CELIA WIGG The future of a magnificent 17th-century manorial map of Diss has been secured by Norfolk County Council's Record Office - with the help of the town's residents.

CELIA WIGG

The future of a magnificent 17th-century manorial map of Diss has been secured by Norfolk County Council's Record Office - with the help of the town's residents.

The giant map - which is highly-detailed and colourful and almost as big as a double bed - is the work of surveyor William Tampon who is known to have produced others in East Anglia.

Made of six sheep skins glued together and using ink believed to be derived from oak apple galls, it depicts the town and surrounding area in 1637 and sparked massive interest when county archivist Dr John Alban spoke about it at the Diss and District Society earlier this year.

Dr Alban appealed to local people to support efforts to buy the map for Norfolk and a fundraising campaign was started in the town, spearheaded by resident Clifford Bird.

It was a great success: a four-figure sum was raised which enabled the record office use its own funds to acquire the important artefact which cost well in excess of £10,000.

At 2pm tomorrow (Wednesday July 5) a special viewing has been arranged for townsfolk who contributed to the appeal who include a group from the Friends of Diss Museum. As well as a tour of the searchroom, strongrooms and conservation studio at The Archive Centre in Norwich, they will be able to enjoy poring over the map.

The workmanship is excellent, the scale and compass shown along with the mere and other landmarks, and there are decorative borders and features in colours which are still bright.

Dr Alban said: “The Norfolk Record Office is proud to be associated with the townsfolk of Diss in the acquisition of William Tampon's map of the manor of Diss. I am enormously grateful to them for the financial assistance they have given us, which has helped us to acquire such an important Norfolk document.

“This has been a great example of partnership working between the Record Office and a Norfolk community, and it reinforces the town's position as a stakeholder in the county's archive service.”

The map was previously in private ownership and unsuccessful attempts were made to buy it for the town about 10 years ago.

County councillor Christopher Lloyd Owen, chairman of the Norfolk Records Committee, added: “When I first saw this very large and very beautiful object, I knew we had to purchase it for Norfolk.

“We are so lucky to have equally enthusiastic and generous people in Norfolk who supported this initiative, and special thanks to all in Diss who contributed to this purchase. They will be bowled over when they see it.”

The map will eventually go on public display.