History Club Meeting Resume on Tuesday January 6th

Please note: we meet for 50 weeks of the year, but for the next two we're shutting up shop, hunkering down and resting awhile. We'll start meeting again on Tuesday 6th January, usual time and place. Happy Christmas and New Year to all of our members, partners and supporters!

'Norwich 1144: A Jew's Tale'- Book Launch

During the summer, novelist and historian, Bill Albert came to speak to Norwich Community History Club members about the novel he was then working on, based on the story of William of Norwich. As some of you will know, it has been published and is called, 'Norwich 1144: A Jew's Tale'. There will be a launch event for this on Wednesday 10th December, 1:00-2:30, and Bill has asked me to invite the club members, and anyone else who is interested, to attend. 

Award Nomination

I am very pleased and proud to announce that The Norwich Community History Club is being nominated for a 2015 Adult Learner's Week project award, in recognition of our transformational learning and positive impact on members' lives. Fingers crossed folks!

Free Three Day History Event - starts Wednesday 19th November

As part of the 'Being Human Festival of the Humanities', there's a fabulous free three-day event held in the Curve at the Norwich Forum this week. Come along!

Please click on image in order to enlarge

  
For further details, click HERE

Norwich Community History Club's AGM - Chairperson's Report

The Marble Hall - one of many historic sites we have visited
over the last two years

Today was the Norwich Community History Club's Annual General Meeting. As part of this, I presented a review of our development and performance up to this date to our members, in the form of a Chairperson's Report. I have just uploaded a copy of the transcript to Google Drive and hope that the following link will allow you to access it...

https://drive.google.com/…/0B2Aul0wa50cTQ0R5ZWpBcTB0d…/view…

Also, FYI: the previous officers (Colin Howey = Chair; Nick Bowen = Vice Chair; Rachel Wright = Secretary; Andrew Eeles = Treasurer) were all re-elected.

I think we all agreed that, although we have areas where we can improve and develop, overall the History Club continues to flourish and is making a positive difference, both, to its members and to the wider community.

Thanks!
Colin

The Punk Steps In Front Of His Window

I am a writer for the national Heritage Open Day (HOD) blog. Here is an article I've just written about our HOD event at Frettenham Church, where the artist who created it, Paul Greener, was 'in situ' to reveal its secrets...

The Punk Steps In Front Of His Window

Thanks!

~ Colin Howey ~

Our Norfolk Heroes and Heroines

Henry Jesse Sexton - a Norfolk hero?

Today, History Club members did a session which I thought was fascinating in so many ways. My role was to facilitate a discussion about people we consider to have made a real contribution to Norfolk life. I began by explaining why group activities like this are such an important part of the Norwich Community History Club. 

Just as we encourage members to meet and mix in St Stephen's Church cafe in order to connect with others, so our group activities serve an important part in connecting us with each other. Furthermore, through the ensuing discussions members' become active in discovering their history. It activates us and helps us to be curious and keep learning. The insights, ideas and questions of the members are treated with respect and valued, as we have 'history in our heads' - and that is valid and important to us. 

Having outlined this the members discussed their hero(ine)s in their groups. It was clear that, for some people, this proved to be challenging initially. There was, I think, a bit of 'blank page' syndrome going around. However, after a while the discussion 'warmed up' a bit and it proved to be fascinating. 

Unsurprisingly, one of the names that was mentioned in several groups was Admiral Horatio Nelson, the great British naval hero and son of Norfolk. However, in the course of the wider discussion one member voiced the opinion that Nelson was more properly associated with Portsmouth than Norfolk. It was suggested that his adoption on the road signage of Norfolk was more about place marketing than any real contribution made by Nelson to the county. This is an interesting perspective and forms the basis of a discussion I would like us to return to at some point. 

At one point, Clare Agate, the Community Librarian who helps make us feel so welcome at the Millennium Library every week, left her group returning with an armful of books (as a librarian should!). In particular, with a copy of 'Moving Miles' in hand, she wanted to highlight the work done by Nigel and Jennifer Ford in recognising and restoring the historic milestones of Norfolk to their former glory (see HERE for further details). Feeding back during the discussion, Clare said that, for her, these 'ordinary' folk had made an extraordinary contribution to the county's heritage. In addition, Clare's group noted the case for Jeremiah Coleman (social reformer and philanthropist), Elizabeth Fry (prison reformer), Alan Bloom (horticulturalist and founder of Bressingham Steam Museum), Sir George Edwardes (early trade union organiser of Norfolk's rural workers). Another person who was mentioned was Sylvia Haymon, author of 'The Quivering Tree' and other publications about Norfolk life. It was fascinating to hear the reminiscences of one of the members who went to school with Sylvia and who treasures her copies of her work. During this discussion, I mentioned Edith Cavell, whose story members know very well now following the brilliant sessions we've done with Nick Miller. It is extraordinary that, facing imminent execution at the hands of the German military authorities in 1915, she was able to find the generosity of spirit to speak these famous words:
"... standing as I do in view of God and eternity, I realise that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone."

On another table the discussion had a different emphasis. This group reflected upon those people who worked to preserve our historic buildings for posterity. These included Augustine Steward, who in the sixteenth century helped to save the former Dominican friary (now Blackfriars/St Andrew's Hall), together with those solid citizens who donated museums to the people of Norwich (Sir Henry Holmes, Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell; Leonard Bolinbroke, Strangers Hall). I was also reminded of the contribution of Henry Sexton who donated the wonderful Assembly House as a cultural centre for the people of Norwich (see the plaque dedicated to him, pictured above). As we considered these benefactors and their contributions we remembered the excellent work of The Norwich Society, as well as the bequests of the wealthy merchants of Norwich which, via the work of the Norwich Charitable Trusts, continue to benefit people on low incomes in Norwich to this day.

Club treasurer, Andrew, made a case for the architect, Henry Bell, to be cited as a hero for designing the amazing Customs House in King's Lynn, pictured here... 

Customs House, Kings Lynn [source: King's Lynn Online)

Designed in the Classical Revival style, this architectural gem is one of Norfolk's outstanding buildings. Henry Bell, a friend and contemporary of Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor, surely deserves greater recognition than he has hitherto received. Indeed, we will be encouraging Andrew to develop a talk for us about him in order to help fan those flames of fame. 

Finally, this fascinating discussion also focused on people who quietly contribute to their county and community. One such person is Geoff Roberts, founder of 'The Flying Folk Club', which has, for the past twenty five years, been meeting at different pubs across Norfolk. This club brings people together to sing folk songs and to socialise. Maggie, who nominated Jeff, painted an affectionate portrait of a man who, "is great at bringing people together... and improving their wellbeing." In a similar vein, Jill mentioned Emily Faith Marsh, who up until her death earlier this year, was a much loved and widely respected resident at Mangay House in Aylsham. Faith (as she was known) was kind and gentle and lived for 32 years in the flats, having retired there aged 63. 

Many of those nominated may be people without plaques - so to speak - but it doesn't mean that we shouldn't savour and celebrate them. Within the Norwich Community History Club we will continue to do so!

~ Colin Howey, NCHC Chairperson ~

Newsflash! Events at 2nd Air Division Library

FYI: Here are some forthcoming events at the 2nd Air Division Library within the Norwich Forum...

A few dates for your diaries……

Wednesday 24 September @ 12.30pm

The 2AD State Registers: A talk by Dr Rebecca McGann

Norfolk Heritage Centre, 2nd Floor, Millennium Library.

The state registers of the American Red Cross Service Club for Bishop’s Palace in Norwich are part of the Second Air Division Memorial Library Archive held at the Norfolk Record Office. Arranged alphabetically by American state name, the four surviving registers detail the American servicemen who visited the Club between 1943 and 1946. This talk looks at the contents of the registers, their socio-historical context in relation to the Club at Bishop’s Palace and the work of the American Red Cross during the Second World War, and the value the current project (led by the Norfolk Record Office) to transcribe the registers will have for family and military research. A free event, advance booking not necessary. Please note this event takes place at the Norfolk Heritage Centre (on the Second Floor of the Millennium Library) and is run by staff from the Norfolk Record Office. For more information, please call 01603 774740 or email: norfolk.studies.lib@norfolk.gov.uk

Black History Month 2014 @ The Millennium Library

Three events for Black History Month presented by the University of East Anglia, School of American Studies. To book a place at any of these three talks/workshops please contact the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library on 01603 774747 or email us at 2admemorial.lib@norfolk.gov.uk

Thursday 9 October (6.30 – 7.30pm)

The Life and Legacy of Maya Angelou

Vernon Castle Room, Norwich Millennium Library

This event will commemorate the life and work of the African American writer Maya Angelou, who sadly passed away in May of this year. This roundtable discussion will feature contributions from staff from the Department of American Studies at UEA who will discuss various aspects of Angelou’s career and reflect on what her writing means to them.

Wednesday 22 October (6.00 - 7.30pm)

The Anti-Apartheid Movement in Britain: A Roundtable Discussion

Vernon Castle Room, Norwich Millennium Library

20 years after the first democratic elections in South Africa, academics and former activists will lead a general discussion reflecting on anti-apartheid activism in Britain. To coincide with the ‘Forward to Freedom’ exhibition based at the Millennium Library, this roundtable will provide a general overview of the anti-apartheid struggle as well as reflecting on the activities of local activists in Norfolk.

Wednesday 29 October (6.30 – 7.30pm)

Film and Black History: 12 Years a Slave and Belle

Vernon Castle Room, Norwich Millennium Library

A discussion of recent films that document black history and the legacy of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Lectures and postgraduates from UEA will examine how Hollywood has dealt with black history and discuss the on-going political significance of films such as Belle and 12 Years A Slave in terms of how we remember and debate the issue of slavery today.

And coming soon - details of our 2014 Autumn Lecture Series

Libby Morgan 

Wildlife of Norfolk Churchyards

Next Tuesday (23rd Sept) we are delighted to welcome wildlife photographer, David Boutlon, who will be presenting a visual tour of wildlife in churchyards across Norfolk. Entirely in keeping with our wellbeing ethos, this will be a chance to learn and relax as we look at images of the changing seasons. 

In Memory of Norfolk's Teachers who died during the First World War

Today, at County Hall in Norwich, I noticed this brass plaque commemorating teachers from Norfolk who died during the First World War. I have added it to the War Memorials Online site HERE

Tues 9th Sept - The Churches of Ber Street & King Street

Tuesday 9th September 2014: The Norwich Community History Club are delighted to welcome back Dr Nick Groves (pictured above) who will be speaking to us about the churches in the area of Ber/King Street. Whereas, previous, he has offered us a more general survey of the city's churches, this focus on a particular locality will allow him to explore the sites in much greater depth than was hitherto possible. As regular members will already know, Nick combines a genuine depth of knowledge with a warm wit - always a winning combination! 

8th in the East!

This coming Tuesday we will be welcoming Hannah Potter, the Community Archaeologist from the 8th in the East project, to come and talk to us about their work. Basically, this involves working alongside communities in East Anglia to explore the history of the 8th United States Army Air Force in the region during World War 2. 

Here's a link to their site:
8th in the East

Local History/Heritage Talks, Walks & 'Experiences' - June & July

Explore, be curious...

A great series of history/heritage related events shared by Liz Budd from the Norfolk Record Office...

'We have some great new events to tell you about today as we look across the rest of June and into July.

‘Norfolk’s War’ Community Conference at the Forum, Norwich

On Friday, 20^th June, the Forum is hosting a conference aimed at individuals and groups with in interest in the First World War. The programme includes speakers from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the UK Government, Heritage Lottery Fund, Norfolk Record Office, Norfolk Library and Information Service and Norfolk Regimental Museum as well as local heritage groups and historians.

The event is free and includes a light lunch. It starts at 9.30am and finishes at 3.30pm. Please email rachel.harrison@theforumnorwich.co.uk or telephone 01603 727966 if you are interested in attending. The Forum Trust are organising this event on behalf of Norfolk County Council and Keith Simpson, MP.

A Walk with Frank Meeres

To mark Refugee Week, Frank Meeres will be leading a walk around Norwich on June 22^nd at 2pm. The walk starts from the Forum and will look at the lasting impact of refugees in the city over hundreds of years. More details here.

House and Military History Workshops

From June 14^th to June 20^th we are running twelve free workshops about house or military history in twelve Norfolk libraries including Gorleston, Mundesley, Hellesdon, Thetford (x2), Taverham, Harleston, King’s Lynn, Hunstanton, Downham Market, Costessey and Attleborough. More details here.

UEA meets NRO

Starting this evening, we have three lectures from UEA researchers on subjects as diverse as Latino identities, politics, conflict and communications. All start at 6pm on weekday evenings in June at the Millennium Library. More details here.

Heritage Hour

New topics for our September Quarter include a talk from the curator of Norwich Castle’s Wonder of Birds exhibition, smallpox and vaccination in Norwich, resources of the Regimental Museum and the 2^nd Air Division State Registers. Heritage Hour happens every Wednesday at 12.30pm and every Tuesday at 5.30pm at Norfolk Heritage Centre, on the second floor of the Millennium Library. Full details will appear on our events page shortly, or pick up a leaflet at any of our locations.

If you have queries about any of the above events, or other questions about using Norfolk Record Office, please email norfrec@norfolk.gov.uk.

We hope to see you soon!

Norfolk Record Office'

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Change of Cafe Meeting Place

IMPORTANT NOTICE: From next week onwards, we will be meeting in the cafe at St Stephen's Church on Rampant Horse Street (at the usual time, 10:30-c11:00). This was decided by an (almost) unanimous vote by club members at today's meeting

The Archaeology of Norwich, 1066-1536

Brian explaining how archaeological analysis is
revealing the shifting patterns of fishing in the
North Sea during the medieval period

Last week we were very pleased to welcome the archaeologist and author, Brian Ayers, to speak to us. He delivered a presentation about the archaeology of Norwich in the period between the Norman Conquest and the beginning of the Reformation. As ever, Brian was authoritative and entertaining and everyone was immensely impressed with his scholarship and eloquence. This feeling was summed up by History Club member, Maggie, who said:

"Yesterday's talk was absolutely illuminating. He's such a good speaker. That's where years of practice get you!'

Indeed!

World War One at Home

On Saturday 31st May, several members of the Norwich Community History Club volunteered to support the BBC's 'World War One at Home' event outside the Norwich Forum. Not only did the sun shine, but the people came - in fact, they turned up in droves. We were designated as volunteers to support to people who were queuing up to access the WW1 at Home website and to discover more about (mostly) relatives who were involved in the war. 

The basic idea of the WW1 @ Home project is that it is an online resource where members of the public can add information about individuals involved in WW1. This might range from include, for instance, letters, postcards, service records etc. The idea is to build an online archive that forms a permanent online resource recognising the contribution of that generation. 

Back to the queue... we volunteers were completely whacked by the end of the day. We'd talked to hundreds of people, all with their special stories and memories. One that sticks in my mind was a lovely man called Len, who told me about his great-uncle who was protected then smuggled out of occupied Belgium by none other that Edith Cavell herself. Amazing! I took Len's number and I'm hoping that he will come and talk to the History Club about this and other memories at some point soon. 

Here is the World War One at Home website:

World War One at Home

Register on it and then search for people you are interested in adding to the archive. Remember too that it isn't just about men who served in the armed forces. The BBC are equally interested in recognising the contribution of those who worked on the home front - an undertold story. 

Thanks!
Colin

Norfolk Record Office Events

Here's a message from Elizabeth Budd from the Norfolk Record Office's Education and Outreach team...

"Norfolk Record Office is very pleased to announce new events this June, and to report that there are still a small number of places on our children’s half term activities next week.

For Adult Learners’ Week (14-21 June) we are running eleven workshops in libraries across the breadth of the county. Some will be ‘house history for beginners’ and others ‘researching your military ancestors’. For full details, click here.

Would you like to hear about current research at the University of East Anglia? If communications, politics and conflict or American culture are your cup of tea, then ‘save the date’ for our three special guest lectures from the Schools of History and American Studies at UEA. We are delighted to have agreed dates and speakers for a trio of evening events (6pm) at Norfolk Heritage Centre called ‘UEA meets NRO’.

Our half term activities on May 27 and 28 at 2pm are booking fast. To ensure your place(s), please call 01603 222599. This time, we’re making boats and windpumps, celebrating St Benet’s and the Norfolk Broads. Our children’s activities are free!

If you’d like to interact with us online rather than visiting us, why not suggest ‘Your Norfolk Icon’ on our Facebook page? As our current exhibition is about St Benet’s Abbey an ‘icon of the Broads’, we’re looking for your own personal favourite Norfolk places.

Finally, a reminder that our St Benet’s lectures and Heritage Hours are ongoing, and again all of these details can be found at http://norfolkrecordoffice.eventbrite.co.uk

Happy researching!'

Museum Musings - A Fragile Survivor

I am currently writing a series of articles about museum objects that inspire me. I thought I would share one of these with you, HERE. As you will see, it is about an exquisite and fragile glass wine flask (pictured above) that is over 400 years old, and can be found on display within Norwich Castle Museum's Decorative Arts gallery. Having read this, maybe you will be inspired to go and see it for yourself!

Colin Howey
Chair
Norwich Community History Club

NOTICE: We Meet Again - Return to Marzanos

Image © UK Railways - Norwich Thorpe Junction, 1971

Just a quick notice to let you know that as from next Tuesday (20th May) we will be meeting at our usual place, Cafe Bar Marzanos in the Forum. 

Our speaker next week will be club Vice Chair, Nick Bowen, who will be giving an insiders account of his many years working on the railways. Knowing Nick as I do, this one will be well worth attending, and I'm really looking forward to it myself. 

Best Wishes,
Colin

Colin Howey
Chair
Norwich Community History Club

Please Note - Meeting in St Stephen's Church Cafe

PLEASE NOTE: We will be meeting for one more time next Tuesday (13th May) at St Stephens Church cafe, just in case the Marzano's Cafe is not ready in time.

St Benet's Exhibition & Free Lecture Series

Stories from St Benet's Exhibition...

St Benet’s Abbey, often referred to as an ‘icon of the Broads’, has been the subject of a recent HLF funded Conservation, Access and Community Project.  This exhibition examines the history and development of the Abbey, through the stories and records of its inhabitants and visitors, including those involved in the project.

The exhibition features items from the Norfolk Record Office, as well as artwork and archaeological finds from the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery and books and photographs from Norfolk Millennium Library (click on image, below, for details).

Stories from St Benet's Lecture Series...

In addition to the exhibition, there is also, an accompanying free lecture series, May – June 2014 (click on image, below, for details)

Announcement re Meeting Place

Thanks to everyone who attended today's talk about Kett's Rebellion. 

FYI for the next couple of weeks Cafe Bar Marzanos is doing building work where we normally gather. Therefore, over that period (29th April and 6th May) we will be using the cafe in the nearby St Stephen's church in Chapelfield, which is open from 10am onwards. 

Thanks!
Colin

Museum of Norwich Filming

All images © Aimee Judkins 2014

All of the evidence shows that a really important part of our wellbeing comes from giving. Therefore, we in the Norwich Community History Club are committed to contributing to the wider community. As part of our commitment to this, we are currently working in partnership with BBC Voices and the Norfolk Museums Service to make films about one of the Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell. Here are some photographs of club members working on their films. 

Learning From Auschwitz

April 1st 2014: Sometimes there are moments of synchronicity when things come together with great outcomes. So it was that, fresh from attending a workshop at Norwich Cathedral focused on Norwich's historic association with the first known accusation of ritual child murder in European history (the case of William of Norwich), I was contacted by a sixteen year old sixth form student from Hewett School, asking if she could talk to the History Club members about her experience of visiting Auschwitz. 

I met up with Chloe prior to the talk and was immediately impressed by her maturity, eloquence, insight and sense of social justice, fueled by her recent visit as part of the Learning From Auschwitz (LFA) programme to the camp site. My first impression was entirely justified by the quality of the presentation she shared with our members the following day. 

Having been actively involved with projects such as the Anne Frank exhibition myself in the past, I knew the main facts about the camp. But listening to Chloe's first hand account of her visit, the poignancy of the tragedy really hit me. I found myself moved by her account of meeting Susan, an elderly camp survivor, who, as a thirteen year old, had entered the camp and had around fifty family members murdered by the Nazi criminals. Listening, I was struck by the thought that Chloe, so impressive at sixteen years of age, was actually three years older than Susan. It is so important that we all engage with this tragedy and learn from it, so that we treat each other with tolerance and respect. 

At the end of the talk, Chloe answered questions from members and also asked us some challenging questions. For instance, we were challenged by her to reflect on how we, as imaginary citizens of interwar Germany, would have acted in response to the rise of Nazism. Of course, we all like to think that we would have opposed the regime and made a stand - but, in the actuality, would we? Hand on heart, no-one can answer this with any certainty of course. However, what we can do is to take the time to learn about these tragic events and to connect empathically and challenge the prejudice and stereotypes that continue to portray whole groups of people as 'outsiders'/'aliens'/'other'. 

I really admire Chloe and the excellent work of the LFA programme. The Norwich Community History Club are committed to, "be(ing) actively inclusive - open, accessible and welcoming to all", and having Chloe share her experiences with us entirely satisfies this commitment to diversity and tolerance. 

~ Colin Howey ~ 

Keeping Fit in the Middle Ages

11th March 2014: We were delighted to welcome back Professor Carole Rawcliffe to the History Club. Carole chose a typically intriguing title to her talk, 'Keeping Fit in the Middle Ages'. In a fascinating exploration of the health culture of the medieval period one point that came across loud and clear was that, even if their thinking wasn't based on a scientific methodology, there was a very sophisticated culture concerning the maintenance of physical health and fitness. 

Professor Rawcliffe has an amazing combination of rigorous scholarship and engaging communication skills, and it is always an absolute pleasure and privilege to hear her speak. As ever, our members were enthusiastic and appreciative of her expertise and asked lots of pertinent questions at the end of the presentation. 

We really are grateful to Carole and to the UEA for engaging with members of the local community in this way. 

Thanks!

An Amazing Insight into the History of the Royal Norfolk Regiment

One of the many benefits of being a Norwich Community History Club member comes from our excellent relationship with the Norfolk Museum Service. This was in evidence once again during a recent visit to Norwich Castle Museum when we were given expert insight into the history of the Royal Norfolk Regiment by curator, Kate Thaxton and WW1 Centenary Trainee, Rachel Willis. 

Curator, Kate Thaxton, talking to some of the club members 

Dividing the group in half, Kate led a fascinating tour of the newly displayed galleries located in the Castle Museum rotunda gallery. Members felt a real sense of privilege to listen to her talking about the regiment's history with such eloquence and authority. Kate also explained the thinking behind the re-display, explaining that it was focused on the stories of people associated with the regiment. 

Rachel Willis sharing regimental archival material with club
members

In the meantime, Rachel took people to the Shirehall Study room - an adventure in itself, for those who had never been behind the scenes and walked through the modern tunnel linking museum to Shirehall. Once settled into the room, members were fascinated to look at archival material connected with the Royal Norfolk Regiment. One of the many things that caught my eye and imagination was the list of ailments from the Norfolk Regiment's Casualty Book (excerpt pictured below).

The Dohbi Itch is just one of an amazing list of potential conditions a soldier might experience.

On behalf of all of the History Club members I would like to thank Kate and Rachel for their warm welcome and fascinating insight into the life of the regiment. This is especially appreciated as they responded at very late notice to a request from us to do this visit. Thanks!

Norfolk in World War Two Spring Events

Please click on image in order to enlarge

Norfolk Record Office Events

Norfolk Record Office has recently confirmed two new series of events, one at Norfolk Record Office: The Archive Centre (on Martineau Lane) and the other at Norfolk Record Office: Norfolk Heritage Centre (inside the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library).

Lunch-time talks

At Norfolk Record Office: The Archive Centre, we present four fascinating lunch-time lectures in partnership with the UEA School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing. The talks encompass the requisition of five Norfolk villages in 1942, autobiographer Margery Kempe, using archives to ‘create fiction from fact’ and looking at how our 17^th century counterparts understood heritage.

More details here:

Lunch-time Lecture April and May

Behind-the-scenes tour

There will also be the opportunity to see behind-the-scenes on a very special tour opportunity in association with Norfolk’s Great Big Read. Find out more about us, experience the conditions in our strongrooms, find out how our conservators care for our books, and see some original manuscripts first-hand. Book online at Eventbrite: Behind-The-Scenes tour or call 01603 222599.

Heritage Hours

At Norfolk Record Office: Norfolk Heritage Centre, we can now reveal the April to June Heritage Hour programme which includes research clinics as well as talks on various topics, from workhouses to Robert Toppes, medieval mercer of Dragon Hall.

Further details here:

Heritage Hours April to June

All of these events are free, and no booking is necessary except for the tour.

Open Evening

Finally, we are pleased to announce that we will be hosting an Open Evening from 4-5:30pm on Thursday, 3 April – all are welcome for a look around and to ask questions about who we are, what we do, and how we can help you. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided!

* Our thanks go to Elizabeth Budd, acting Archive & Education Outreach Officer, for providing us with this information. 

Expert Insight into The Roman Empire Exhibition

Artefacts on display as part of the amazing Romans exhibition
(All images taken with permission of Norfolk Museum Service)

Jon Maxwell

Dr. John Davies

On Tuesday 4th March, Norwich Community History Club members were privileged to have a visit to the fabulous Roman Empire Exhibition, led by Dr. John Davies (Chief Curator of Norwich Castle Museum) and Jon Maxwell, Head of the Norfolk Museums Service display team. 

It was a real privilege to have such expert insight into an exhibition such as this - the largest ever UK exhibition of Roman artefacts on loan from the British Museum. Dr. Davies began by talking to the whole group and setting the exhibition in its historical and archaeological context. Among other things, he explained how the Roman Empire was, "successful in uniting people from a variety of cultures in a unique way." 

This excellent introduction was then followed by him leading groups around the exhibition itself. Meanwhile, Jon Maxwell explained the complex coordination, teamwork and negotiation involved in putting an exhibition like this together. Talking to club members afterwards, we were all amazed at how much work, thought and skill goes into what is, after all, a temporary exhibition (finishing on April 27th). 

As one of our members said in their feedback following the visit...
"The exhibition really exceeded my expectations. I would like to go back there by myself."

I would agree that it really is worth visiting and if you haven't done so already, go and see it for yourself (details can be viewed via the live link in the first paragraph of this article). 

Our thanks go to the Norwich Castle Museum Education Team for enabling our visit in the first instance, and, of course, to the two Jo(h)ns for making it such a special experience. Thanks!

~ Colin Howey ~