Wymondham Heritage Museum will ring in the new season with an historic bell. For more than two centuries the news was delivered to Wymondham by the Town Crier. Ringing his bell he would announce public notices, sports results and local events. The original bell will be on display when the museum opens on Monday 4th April.
Three generations of the same family carried out the role of town crier. Described as a bellman, first to bring the news to Wymondham was Robert Harvey. On his death, his son Jesse inherited the title. Jesse, a tailor and father of 16 children, held the office from 1853 until 1914 when he handed it to his son, also Jesse.
Jesse Junior was well known in the town. He worked for brush makers S D Page for 57 years, starting at a wage of four shillings a week. At the outbreak of the Second World War the town crier was silenced when the ringing of bells was banned.
Jesse Harvey gave up the role in 1945.
The bronze bell first used by Robert Harvey, was spotted in an auction by a local antiques dealer. Two local residents, Jill Clarke and Michael Armstrong, learned it had been bought by the dealer. Agreeing to go halves on the cost, they bought the bell and presented it to Wymondham Heritage Museum.
The late Pete Green assumed the role of town crier and borrowed the bell. Following his death in 2021, his family returned the bell to the museum and it will be one of a number of new exhibits for the 2022 season.
The museum is based in the ancient Bridewell. As well as a prison, it was once the town’s police station. A new exhibition highlights a policeman’s lot in the past century. Featured is PC Alfred Charles Newman who was on the town’s beat at the turn of the 1900s. He is reputed to have been issued with Norfolk Constabulary’s first bicycle. The display is housed in a cell once used for offenders on remand.
In the 1930s, Douglas Bostock purchased land off Friarscroft Lane in the town to build a cinema. On 18th March 1937, the Regal Cinema opened showing Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in Swing Time. It was indeed regal with Axminster carpets and chrome fittings.
The museum’s special display traces the cinema’s history until its final closure in June 1993.
The Regal exhibition has been made possible thanks to Michael Armstrong, who bequeathed his collection to the museum. Michael, a life-long cinema enthusiast, was chair of The Regal Experience, set up by a group of film fans. They continued to show classic films on Sunday afternoons in the old Regal building with visits from stars including June Whitfield, Virginia McKenna, Susan Hampshire and Sylvia Syms.
The history of the Bridewell has been updated and displayed in a prison cell. It shows the life of prisoners in the 19th century and tells how, following a visit from reformer John Howard, the prison was refurbished and became a model for prisons across the UK and America.
Wymondham Heritage Museum will be open daily from 1pm to 4pm. More information at thewhm.org
Easter fun
Looking for something to do with the children during the Easter holidays? Bring them to the museum for the Easter egg hunt, Friday 15th April to Monday 18th April. Every child gets a prize. Book sale on Saturday 16th April, 10am to 12pm.
Can you help?
Have you some time to spare? The museum needs volunteers in the role of steward and to help in the Tearoom. Training will be given. If you can spare just one day a month please drop an email to info@thewhm.org.uk
