Acknowledgements

This work would not have been possible without the generosity, energy and insight of many individuals and organisations across the Fens.

Over 125 residents took part in interviews, focus groups, workshops and events. We thank them for their time, honesty and trust. Many chose to remain anonymous, but their words and ideas shape every page of this project (they are part of the semi-mythical Fen Tigers in the output names). Others, from farmers to poets and community organisers, asked to be named, and their contributions are also featured.

We are also deeply grateful to the many community organisations, venues and local groups who hosted conversations and made this work richer. In particular, our thanks go to:

• Wisbech Eco Hub and Heritage Centre, organised by Lorena Hodgson, a powerful example of circular economy and community-led infrastructure
• The Rosmini Centre Wisbech, for connections and local insights
• Metal Peterborough, for their partnership and support throughout the project
• Helping Empower Lives in Peterborough (HELP), for their support with connections and local insights
• Fishtoft 400 in Boston, for providing a very welcoming and friendly atmosphere, connections and space for discussion groups
• Boston Lithuanian Community, for conversations, connections and insight

Special thanks to Lorena Hodgson, a community organiser and Wisbech resident, whose insights were vital throughout.

Thanks also to our collaborators and contributors, including:

• Dr Peter Wood (The Open University) for his work on local government policy and the final reports
• Jay Gearing (Red 7 Productions), director of the project film Dreams of the Fen Tigers.
• Amanda Rigby (Paper Rhino), designer of the short report and the Beyond Borders zine
• Keely Mills and Fasiha Ashiq, who led the creative workshops at Beyond Borders.

Full list of acknowledgements

The following individuals generously shared time, insights, ideas and encouragement during this project. This list is purely in alphabetical order. Any errors are the author’s.

Steve Appleyard, David Bailey, Shirley Barratt, Joshua Blamire, Steven Briggs, Louise Buckingham, Mike and Ginny Bucknor, Roland Burt, Julie Busby, Ruth Campbell-Ekins, Joanna and Martin Criddle, Emma Dalton, Alison and Mostyn Davies, Ian Dunn, Katie Edwards, Ola Elsabbagh, Alison Fairman, David Fannin, James Farson, Sean Finlay, Joshua Fowler, Heidi Freeman, Jay Gearing, Kate Genever, Liz Genever, Amy Gibbons, Anita Grodkiewicz, Sarah Haythornthwaite, Liz Hopkins, David Housden, Nikita Ivanov, Andy Izard, Dennis Jones, Keith Jones, Nick Jones, Martin Joss, Amanda Lacey, Richard Lenton, Peter Lundgren, Beckie Maclennan, Snow Maliavskaja, Jurate Matulioniene, Tris Miners, Julie Mitchell, Garry Monger, John Mould, Nathan Murdoch, Mark Murray, Stephen Parsley, Andy and Rebecca Pearce, Chris Porsz, Rajni Reddy, Amanda Rigby, Katy Roberts, Canon Alan Robson, Ben Rogaly, Sarah Saxby, Hana Sayeed, Axel Sedgwick, Sarah Sharpe, Keith Smith, Helen Spriggs, Chris Stevens, Kurt Storey, Iveta Suna, Kelly Thomas, Petr Torak, Edie Turner, Jack Wilkin, Rose Wilson, Peter Wood, Toby Wood and Sameena Yaqoob

If you took part in this work and would like to share a further reflection – or if you'd like to get involved in what comes next – please get in touch with dan.taylor@open.ac.uk.