Diss Museum celebrates 50th season with annual parade

There was dancing in the streets as an annual parade celebrated the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Organised by Diss Museum to mark its opening for another season, returning troops and members of the Women’s Land Army were all represented in last Saturday’s showcase.

Museum personnel were joined by members of Gislingham Variety Club, Palgrave Players and members of the public in a procession from Mere’s Mouth to the Market Place.

Basil Abbott, the museum’s manager who was dressed as a spiv, trying to sell black market goods, said: “Our colourful opening events have become a tradition in Diss; and this one was as good as ever.”

After the parade reached the Market Place museum, variety club members entertained the crowd with songs from both world wars.

As the museum is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, one of the site’s first curators, Tim Holt-Wilson, made a speech and cut the ceremonial ribbon.

He paid tribute to the many people that had served the museum over the years, including former local headteacher Rosemary Palmer, who died recently.

To celebrate its 50th milestone, the museum will feature a fresh set of exhibitions this year.

This includes Diss In Our Time which draws on the work of three local men – Neville Brundell, Mike Webb and Mr Abbott – who have depicted the town in different media.

A former mayor, Mr Neville served the town in many ways, including map making and compiling a collection of scrapbooks.

Mr Webb’s cartoons delighted the townspeople for more than 50 years, while museum manager Mr Abbott has led numerous cultural projects.

Other exhibitions include a retrospective of the 2004 Skelton Festival, the Lost Art of Handwriting and a diorama of the Market Place by the late Maurice Brocklehurst.

The museum is open every day except Sundays, from 11am to 3.00pm, with free admission.

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