Several members of the museum team were able to travel to London to attend the service.This is a report by a member of the museum team.
On a warm sunny day (Thursday 15th March) we gathered on the steps of St Martin in the Fields
Church. So many familiar faces were around us. so many well-loved characters represented there.
At 11.00pm the door were opened and we were admitted to find our reserved seats. We were very
fortunate in having places in the Gallery which gave us a grandstand view of the proceedings.
The service of Celebration for the life of David Croft was just that. Some glorious hymns —
Onward Christian Soldiers and I Vow to thee my Country amongst them and tributes from Jimmy
Perry. Jeremy Lloyd and Mark Thompson (DG of the BBC) were by turns funny, evocative and
achingly sad.
The music was led by the Choir and by Rick Wakeman with tributes sung by Sandra Browne Hart
(Dido's Lament) and Su Pollard (Follow your Heart).
Ian Lavender read The Last Word". the final paragraph of David's autobiography You Have Been
Watching, a moment's silence held and then the whole congregation burst into spontaneous
applause which seemed to last for ever.
The band (Premier Brass) played the recessional music. The Dad's Army Theme followed by The
British Grenadiers.
We took our leave, feeling by turns sad and uplifted but most of all glad to have been present and
honoured to have known such an outstandingly talented and charming man.
Sunday, 25 March 2012
Monday, 12 March 2012
Museum re opens
We are pleased to confirm that the museum will reopen on April 7th at 10am.We are expecting the 20000th visitor to the museum on this day,it could be you !
Mini Mainwarings
Our limited edition Mini Mainwarings are looking just fabulous! These very special little men are all cast individually by sculptor Sean Hedges-Quinn from his original maquette in cold cast resin. Numbers are limited to 80, one for each episode made - which one is your favourite? Each statue comes in it's own stunning box, held safely within museum grade foam. To secure your statue (and maybe your favourite episode?) please contact Corinne Fulford on info@dadsarmythetford.org.uk or 07802 701911. You will need to place a deposit of £75 - total price is £450. You can pay in full or by instalments - whatever suits you best.
Monday, 5 March 2012
Philip Madoc
We were all saddened to hear the new that Philip Madoc passed away today (March 5th).To read the story of this great actor please follow this link to the BBC news story.
The museum was delighted that Philip was able to attend the unveiling of the Captain Mainwaring statue on June 19th 2010.The picture below was taken the day after as members of the cast were getting reading to travel to Bressingham for Croft & Perry Day.Our thoughts are with his family & friends.We will all remember with great laughter his role as the U boat captain in the classic episode,The Deadly Attachment.
Saturday, 11 February 2012
Service of Celebration for the Life of David Croft OBE
There will be a Service of Celebration for the Life of David Croft OBE that will be held at 11.30am on Thursday 15th March 2012 at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JJ. All are welcome BUT admission will be by ticket only.Please contact the museum for further details.
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Saturday Kitchen
Hope you didn't forget to tune into Saturday Kitchen last Saturday (Jan 28th) on BBC1.The wine recommendation bit was filmed on location in Thetford by Cactus Television. It featured the statue of Captain Mainwaring and a shot of the museum sign.If you did miss it you might find in on the iPlayer.
Andy, Suzie, Claire, 'The Captain' and Mike.
Saturday, 14 January 2012
Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Calling all our re-enactor/vintage/theatre friends – We have been approached by the Guildhall School of Music and Drama based in Moorgate, London. They are producing a production of Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream which is going to be performed at the Barbican Centre’s Main Theatre which is a great opportunity for those involved and indeed Guildhall. The design for the production is based around the 1940’s with some of the action set in a 1940’s hospital. For this production we are in need of some props that you might be able to help us with, these are as follows :
16 X Identical Chairs – Church/Village Hall/ Chapel Chairs
4 x Sunglasses – 2 x Male, 2 X Female
Surgical Instruments
Surgical Trolley
Surgical Folding Screen
Surgical Drip
Hypodermic Needles – Possibly Glass or Metal, large.
Hospital Washbasin – With wheels.
Air Raid Patrol Lamp
Military Milk Float – They need an electric vehicle that is able to take singers on the back of the float/truck and be driven onstage. Ideally this should resemble a 1940’s Bedford Flatbed truck but due to stage weight restrictions it has to be under 3.5tonnes hence the idea of a Military looking Milk Float.
The dates they would need to borrow the items from would be : Friday 10th February to Wednesday 7th March.
If you can help, please get in touch.Call our museum manager,Corinne Fulford,on 07802 701911.
You can email us at dadsarmythetford@googlemail.com or you can complete the contact form at http://www.dadsarmythetford.org.uk/contact.htm
Sunday, 8 January 2012
News pages
The museum is now starting it’s 5th year and it is quite amazing just what we have got up to.This page will show you all our recent activity.If you go to our archive new page you can see what we have been up to since 2007.
Tuesday, 27 December 2011
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Merchandise still on sale
Although the Museum is now closed for the Winter break, all our merchandise is available on line. Our web shop is currently showing a very small part of our range so if you have seen something when you visited please contact us, we will be happy to help you.
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Walking location tours 2012
Details of the 2012 walking tours of the Thetford locations have just been published on the book a tour page.
Why not buy a walking tour gift voucher as a Christmas present,details on this page also.
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Fireworks 2011
The museum was once again able to join our friends from the Charles Burrell Museum and attend the 2011 fireworks event on November 6th.Our friends from the Charles Burrell Museum came along with their wonderful steam engine,The Queen Mary.Our photographs show our Captain Mainwaring (Mick Whitman) and Pike (Saxon) meeting some unusual friends.Not to be out down our museum manager (Corinne) showed off some new designer head gear.
Book signing
Shaun Sewell and Ronnie Scott were at the museum on November 5th signing copies of their book `The Real Dad’s Army`.A large number of people came to visit and have their books signed including cricket journalist,Henry Blofield who was giving a lecture next door.
Sunday, 23 October 2011
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.
Saturday, 22 October 2011
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.
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
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.
Sunday, 2 October 2011
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.
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
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.
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