In last month’s issue, we celebrated Wymondham Heritage Museum’s 30 years at its Bridewell home. It was a boon to the town when a museum was opened in Middleton Street. The opportunity to purchase The Bridewell in 1994 enabled the museum’s volunteers to make great strides over the decades, eventually establishing an attraction that meets the demands of both tourists and local residents.

Professional boards tell the story of the likes of Robert Kett, the town’s lost pubs and the history of the ancient building.

Recreation has been a theme pursued by the volunteers. Always popular with children is the dungeon with its story of life for a prisoner in the 19th century. Next door is the Anderson Shelter; the commentary helps illustrate what it was like when the bombs were falling.

Then there is the remand cell where prisoners were held when the Bridewell was a police station. It features a mannequin sitting by a bed with a commentary describing the fate that awaits him.

Undoubtedly, the most creative and ambitious project the committee has undertaken is the recreated shops. The idea came from museum stalwart, the late Mike Foyle. Mike was committee chair at the time and drove the project, which included seeking donations to finance the initiative.

When the museum closed for the season in 2019, work commenced to demolish existing displays and create and stock grocery and hardware stores based on the town’s shops in the late nineteenth/early twentieth centuries.

Once cleared, the area was cleaned and decorated. Products of the day included Fynnon Salts, Chivers Marmalade, Lyons Fruit Pie, copper kettles, tools and bed warmers.

Local contractor Stuart Gooda built the shop fronts, signage was added, and the goods were displayed. It was a huge achievement by the volunteers to have everything ready for the opening in March 2020. Unfortunately, the official launch was delayed by the Covid lockdown.

If you haven’t visited the museum, then come along and do some window shopping as the folk of the town did 100 years ago. And don’t be surprised if you spot groceries and ironmongery that were still around in your youth!