A Stroll around Diss
March-October, £5 per person (accompanied children under 12 free)
Stroll time: approx. 1.5 hours, start and finish at the Museum
Introducing you to our lovely market town – not just a guided tour! Learn about some of the old buildings, the town’s history, some of its famous people and a lot of interesting things about Diss.
Remember… we put the ROLL into the STROLL for those who rely upon wheels to get around!
View the event poster
Programme of speakers
Every third Friday, Friends of the Museum can enjoy a lecture from a different speaker.
2019’s events will be available shortly.
The Shambles - When the Museum building was a butcher's shop
Amongst items on display are the large weighing scales, a frightningly heavy meat cleaver, a bloodied apron, photographs and three 'frails'. Frail was the name given to the rushwork bags that Mr. Anness the butcher provided for carrying meat home. An indication of their age is shown by the printed telephone number on the bag - Diss 105.
Audio-visual
Since last November we have had A/V in the Shambles to demonstrate DVDs on sale in the shop. The facility has also been used to show the Tristram Cary Story and is currently being used to display the story of the Diss Dig.
Permanent Exhibitions
Always on display are the Manning family dolls' house and information about local personalities like Tudor poet-laureate and Diss rector, John Skelton, and Victorian photographer, Cleer Alger.
Temporary Exhibitions
Details of our temporary exhibitions for 2019.
Major exhibition - centenary of the R34 Airbus
The main exhibition commemorates the R34 airship centenary. In July 1919 the dirigible flew from Scotland to Long Island and back to Pulham. Museums around the world are joining Diss in celebrating this aviation feat. Local schools, art, textile and modelling groups have contributed to the display, with interactive work by the University of Suffolk students. There will be events on the centenary weekend, 13th/14th July.
From over 60 new acquisitions in 2018 a selection will be on show, including:
WW1 needlepoint cushion cover made by Mr W Flatman of Brockdish
Box Brownie camera
Four hand-made wooden jigsaws with illustrations by H. St. Winslade
School badges from The Entry House School, Diss
Aldrich family photographs and letter
Working the land by hand
Following the exhibition at Diss Corn Hall, from January 16th to February 23rd, many of the items will be on show for the rest of the season in the Museum.
The Cuthbert Stores
The 1960 Christmas Price List from Cuthbert’s wines and spirits shop in Mere Street was a new acquisition in 2108 and a display is being created of what was on offer – at original seasonal 1960 prices.
Aldrich Bros. Brush Factory
Showcasing the family business along with items used and made at the factory.
Community Cabinet
The first display (March to May) will show examples of hand embroidered replica scenes from the Bayeux Tapestry. This will be followed by a glimpse into a lifetime of buying from local auctions and sales – a miscellany of weird, wonderful and everyday objects. Later in the year it will host a cabinet of curiosities – mystery objects to set you thinking.
There could be an opportunity for one further display – get in touch to book a slot!
News
Please click on a link below to read more.
Read about Del Firman’s lively rendition of music hall songs
Read about Diss Museum’s 2018 season in Diss Matters magazine
Your museum needs YOU! Call for volunteers
Diss Museum Manager Basil Abbott helps author with research
Thomas Manning archive discovered
Pocket watch commemorating the brave deed of a Diss man has been found in Australia
 "Burston School strike-a")
In a few weeks’ time there will be on sale a large number of donated CDs and box sets covering a wide range of jazz to coincide with the Corn Hall’s jazz evening tribute to Stan Getz with the Chris ingham Quartet on 4 April.
The wide range of CDs should encourage ‘new’ entrants into the jazz world with works by Basie, Ellington, Getz, Zoot Simms, Gerry Mulligan, Tristano, Kenton, Cab Calloway, Coltrane, Dizzy, Bird, Lester, Bean, Mose Alison, Tubby Hayes, Monk and many more.
A price list will be available at the museum.
Sales of World War II books/Jazz CDs
In conjunction with the Grand Opening of the Museum by Wing Commander Richard Youngs on March 9th, the museum is displaying for sale, a donation comprising a range of over 30 books dealing with World War II and the history leading up to it.
Some of the books are quite rare, such as Failure of a Mission by Sir Neville Henderson, the ambassador to the Nazi government from 1937-1940, Lease-lend by Stettinius, the man Roosevelt appointed to run it, The war that Hitler won about Nazi propaganda before and during the war and many others, including books about The fall of France, Stalingrad, Leningrad, Midway, Stalin and his generals and the Goebbels diaries. The books are now on sale.
The Burston School Strike
The longest school strike in English history.
Friday 15 March, 7.30pm
St Mary’s Church, Mount Street, Diss, IP22 4QQ
Members £3
Non-members £5
Pay on the door
All welcome
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