The museum was pleased to open on Tuesday August 30th as part of the 2011 Thetford Festival.During the day we took visitors to the museum on mini location tours,showing them some of the Thetford town centre locations used during filming.We were pleased to welcome some special visitors in uniform and some vehicles.Over the day we had just over 200 visitors.
Earlier in the year the museum team went off to Saham Toney WI to show our museum presentation.They must have enjoyed it as they decided to come along and have a look at our museum on August 10th.The museum is willing to open for private visits and able to go ‘on the road’ to give presentations.Please contact the museum for further information.
The Dad’s Army Museum will be open on Saturday September 10th from 10am until 4pm as part of the Heritage Open Days,our friends at the Charles Burrell Museum will also be open.Why not come along to Thetford and visit the two museums and while you are here pop along to the Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life.
We have had visitors to the Thetford locations trail from all over the UK,this group came on August 8th from Reading,Berkshire.
The next ‘public’ locations tours are on September 18th and October 16th.More information at http://www.dadsarmythetford.org.uk/tour.htm
As part of the 2011 Thetford Festival we have organised some location mini tours on Tuesday August 30th.Just turn up at the museum anytime from 10am until 2pm and our tour guides will take you on a short walk around some of the Thetford town centre locations used during the filming of the TV series.There is no charge for these tours but we are asking for a £2 donation for museum funds.For further information please email us at dadsarmythetford@googlemail.com ,telephone 01842 751975 or call in at the Tourist Information Office at Leaping Hare,Belmont House,20 King Street,Thetford,IP24 2AP.You can get further information on the 2011 Thetford Festival from here as well.
Download a copy of the 2011 Festival Brochure from here
Or should we say Weeting on Sea Steam Rally.The Friday (July 15th) of the 3 day event was warm and sunny,the Saturday & Sunday were just a little damp ! Despite this we had a great time and spoke to lots of people about the work done at the museum.We were joined at this event by our friends at the Charles Burrell Museum.
The last photograph was of a stunt rider during his show in the pouring rain.
Our Captain Mainwaring (Mick Whitman) was out on patrol again.This time he was at Ford Place retirement home on Friday July 15th as part of their Best of Britain day.He chatted with residents from the home before catching the bus home !
You may remember that we had some special edition t shirts made to mark the unveiling of the statue of Captain Mainwaring.We have just a few left,in small and large size at just £16 including UK postage.
Pop along to the shop and have a look at this item and the other items we have on sale.
The captain (Mick Whitman) was on duty on June 24th,this time at an open evening hosted by Thetford Garden Centre.Lots of friendly banter telling everyone about the work of the museum.
The museum is very pleased to announce that we will be also be open on Tuesdays in July & August at the usual time 10am until 2pm.Due to volunteer numbers it may not be possible to open the tearooms on Tuesdays.If you are travelling a long distance we would advise that you call the museum first to check that we are open (01842 751975).
Sunday June 26th is open gardens day in Thetford.There will be lots of gardens open,all raising money for charity.The museum will be open from 10am until 2pm.For more details about the open gardens please call 01842 751975.
Today was the first anniversary of the unveiling of the statue of Captain Mainwaring.We marked the day with a public tour of the Thetford locations.
The museum was very pleased to be invited along to the ‘Best of British Day’ at Laburnum Grove on Wednesday June 8th.Laburnum Grove is a sheltered living accommodation centre and a special day to show the best of British was staged for residents and guests, including the mayor and deputy mayor of Thetford.Our Captain Mainwaring (Mick Whitman) had a great time chatting and having his photograph taken.
The annual general meeting of the Friends of Dad’s Army Museum Thetford will take place at the museum on Wednesday June 29th from 6pm..All members of ‘The Friends’ are welcome to attend but we ask that if you are attending that you email us to let us know.
On next walking tour of the Thetford locations will be held on June 19th.It would make a great Father’s Day present.We can also supply vouchers for tours later in the year.There is more information on the tours page (see link on the menu bar).
Comics taking part in the Leaping Hare Comedy Club next door at the Carnegie Rooms on Friday (May 13th) asked if they could pop in and have a
a look around.We were only too pleased to agree.
The Marigold Tea Rooms are now open.We had a great day at the museum and were pleased to welcome nearly 500 visitors including Bill Pertwee,David Croft,Frank Williams,Harold Snoad,Ronnie Granger and the mayor of Thetford Councillor Pauline Quadling.More pictures here.
It is always nice to receive feedback from visitors to the museum and people on the walking tours via the guest book or by email.This is an email sent to us after the public tour on April 17th.
I booked the Dads Army Guided Tour as a gift to my Partner for Valentines Day this year, and this weekend, finally, our "Dads Army Weekend" was here - a stay at The Bell, and the tour on Sunday (17th).
I am writing to you as I would be so grateful if you could pass on our thanks to all your volunteers who make the tour such a lovely experience, we enjoyed the whole occasion so very much. Our guides were friendly, knowledgeable and interesting, they took care of us and no question was too much trouble at all - you can tell that they really care about what they are doing.
I am 36, and my partner is 33, we grew up watching Dads Army with our own Dads, and we watch every Saturday now, this weekend (especially with the stay at The Bell too) is one of the nicest experiences we have had, we both agreed.
Please keep up the good work, don't let people forget the history of your lovely town.
All the very best.
To read some more feedback click here.
Also on April 17th we were very pleased to welcome members of the Hiskey family.Amongst them was Bill who came on the tour as a birthday present from his family,a 90th birthday present ! After the tour to mark this special day we gave Bill a Steve Lillart card of the cast.
The museum is pleased to announce that we will be open from 10am until 4.30pm on May 7th.We are hoping that the first phase of the Marigold Tea Rooms project will be ready.On the day we will be joined by our patron Bill Pertwee who will be at the museum for a book signing at approx. 12 am and 3pm.We are also hopeful that Frank Williams will pop in and join us for a cup ‘o’ char and a slice of cake.Please come along and join in the fun.
It was Croft weather in Thetford this Sunday as the Skoda Club came to the museum and went on the Thetford location tour.46 people had a good time with great weather.If you are interested in a tour please contact the museum.
The museum will be open again from this Saturday from 10am until 2pm,we look to seeing you all over the season.
The film was of course not shot in Thetford but is very popular.The museum team travelled to Wymondham in Norfolk to see the film being shown in the wonderful setting of the former Regal cinema.It was a very busy afternoon and we told lots of people about the museum.Special guest of Honour was Frank Williams,who played the vicar in both the TV series and film.He gave a great interviews,telling the audience about his acting career.The afternoon also included the showing of the Green Cross information film made the cast,some home footage of the show on location and some old wartime information films.
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