Staff and volunteers at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, near Ely, are appealing for donations of authentic old timber building and roofing materials to assist in an ambitious project to re-interpret the social history of the fen.

The National Trust hope to re-create a traditional Eel catchers and Fenman's workshop equipped with authentic tools, nets and traps, to bring alive the unique social history of the fen for the thousands of visitors and school children who visit Wicken Fen each year. Peter Carter, the last commercial eel catcher in the fens is providing expert advice to the Trust for the project.

Historically the fen supported a thriving community whose inhabitants earned their living from the fen, harvesting sedge, reed, litter and buckthorn, digging peat and clay, and shooting and trapping wildfowl, eels and fish. Fen Cottage, a traditional fenman's home built at various stages between the early 18th and early 20TH Century provides a window onto this unique way of life.

In order for the new building to be authentic, the Trust hope to use reclaimed and well weathered materials from around the local area. Anyone with old bits of timber building, doors, windows or roofing they would like to donate are asked to contact Assistant Warden,Tim Fisher, at the Wicken Fen Visitor Centre on 01353 720274 or e-mail tim.fisher@nationaltrust.org.uk 

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Notes to Editors

1. Wicken Fen Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre is open daily (except Christmas Day) from 10am-5pm. Entry is free to National Trust members and under 5's. Adults £5.99, children £2.99, family ticket £14.99 (two adults and up to 3 children). The reserve is located of the A1123 near the village of Wicken. 9 miles south of Ely &17 miles north-east of Cambridge via the A10. The postcode for SatNavs users is CB7 5XP

2. The National Trust is a charity with a love for preserving historic places and spaces across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In short, we're a conservation charity that protects over 350 historic houses, 160 gardens, 1,100 kilometres of coastline, 254,000 hectares of land of outstanding natural beauty, 6 World Heritage Sites, 28 castles and 60 pubs - and opens them for people like you to enjoy. Find out more at: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk