Diss Museum celebrates 50 years

Businesses, traders and residents braved wind and rain to help Diss Museum celebrate its 50th birthday last week.

On Friday, the Market Place site held a party, with guests treated to homemade cakes, Prosecco and 1970s tunes played by Park Radio and Buygone Records.

Diss Museum officially opened its doors on October 7, 1975 but its start came much earlier.

In 1959, a local, George Moss. left £1,000 in his Will to build a museum – about £30,000 in today’s money.

Eventually, The Diss Express got involved and paid for the building to be refurbished.

It also supplied a receptionist, Angie Tooth, who was guest of honour at the party.

Angie, who now lives in North Norfolk, said: “I loved working in the museum and I was fascinated by the exhibits.

“Coming back brought many happy memories.

“The museum opened on my 21st birthday which made it particularly memorable.”

The museum started out as a single room in The Shambles – an old butchers – before expanding into the neighbouring florists’ in 1995.

Tony Hulse, chairman of trustees, thanked sponsors for their support.

Sponsors included Adkins Opticians, Beckford and Lewis, Aldi, Beckford and Lewis, Diss Food and Wine, Fredrick’s Fine Foods, Morrisons, Moulton Windows and Rosedale Funeral Home