’ Tale to
archives include some tell? Please get in touch:
newly-discovered info@chatterismuseum.org.uk
paperwork!), married or call/WhatsApp us on 0333 327 0967.
John Smith and Follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
continued to travel
round local shows
and fairs selling her
sweets. Our picture shows her pulled up
behind a Chatteris pub, with the landlady’s
grand-daughter Phyllis.
Uncle William went on to found Thompsons
of Wisbech, and members of the family still
run rock shops in Hunstanton and travel to
fairs.

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