On the road in September

The museum took to the road twice in September.On September 17th our Captain Mainwaring (Mick Whitman) and Pike (Saxon) were invited along to open Drinkstone Village Fete.The Captain was driven into the main arena in a lovely Rolls Royce (Captain’s car ?).

On September 17th and 18th the museum was invited along to the Poppy Line to take part in there wonderful 1940’s event.

Winter break

The museum will close for it’s winter break on Saturday December 3rd at 2pm.We will reopen in April 2012.

If you are planning to come to our last opening you could combine your visit to the museum to a visit to the Xmas Fair and Fun Day being held by the Thetford Players drama group.The event will take place in the Carnegie Rooms,next door to the museum from 10am until 3pm.

Book signing

We are pleased to announce a book signing of 'The Real Dad’s Army,the war diaries of Lt.Col. Rodney Foster ' at the museum on Saturday November 5th from 10am until 2pm.

Come along and meet Shaun Sewell and Ronnie Scott for a chat and the chance to purchase a signed copy of the book.

Book of condolence.

The museum team has placed a book of condolence in the museum for anyone who would like to express their thoughts about David Croft OBE.If you cannot get to the museum please send your comments to us and we will put them in the book for you.Please email us or use the comments form on the contact link.

David Croft R.I.P.

We are very, very sad that David Croft is no longer with us. A lovely man, who we were honoured to know and count as one of our friends. We are all in shock at the news as we know you will be too - our thoughts are with David's family and friends.

David Croft chatting to Bill Pertwee at the statue unveiling on June 19th 2010.

Gressenhall–Village at War

Once again the museum attended to wonderful Village at War event at Gressenhall over the August Bank Holiday.A great time was had by all and we met many old friends and made lots of new ones.The weekend finished with a fly past by the Battle of Britain flight.

Heritage Day

The Dad’s Army Museum were pleased to join with the Charles Burrell Museum and the Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life and take part in the National Heritage Weekend.We were delighted to welcome 250 visitors who witnessed the arrival of the Captain’s new fire fighting equipment and some wartime style singing.

Heritage Day 2011

Thetford Festival 2011

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.

Coming soon !

We will be posting pictures from Thetford Festival,Heritage Day and The village at War at Gresenhall on this site very soon.We will also post some new video.Check back here soon.

Hi-de-Hi!
 
Jo and Tony Tarran have announced Back To Maplin's 2011, a Hi-de-Hi! themed event following on from their highly acclaimed events in 2007 and 2009.      Once again the focal point will be the Cliff Hotel in Dovercourt where the series was filmed and will take place over the weekend of Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th October.  Tickets for the weekend activities will cost £ 34.50 each.
Saturday will start with a Vintage Bus Tour of locations in the morning followed by an afternoon with cream tea refreshments at the Electric Palace Cinema - seen in the show in the series 8 episode "Only The Brave" - watching Hi-de-Hi! on the big screen plus some rare clips!
Sunday sees a two course carvery lunch in the ‘Hawaiian Ballroom’ at the Cliff Hotel with entertainment, Maplins fun and a host of special guests joining us.
Previous guests have included David Croft, Jimmy Perry, Jeffrey Holland, Ruth Madoc, Su Pollard, Paul Shane, Barry Howard and many others.
Payment can be made by CHEQUE ONLY to "A. Tarran" and sent to:
Hi-de-Hi Event, 32 Beach Road, Dovercourt, Harwich, Essex,       C012 3RP

Visitors from Saham Toney

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.

Heritage Saturday,September 10th 2011

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.

Visitors from Reading

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

Location Mini Tours

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

Weeting Steam Rally

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.

The Captain on patrol.

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 !

Special edition t shirt

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.

On duty at the garden centre.

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.

Tuesdays in July & August

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).

Thetford Open Gardens

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.