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 2011-2012
Indoor meetings are £1 for members
non-member may attend for £2 per talk.
Wednesday Talk, 9th March 2011
"The History of Dragon Hall"
Speaker: Malcolm Ireson
Wednesday Illus. Talk, 13th April 2011
"Norfolk As I See It - Vol. 3"
Speaker: Peter Bradbury
The Annual Cowper Talk by Rev. Jonathan Boston T B A.
Wednesday Outing, 11th May 2011
A Museum and British Trust for Ornithology at Thetford.
Wednesday Outing, 8th June 2011
Museum of Rural Life at Stowmarket.
Wednesday Outing, 13th July 2011
Barnsdale Gardens, near Stamford & Rutland Water.
Wednesday Outing,10th August 2011
Shaw's Corner (The home of George Bernard Shaw)
Near Welwyn Garden City Herts.
Wednesday Outing, 14th September 2011
The Shuttleworth Collection
Bedfordshire.
Wednesday 12th October 2011
The Annual Society Dinner.
Wednesday Talk, 9th November 2011
"Balloons and Airships"
Speaker: Malcolm Cooper
Wednesday Talk, 14th December 2011
" A Jolly Afternoon"
Commencing 2.30pm.
Wednesday Talk, 11th January 2012
"Memories of Le Paradis"
Speaker: Denis O'Callaghan.
Wednesday 8th February 2012
The Annual General Meeting
You can download a program from here
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 2011-2012
Indoor meetings are £1 for members
non-member may attend for £2 per talk.
Wednesday Talk, 9th March 2011
"The History of Dragon Hall"
Speaker: Malcolm Ireson
Wednesday Illus. Talk, 13th April 2011
"Norfolk As I See It - Vol. 3"
Speaker: Peter Bradbury
The Annual Cowper Talk by Rev. Jonathan Boston T B A.
Wednesday Outing, 11th May 2011
A Museum and British Trust for Ornithology at Thetford.
Wednesday Outing, 8th June 2011
Museum of Rural Life at Stowmarket.
Wednesday Outing, 13th July 2011
Barnsdale Gardens, near Stamford & Rutland Water.
Wednesday Outing,10th August 2011
Shaw's Corner (The home of George Bernard Shaw)
Near Welwyn Garden City Herts.
Wednesday Outing, 14th September 2011
The Shuttleworth Collection
Bedfordshire.
Wednesday 12th October 2011
The Annual Society Dinner.
Wednesday Talk, 9th November 2011
"Balloons and Airships"
Speaker: Malcolm Cooper
Wednesday Talk, 14th December 2011
" A Jolly Afternoon"
Commencing 2.30pm.
Wednesday Talk, 11th January 2012
"Memories of Le Paradis"
Speaker: Denis O'Callaghan.
Wednesday 8th February 2012
The Annual General Meeting
You can download a program from here
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
