Women’s Institutes, clubs and societies, schools, Scouts, Guides, Brownies, are among those who have been welcomed to Wymondham Heritage Museum for a guided tour. Perhaps unsurprisingly, bearing in mind the history of the ancient Bridewell, the museum’s home, paranormal groups have also spent a spooky evening there and report that they made contact with characters from the building’s past. They produced some fascinating encounters for which there was some supporting evidence.

Conducting the tours are volunteers Jaybee Brown and Amanda Oelrichs. Says Jaybee: “The tours last a couple of hours and can be general or tailored for what visitors particularly want to see.”

Most popular is the history of The Bridewell, its role as a prison and the life of the prisoner, plus its time as a police station and a magistrate’s court. Robert Kett and his rebellion, crime and punishment and the town’s once major industry, brushmaking, are also high on the list. For schools, tours are structured to fit what they need for their curriculum. For example, the two recreated shops, The Damgate Stores and The Little Dustpan, are ideal for how we shopped in the past.

“Visitors usually view them through the shop windows, but for the children, I open them up to give them a closer feel. I play shopkeeper,” says Jaybee. “They don’t understand that you went into a shop, handed over your list of groceries and the assistant would get everything for you. They’re used to going into supermarkets and getting things off the shelves themselves.

“I get them to answer questions; what was this used for? I tell them we used to shop for the bottom drawer. Another children’s favourite are the leg irons and chains which they can try on. The museum also has a collection of truncheons.

“They don’t know about truncheons,” Jaybee explains. “They don’t hear about them these days. I get them out of the case to show them. They’re fascinated by the fact that a policeman could give you a clout round the ear, even take you home to mum and dad!”

Following the tour, visitors are free to look around the museum with the guide on hand to answer questions.

Tours cost £3.50 per head, £1 for children. Cost including tea coffee and cake in The Bridewell Tearoom is £6. If you are interested in arranging a tour for your group, email: groupvisits@thewhm.org.uk.