Dereham Area History

This group is here for members to share images that show aspects of the history of Dereham, a market town in mid Norfolk, UK and the villages within 5 miles of the Town. Photographs, Videos, drawings and prints are all welcome. Anything connected with Dereham's history can be posted in the group pool, architecture, objects, family photos, finds, postcards etc.



Bishop Bonner's Cottage, now the town museum

If you want to join a group of like minded people and find out more about Dereham's history you could join the Dereham Antiquarian Society www.derehamhistory.com/index.html
The archives and collections of the Dereham Antiquarian Society and the Bishop Bonner's Cottage Museum are an important resource for the study of local history. Material has been collected from the Dereham area since 1953 when the Society was founded. Displays of items from the collection can be seen in Bishop Bonner’s Cottage Museum.

Dereham Antiquarian Society Membership Benefits

Free entry to Bishop Bonner's Cottage Museum. This delightful cottage, dating from 1502 is the oldest domestic building in the market town of Dereham. It houses displays of Dereham's local history and the archaeology of the surrounding area. The Museum was founded, and is still run, by volunteer members of the Dereham Antiquarian Society.

During the summer months, day and evening visits are arranged on Wednesdays to places of historical interest in East Anglia and nationally. There is a charge to cover coach transport and entry fees where applicable.

Meetings and talks, which include a programme of visiting speakers, are held in winter on Wednesday nights at the Trinity Methodist Schoolroom, Theatre Street. Dereham at 7.30pm.

Newsletter with articles on local history in the Dereham area and Norfolk.

New members always welcome

Click on this www.derehamhistory.com/Form.html for membership form and information.

Programme 2008-2009

Indoor meetings are £1 for members
non-member may attend for £2 per talk.

Wednesday Talk, 12th November, 2008
Bletchley Park and its Communications
Speaker: Gwendoline Page (Ex- Com.Officer)

Wednesday Illus.Talk, 10th December, 2008
Antarctica (plus Penguins)
Speaker: Gill Page

Wednesday Illus Talk, 14th January, 2009
The History of Aviation in Norfolk
Speaker: Steve Pope

Wednesday 11th February, 2009
Annual General Meeting - 7.30pm

The Society incorporates the Cowper Society of Dereham. There is traditionally a William Cowper evening, around the anniversary of the poet’s death on 25th April 1800. Flowers are laid on his tomb in Dereham Church.


Engraving of William Cowper, by William Blake

The Arcadian Club is another specialist group within the Society. It studies the life and works of the local antiquarian Dr. Augustus Jessopp. He was the rector of Scarning for 30 years until 1902.


Dr Augustus Jessopp