A Stroll around Diss
March-October, £5 per person (accompanied children under 12 free)
Stroll time: approx. 1.5 hours, start and finish at the Museum
Introducing you to our lovely market town – not just a guided tour! Learn about some of the old buildings, the town’s history, some of its famous people and a lot of interesting things about Diss.
Remember… we put the ROLL into the STROLL for those who rely upon wheels to get around!
View the event poster
The Shambles - When the Museum building was a butcher's shop
Amongst items on display are the large weighing scales, a frightningly heavy meat cleaver, a bloodied apron, photographs and three 'frails'. Frail was the name given to the rushwork bags that Mr. Anness the butcher provided for carrying meat home. An indication of their age is shown by the printed telephone number on the bag - Diss 105.
Audio-visual
Since last November we have had A/V in the Shambles to demonstrate DVDs on sale in the shop. The facility has also been used to show the Tristram Cary Story and is currently being used to display the story of the Diss Dig.
Permanent Exhibitions
Always on display are the Manning family dolls' house and information about local personalities like Tudor poet-laureate and Diss rector, John Skelton, and Victorian photographer, Cleer Alger.
Temporary Exhibitions
Details of our temporary exhibitions for 2020.
Major exhibition – The Austerity Years 1945-1954
Starting on May 8th 1945 – Victory in Europe day. After more than 6 hard years of war, there was hope in the air, but not everything changed overnight. Our display offers a glimpse into everyday life for ordinary people. Diss Museum acknowledges loans from Moyse’s Hall Museum – Bury St Edmunds, several individuals and pieces from our own collection, which brings this eye catching display to life. Don’t miss our cabinet dedicated to Childhood Austerity.
From over 60 new acquisitions in 2019 a selection will be on show, including:
Civil Defence beret & certificates, A prize bowling ball from The Cherry Tree Pub, LP records, Service issue cutlery & sewing kit, Shepherd Coe, a handmade child’s smock and more. Other new acquisitions are on display in other cases.
An Alphabet of Pipes
Twenty-six pipes from our extensive collection. Each of the figurative pipes are decorated and are displayed in alphabetical order, along with associated tobacconalia.
Toys & Models
Hand-made and commercial toys, from our own Collection.
Household
From times past, utensils, tools, equipment – you’ll recognise them!
Framed
Certificates, drawings, prints, paintings and photographs – unwrapped and on show, some for the first time in many years.
Aldrich Bros. Brush Factory
Showcasing the family business along with items used and made at the factory, including some newly discovered wooden patterns, used for casting metal machine parts.
The Community Cabinet
Exhibits this year will include The Montgomerie Lodge - an insight into Masonic artefacts, Can you havetoo many ties? Teapots on Show, and more.
Have you a collection you’d like to show?
Send us an email – disscollections@gmail.com and tell us all about it.
News
Please click on a link below to read more.
Read about the Tommy ceremony, March 2019
Read about the 2019 opening ceremony for Diss Museum
Read about the Burston Strike School, from the recent talk at the Museum
Diss Museum Manager Basil Abbott helps author with research
Thomas Manning archive discovered
Pocket watch commemorating the brave deed of a Diss man has been found in Australia
All meetings are held at St Mary’s Church Hall, Mount Street, Diss IP22 4QQ, Fridays at 7.30 pm
Tony Diamond - THE SHIPPING FORECAST - *WE APOLOGISE, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED*
Friday 20th March
Millions of people across the British Isles hear this four times a day - 95% of them don’t understand it!
INDOOR SPRING CRAFT & TABLE TOP SALE - *WE APOLOGISE, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED*
Sunday 5th April, 9am to 12 noon, free entry
Roydon Village Hall, High Road, Roydon, Diss, IP22 5RB
Nicky Reynolds - WOMEN OF THE LAND ARMY - *WE APOLOGISE, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED*
Friday 17th April
Their story during WWII
A short AGM* will be held before Bob Rogers talk - PADDLE STEAMERS IN LONDON & THE EAST COAST
Friday 15th May
The impact of paddle steamers on the lives of people in the 19th century. *Free entry for people attending the AGM only .
Tim Holt-Wilson THE DOGGERLAND STORY – DROWNED LANDSCAPES OF THE NORTH SEA
Friday 19th June
Tracing Doggerland’s submergence under the North Sea, its changing wildlife landscape and human settlement, all set against a background of changing climate and rising sea levels.
Lois Easter - ACCEPTANCE OF WOMEN IN THE METROPOLITAN POLICE
Friday 17th July
Lois has first-hand experience of how young female police officers in the 70s triumphed in the face of what would be seen today as sexism and bullying.
Jonathan Dutton - THE 1940’S HOUSE – AN ART THROWN AWAY
Friday 21st August
Jonathan’s collection of Post-War throw away paper items from daily life, a few with local connections, will remind us of what we read, listened to, shopped for and how much it cost!
Frances Hart - FIRST CATCH YOUR HARE
Friday 18th September
Hannah Glasse’s Art of Cookery 1747 - A forerunner of Mrs Beaton
Phyllida Scrivens - ESCAPING HITLER
Friday 16th October
Memories from a 94 year old Norfolk man, the true story of a Jewish boy’s quest for freedom
THE QUIZ
Friday 20th November
David & Avril are back with their lighthearted fun quiz. Plus the popular Mince Pies for All!
David Mitchell - FARMING SKILLS: ALL GONE! ALL GONE!
Friday 18th December
The impact of modern farming techniques on time hallowed practice.
Meeting entrance fee: Friends £3, Visitors £5. Money raised covers costs and helps finance specific museum projects.
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