The archives and collections of the Dereham Antiquarian Society 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.
Membership Benefits
Free entry to Bishop Bonner's Cottage Museum.
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 text for a membership form and information.
Programme 2008-2009
Indoor meetings are £1 for members
non-member may attend for £2 per talk.
Wednesday Talk, 12th March, 2008
History of the Herring Fishing Industry
Speaker: Simon Partridge
Wednesday Illus Talk, 9th April, 2008
The Story of Lincoln Cathedral
Speaker: Peter Bradbury
Saturday Talk, 26th April, 2008
The Clothes of Dr. Jessop's Parishioners
Speaker: Jean Smith
Venue: Scarning Village Hall - 2.30pm
Wednesday Talk, 30th April, 2008
The Annual Cowper Evening
Speaker: Rev. Jonathan Boston
Wednesday Outing, 14th May, 2008
Ipswich
Wednesday Outing, 11th June, 2008
Lincoln
Wednesday Outing, 9th July, 2008
St. Ives and Hemingford Grey - Cambs.
Wednesday Outing, 13th August, 2008
Boston - Lincs.
Wednesday Outing, 10th September, 2008
Eltham Palace - South London
Wednesday 8th October, 2008
The Annual Dinner
Venue: King's Head, North Elmham - 7.30pm
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
Membership Benefits
Free entry to Bishop Bonner's Cottage Museum.
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 text for a membership form and information.
Programme 2008-2009
Indoor meetings are £1 for members
non-member may attend for £2 per talk.
Wednesday Talk, 12th March, 2008
History of the Herring Fishing Industry
Speaker: Simon Partridge
Wednesday Illus Talk, 9th April, 2008
The Story of Lincoln Cathedral
Speaker: Peter Bradbury
Saturday Talk, 26th April, 2008
The Clothes of Dr. Jessop's Parishioners
Speaker: Jean Smith
Venue: Scarning Village Hall - 2.30pm
Wednesday Talk, 30th April, 2008
The Annual Cowper Evening
Speaker: Rev. Jonathan Boston
Wednesday Outing, 14th May, 2008
Ipswich
Wednesday Outing, 11th June, 2008
Lincoln
Wednesday Outing, 9th July, 2008
St. Ives and Hemingford Grey - Cambs.
Wednesday Outing, 13th August, 2008
Boston - Lincs.
Wednesday Outing, 10th September, 2008
Eltham Palace - South London
Wednesday 8th October, 2008
The Annual Dinner
Venue: King's Head, North Elmham - 7.30pm
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
