Wymondham Heritage Museum opens for the new season on Monday March 20th. During the winter break the volunteers have been busy setting up new displays and refreshing existing ones.

One such display reflects the area’s rich agricultural heritage with artefacts from farming of yesteryear. Some of them cause scratched heads as visitors work out what they were used for. The display has been revamped with a new stand for the exhibits and an information board telling the life of a farmworker and a month-by-month guide to the old farming year.

An exhibition is planned to celebrate the coronation of King Charles in May. As the Prince of Wales, the King visited Wymondham twice, once in 1992 and again in 1997. In 1992 he paid an informal visit to the Abbey, returning in 1997 to attend a Music in Churches Trust concert. The display will feature coronation memorabilia including the outfit worn by museum maintenance manager David Brackenbury for the late Queen’s coronation in 1953 when he was seven years old.

Among the popular permanent displays showcasing the history of the town is the Brushroom. It tells the story of Britons Brushes, once Wymondham’s major industry. In addition to the many artefacts is a memory book with entries from former employees and their relatives such as this gem.

“My grandmother worked here. She told me stories of knotting the brushes. She told me she used to sit on a three-legged stool and when she finished her employment at Briton she cut one leg off so no-one else could use it!”

The recreated grocery and ironmongers’ shops have shelves bulging with products from early in the last century. Some of them you may remember!

Of course, the town’s most famous citizen, Robert Kett, is featured. Why did he lead a rebellion which ended with him hanged at Norwich Castle?

There is the fascinating history of the museum’s home, The Bridewell, displayed in one of the cells. Its role from the 17th century was a prison, then a police station and finally a magistrate’s court. Visitors can find out what life was like for the prisoners, what they ate, the rules and regulations they had to abide by. Go down to the dungeon and experience how it felt when the cell door slammed shut.

Other regular favourites include a look at the many lost pubs of Wymondham, the history of the Regal Cinema and how the long arm of the local law policed the town.

Round off your visit with a hot cuppa and homemade cake or scone in The Bridewell Tearoom, formerly the exercise yard for remand prisoners. Look out for the new table numbers carved by David Brackenbury using an image of the iconic Market Cross.

For more information about the museum, details of opening times and admission prices go to thewhm.org.uk

Wishing well

During the close season, the wishing well was emptied to retrieve the coins dropped in by visitors making a wish. The money goes towards helping to maintain the museum. It receives no outside funding, relying on admission revenue and donations. If you popped a coin in the well and made a wish, did it come true? The museum would love to know.

Can you spare a few hours a month to help at Wymondham Heritage Museum? Volunteers are urgently needed for the roles of stewards and to help in the Tearoom. Stewards greet visitors on reception, take admission fees and answer questions. In the Tearoom volunteers serve visitors with hot drinks and snacks. Training is given for both roles and you will work with an experienced volunteer. Just three hours a month, more if you can manage it, will help the museum remain open seven days a week. If you can help, please email: info@thewhm.org.uk