What do you expect to see when you go to a local museum? The history of the town and the surrounding area. The industries that made the town prosperous, the jobs the citizens did and how they spent their leisure time. Wymondham Heritage Museum has all of this. The Brushroom celebrates the town’s once major industry, “Our Agricultural Heritage” exhibition focuses on local farming. The display reveals that there was a pub on almost every corner and highlights the history of the Regal Cinema.

Of course, something that sets Wymondham apart is that the museum is housed in the historic Bridewell. Visitors can see how prisoners were treated over the centuries and why the building became the blueprint for prisons across the UK and the world.

But as you make your way around the ancient building, look carefully in the cabinets and at the objects on display. There are some quirky items, some that, at first glance, may have you puzzled as to what they are. Here are just a few. Look out for them and many more when you visit the museum.

Air fryers are all the rage now, but in the 1930s, you might have been cooking the evening meal in this sturdy pressure cooker. You’ll find it in the basement when you go down to the dungeon.

Could these be grills for an extractor fan? In fact, if you were driving in the blackout during the Second World War, you would have had these shields over your headlights to fox the enemy. Look for them in the war display cabinet.

What’s a bit of wood doing hanging from the ceiling? Well, this particular piece of timber dates back to 1617/18. It is the remains of the original carving for the Market Cross when it was replaced following the Great Fire of Wymondham in 1615, See if you can spot it in the main gallery.

This is called a fiddle, but it’s nothing you would want to play! It was also known as an iron collar and was used as a restraint on prisoners. It weighed seven and a half pounds. It went round the neck with the curvatures holding up the hands as if in prayer. Last used at The Bridewell on prisoner John Cooper in 1803. It’s in the cell which also documents the history of The Bridewell.

What on earth is this for? It’s a leather shoe for a horse. You’d put it on the hoof to stop the animal cutting up the lawn. It features in the museum’s new “agricultural display in the main gallery.

Could this be a large pair of compasses? If you keep sheep, you might recognise them as sheep shearers. It would have taken a fair while to remove the fleece snipping away with these. They too can be found among a wide selection of farming tools of yesteryear on the agricultural display.

These are just a few of the fascinating artefacts on view in Wymondham Heritage Museum. Tearoom and Museum open daily Saturday to Wednesday 1pm-4pm, Thursday and Friday 10am-4pm. More information at thewhm.org.uk.