There’s more to one of the best-loved shops in Norwich than meets the eye…I’ll wager many of you have popped into Thorns DIY over the years.
Almost 200 years old it is one of those wonderful family-run enterprises we can all be proud of, more than ever in this day and age.
And now, as part of the Norfolk Heritage Days, it is displaying remarkable paintings by a mystery artist decades ago.
Sadly, says Emily Duke of Thorns, they do not know that much about them.
“These unusual paintings were discovered when removing some old stands in the 1950s they were then covered up with shelving but customers could still see a glimpse of them,” she said.
In 2012, while undertaking renovations they removed the shelving and unveiled the paintings to the public. They are covered with acrylic sheet to project them, so often are missed by customers.
“They are believed,” said Emily, “to date back to the 18th century when our building used to be a hotel of disrepute. You can still see remnants of the hotel in our gardening and homewares department with the original wooden cladding, there is still a dumbwaiter in one of our stockrooms.”
“Thomas Paston, my grandad was always told it was painted by an artist who stayed at the hotel, he had no money so he created these paintings as a way of earning his keep.
“They are believed to be the artists impression of people from around the world during that era. They are beautifully painted with so much detail, we love them and are keen to show them off for others to appreciate too,” said Emily.
You can drop in to see the paintings when Norfolk Heritage Open Days return from Friday September 8 to Sunday September 17, with hundreds of free events across the county.
From Great Yarmouth to Thetford and everywhere in between, visitors can explore boats, theatres, abbeys, parks, windmills, churches, railways, old hospitals, and much more…all for free.
Katie Ellis, Norfolk Heritage Open Days Producer, says: “We’re really grateful to the organisers and volunteers from across Norfolk who take the time to put on fantastic events for everyone to enjoy. Norfolk is an amazing county, with a rich history, and Heritage Open days is a brilliant opportunity for everyone to celebrate and explore.”
Events include:
Norwich School Air Raid Shelter Tours.
Monday September 11, Wednesday September 13, Friday September 15. Pre-book only.
Guided walk of the former Norfolk County Asylum, St Andrews Park, Thorpe St Andrew.
Friday September 15. Pre-book only.
Crime and Punishment Tours, Thetford.
Friday September 8 and Saturday September 9. Pre-book only.
St Benet’s Abbey, Ludham. Fish & Chippings.
Saturday September 9, Wednesday September 13 and Saturday September 16 at 2pm. Drop in.
Anna Sewell House, Great Yarmouth.
Friday September 8, Wednesday 13 and Friday 15. Drop in.
You can book events from Monday August 21 and for all the details visit norfolkheritageopendays.co.uk
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