PRESS RELEASE
21 March 2007

Malcolm Moss MP flies the flag for Wisbech’s most famous son; Thomas Clarkson

The bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade was yesterday (20 March) debated in Parliament. The mood, celebratory yet commemorative of the great men that stood up for what they believed in, in the face of great struggle. All the big names were mentioned; William Wilberforce, Granville Sharpe, James Ramsey. The work of Wisbech’s own Thomas Clarkson was represented by Malcolm Moss MP in a speech made to the House.

Malcolm Moss MP said:

“Thomas Clarkson is, without a doubt, that Georgian gem of a town’s most famous son, and Wisbech town centre is dominated by a 70 ft-high monument to him, which was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott and erected in 1881 following public subscription.

“Clarkson was very effective at giving the committee (for effecting the abolition of slave trade) a high public profile…riding around England promoting the cause and gathering evidence. The sheer magnitude of the endeavour takes one’s breath away. He covered some 35 000 miles, mainly on horseback… in the course of his journeys he interviewed almost 20 000 sailors and people involved with the trade.

“Possibly because of his public spat with Wilberforce’s sons after Wilberforce’s death… Clarkson’s place in history seemed to be completely eclipsed by that of Wilberforce. However in 1996, 150 years after his death, a fitting monument to him was unveiled in Westminster Abbey- most appropriately, next door to that of his lifelong friend and colleague William Wilberforce.”

To mark the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade Wisbech Society is running a host of events until November this year. Concerts, talks and church services are all being hosted in the town. Additionally the town of Wisbech has played an important part in facilitating the celebrations that will be going on in Westminster.

Malcolm Moss MP said:

“It might also interest the House… to know that the renowned brewery in Wisbech, Elgoods brewery, which brews an extremely palatable real ale, will brew a special ale to be known as the Brookes ale, named after the slave ship that Clarkson drew and took round to show people how slaves were packed into such vessels.

“…the ale will be available to all quaffers of such ale in the bars of the Palace of Westminster from 23 May to the end of our summer term.”

In addition the Wisbech and Fenland museum have kindly permitted the loan of Clarkson’s chest, which he used to transport his artefacts and visual aids around the country, to the Westminster Hall celebration exhibition which opens on 23 May.