Jones’s Van Donation

Dad's Army Museum in Jones van auction bid

Click on the pictures for more information.

Clive Dunn OBE

The museum was saddened to learn yesterday (November 7th) of the death of Clive Dunn aged 92 in Portugal.He will of course be remember for his role as Corporal Jones.Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time.His picture appears on the Thetford Dad’s Army walking trail leaflet.

You can read the story of this very funny man at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20239694

Missing from the Swallow Bank

Our Captain Mainwaring (Mick Whitman) was missing from the Swallow bank last Wednesday (October 16th).He was at Lloyds TSB in King Street Thetford to reopen their refurbished customer area.He was soon back at the Swallow Bank to keep an eye on Pike & Wilson.

Classic Visitors

On Sunday October 14th the museum was pleased to welcome the Suffolk Classic Car Club.They came to the museum is some wonderful cars and enjoyed a tour around the museum and tea in Marigolds.

Out to Lunch

On Sunday October 6th the volunteer team from the Dad’s Army museum made there way to the Six Bells at Bardwell for Sunday lunch.We all thought that it would be a nice idea to all meet up as we near the end of another busy season.The Six Bells featured in 2 episodes of Dad’s Army,Wake up Walmington and Ring Dem Bells.

Tripadvisor review

To read the full tripadvisor review click here.

Steve Lilly

Steve is the wonderful artist who has done a number of pictures for the museum including the wonderful cast drawing on display in the museum and for sale in the shop.If you can get along to this show please do.

Full details on the events page.

Jones’s Van

 

Now, we have launched our biggest ask yet – you may have read that the van is due to be sold at Bonhams auction in December. The museum is well known for its ability to work hard and raise large sums of money – after all we delivered the statue in just 2 and half years – however, 3 months may just prove a little tricky. If, like us, you believe that the van should come home to Walmington on Sea then we are going to need a very big push indeed. We are hopeful that one or maybe several generous benefactors will come forward to help us with a loan to enable us to raise enough money to buy the van. Then over the next few years, we will raise the sufficient money needed to pay the loan(s) back. As it will go to auction, the exact figure required is as yet unknown, however, it is estimated that it will sell for £20,000 - £30,000.

If you would like to help Dad’s Army Museum with their latest project, please contact Leaping Hare TIC on 01842 751975 or 07802 701911 or email info@dadsarmythetford.org.uk

Christmas cards & coasters

A small range of Christmas cards & coaster are now available from the museum shop.Why not pop in and have a look.The museum will be open every Saturday from 10am until 3pm to the beginning of December.We also hope to be open on Tuesday October 30th (Norfolk Schools half term).

Walking tour October 14th

The last walking tour of the Thetford locations for 2012 will take place on Sunday October 14th from the Captain Mainwaring statue at 11.30am.Your can book tickets here.

Village at war

Once again the museum was please to attend the Village At War event at the Gressenhall Rural Life Museum over the August Bank Holiday.

Jones’s Day pictures

Click on the picture above to see some photographs from our Jones’s van day on August 25th 2012.

The bus

The routemaster bus ready for the tour.

Jones's Van

Jones's van outside the museum.

Jones's Van Day

The Jones's Van day was a great sucess and we were pleased to welcome over 300 visitors.We also had a good first bus tour and we are looking foward to another this Saturday (September 1st).

Full report and pictures soon.

Festival events flyer

Download your copy of our festival flyer from here

Let it rain!

On Saturday afternoon it rained and rained and rained.Picture here is museum volunteer Mick Whitman keeping the rain from entering the museum with a broom.Cannot have the cakes in the Marigold tea room getting wet.Come and visit us on Tuesday until the end of September and Saturdays until December.Hopefully the sun will shine !

Busy Sunday

The museum had a busy Sunday on June 24th !

In the museum we welcomed a party of guys from Newcastle in Thetford for stag party.Chris Higgins ties the knot in October and came to the home of Dad’s Army as they are all fans of the show.After a Thetford locations tour they spent some time in the museum.

The rest of the team were attending the Desert Rats Day,a special day to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein.

As you can see our Captain Mainwaring (Mick Whitman) was told to smarten up by a much higher ranking officer !

More pictures & story to follow.

Gardener’s Question Time

What fun - here are the fab team from Gardener's Question Time,recording in Thetford last night (July 30th) listen out on the 10th and 31st August).

 

We have (picture left) Roger Route from Thetford Gardening & Allotment Club, Bob Flowerdew, presenter Eric Robson, Bunny Guiness and Chris Beardshaw.Lovely that you called in for a photo at Mainwaring's desk.

Special events

Saturday August 25th

Jones’s Van day at the museum,10am until 3pm.

Routemaster bus tour (North) leaving at 10.30 and visiting Santon Downham,Brandon & Munford.

Leaving the museum at 10.30 am at a cost of £14.95.Details and booking information here.

Saturday September 1st.

Routemaster bus tour of the locations used in filming on the southern side of Thetford including Rushdon,Bardwell,& Honington.

 

Tickets £14.95 or £25 for both tour.Details & booking information here.

For more information on the Thetford Festival please click on the logo.

Radio Norfolk Treasure Quest

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The museum was pleased to host the first clue to Radio Norfolk’s Treasure Quest last Sunday (July 15th).Pictured in the Vicar’s office is the lovely Becky Betts.

Rate my sausage

For a review of the Walmington banger click on the image.

Busy Sunday

The museum had a busy Sunday on April 24th !

In the museum we welcomed a party of guys from Newcastle in Thetford for stag party.Chris Higgins ties the knot in October and came to the home of Dad’s Army as they are all fans of the show.After a Thetford locations tour they spent some time in the museum.

The rest of the team were attending the Desert Rats Day,a special day to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein.

As you can see our Captain Mainwaring (Mick Whitman) was told to smarten up by a much higher ranking officer !

More pictures & story to follow.

Open on Tuesday

The museum will be open this Tuesday from 10am until 3pm,we hope to open every Tuesday until September.If you are traveling a long way please contact the museum to confirm that we are open.We will of course be open every Saturday until early December from 10am until 3pm.

Desert Rats

Colin Bean–Wigan Man

Click on the image for more details.

Just how much is the Captain worth ?

The Captain (Mick Whitman) and Pike (Saxon) at the Antiques Road show at RAF Marham on May 23rd.The programme is due to be aired in September.

Dates for your diary

On June 28th the Friends of Dad’s Army Museum Thetford will hold it’s AGM at the museum from 6pm.All Friends are welcome but we do ask that you let us know that you will be attending.

On Saturday August 25th as part of the Thetford Festival we will be holding a Museum day.Plans are still being made and will be published later.

Suffolk Austin 7 owners

The museum was pleased to welcome some visitors to museum last Sunday (May 20th) who arrived in some wonderful transport,five lovely Austin 7 cars.On a Sunday drive they arranged with us to call in and have a cuppa at the Marigold tea room.The club was the Suffolk branch of the Essex Austin 7 owners club and they meet every month at the Greyhound in Ixworth.

Mildenhall Register

The museum was pleased to welcome 50 members of the Mildenhall Register on Saturday May 12th.The Mildenhall register is the 15,90,140 & 622 bomber squadrons Association.The members enjoyed tea & cake in Marigolds and some went on the Dad’s Army Trail.Have a look at their website to see what they do.

On the road again

The museum team was on the road again on May 8th.This time we made the short journey to Garboldisham.The team gave a presentation to the local WI group who joined in the fun by singing the Dad’s Army theme tune.Our Captain Mainwaring (Mick Whitman) was on hand to judge the flower and badge competition.He also drew the raffle.

Absent Friends episode

This Saturday (May 19th at 18.30) the BBC will be showing the Dad’s Army episode called Absent Friends.This episode was first show in October 1970 but has missing from the repeat runs due to the mention of the IRA .Following the Good Friday agreement a few years ago it seems that the BBC have decided that the time is now right to include this very funny episode in the current run of repeats.

Ixworth WI

The museum was pleased to welcome some special visitors on Monday April 23rd.Members of Ixworth WI came over to have a look at the museum and statue.While they were here they had cup of tea in the Marigold Tea Room.The museum is pleased to welcome visitors outside our normal opening times by prior arrangement,please contact us for more information at dadsarmythetford@googlemail.com or 01842 751975 .