At this time of year, a frequent comment is: hasn’t summer gone quickly? I’m not sure we can say that this year. The long hot days seemed to go on for ages. Wasn’t it great knowing you could go out without having to even think about taking an umbrella? That said, it seems we’ve arrived very quickly at the final month of Wymondham Heritage Museum being open, after which it will close on Sunday November 8th.
So make haste and pay us a visit before we close. There is so much to see and do at The Bridewell – and you won’t need an umbrella!
If you were a pupil at Browick Road School, or if you know someone who was or has a youngster there, you’ll love our 150th anniversary Browick Road School display. The school has had various names during its 150 years, including Wymondham Junior School and Browick Road Council Board School. In the exhibition are photographs of pupils and teachers over the years, as well as artefacts and memories from former pupils.
Geoffrey Dixon was a teacher at the school. Now in his 90s, Geoffrey called in to the museum to donate five books he compiled with his pupils in the 1960s. They were mostly written and illustrated by the children, but Geoffrey edited them and added some short stories and poems of his own. The books show how an inspirational teacher encouraged children to explore and be creative.
One book tells how he took groups of up to six children on trips to the Broads. They packed into his Morris Minor or 1954 Morris Oxford. Goodness knows how they all squeezed in. And of course there were no seat belts! They took to the water in punts where they learnt about the Broads wildlife.
Were you at Browick Road School in the 1960s? Maybe you contributed to one of Geoffrey Dixon’s books. Memory books are available for visitors to record their memories of the school.
At the end of the month, it’ll be time to get spooky. It’s half term, so there will be a week’s worth of goings-on as the museum celebrates Halloween. Entry is free for children, and there is free squash in the Tearoom. Also in the Tearoom will be themed goodies and the popular craft table. There’ll be a pumpkin trail, and children are of course encouraged to dress up in ghostly costume.
Another date for your diary: the museum will open specially on November 28th and 29th for its annual festive event. This year the theme is a Victorian Christmas. A certain gentleman with a white beard and a red coat has already said he will be dropping in. Watch out for more information.
Although the museum will be closing for the winter, we will welcome contact from anybody interested in volunteering for next season. Roles for stewards and serving in the Tearoom are available, or if you think you can help in any way, please get in touch. More information can be found on thewhm.org.uk.
