Museum opens its doors in Dereham for another season

And now an exhibition celebrating Victorian life has opened in a Norfolk town's museum. 

Dereham Museum reopened its doors on Friday to celebrate Victorian life and community wellbeing for the start of its new season. 

Local dignitaries gather to host the reopening of the Dereham Museum (Image: Denise Bradley)

Chairman of the Dereham Heritage Trust Dr Peter Wade-Martins said: "The exhibition tells the stories of local characters of the time, their businesses and trades and the many changes that Dereham has seen over the past 150 years.

"The displays tell you how life in the town in the Victorian period was powered by so many small businesses, tradesmen, and craftsmen, which drove the local economy."

Explaining the questions the exhibits can answer, he added: "If you lived in the town then where would you buy your hats? Where would your children go to school? 

"Where would you buy your cough mixture and where you would get your water from before the days of piped water? From old photographs and newspapers there is so much you can learn about life a hundred years ago."

Attending the opening was George Freeman, MP for Mid Norfolk, Hugh King, the town's mayor, Linda Monument, deputy mayor, and Rev Canon Paul Cubitt, the rector for the nearby church of St Nicholas.

Bishop Bonner's Cottage in Dereham (Image: Denise Bradley)READ MORE: Dereham Museum explores Victorian life and John Craske

There is also local art on display that "shows how art can be the key to social regeneration and wellbeing".

A community wellbeing art exhibition called John Craske: Picturing Peace has had over 90 entries that mirror the late artist’s perspective on the therapeutic value of art.

The museum will be open this year on Friday mornings, between 10am and 1 pm, and on Saturdays, from 10 am to 4 pm.

Admission is £3 for adults, and children can visit for free.