19th October 2026
Diss Museum has secures £1,000 Grant for Year of the Normans Celebrations
We have been awarded a £1,000 Love Your Market Town grant to help fund events and an exhibition celebrating 2027 as the Year of the Normans.
Plans include an opening parade featuring Saxon and Norman re-enactors, period entertainment in Diss Market Place, and an exhibition exploring the Norman Conquest of 1066 and its connections with Diss and the surrounding area.
The grant will contribute towards the cost of bringing two re-enactment groups to Diss to represent the opposing Saxon and Norman sides, as well as supporting the exhibition.
Many thanks to Basil Abbott for the excellent grant submission and all the work he is putting into the event for 2027. Interest in the project is already growing, with several local groups having booked a presentation about the planned celebrations.
24th September 2026
Brushes, Bobbins and Banter Event
On 12 and 13 September, Diss Museum hosted Brushes, Bobbins & Banter as part of the Heritage Open Days Festival, celebrating the everyday working lives of people from Diss and District.
Over two days, more than 185 visitors enjoyed exhibits, displays, audio histories, demonstrations and talks exploring Diss’s industrial heritage, with a particular focus on the Aldrich Brush Factory and Diss Lace Association.
Highlights included Norfolk lacemaker’s demonstrations, Ken Doughty’s fascinating talk on brush making, previously unseen Diss Lace artefacts and our popular pop-up café.
Visitors, including many making their first visit to the museum, were enthusiastic about the displays and all that our “little museum” has to offer.
The event also received excellent publicity with a full-page feature in the Diss Express on 17 September.
24th September 2026
What’s New on Our Website? 🎧 Explore Our New Audio Histories
Although the 2026 Heritage Open Days Festival has now come to an end, Diss Museum is continuing to celebrate the working lives of people from Diss and District through our Audio Histories.
These personal memories and recollections offer a fascinating insight into the people, occupations and experiences that have shaped our local community. From stories of working at the Aldrich Brush Factory to memories of everyday life, they provide a unique and personal connection to Diss’s past.
Listen to the stories and discover the voices of Diss.
🎧 Listen to the Audio Histories