Dad’s Army Museum & Tours

 

Background

 

The location shots of the timeless BBC comedy, Dad’s Army were filmed in and around Thetford from 1968 to 1977.  There was little to record that Thetford was Walmington-on-Sea, apart from a small plaque in the Bell Hotel foyer.  As a result of continuing interest in the programme, a Dad’s Army Trail around the Thetford locations was put together in 2004, and guided tours of the trail began in the May of that year.  (Download a copy of the trail leaflet from http://www.explorethetford.co.uk/trails.aspx)

 

Following success of these tours, in 2005 a DVD, Dad’s Army Extra Time and a photograph exhibition were produced to help market the tours and to record the memories of local people involved in the production of the series.  In 2006 an information panel was placed on the exterior of the Bell Hotel wall in King Street.  In 2007, following donations of photographs and a need to house the existing photograph exhibition, a request was made to Thetford Town Council to provide a display area.  The Town Council offered the use of the old Fire Station under the Guildhall which was felt to be very appropriate as two episodes of Dad’s Army, The Captain’s Car and Time on My Hands, featured the Guildhall building.  After some decoration and a great deal of volunteer hours putting together the exhibits, the museum was opened on 7th December 2007 by the programme’s writer and producer, David Croft.

 

 

Museum Contents

 

 

Mainwaring’s office

 

The Home Front

 

Inside the museum, ‘Mainwaring’s Office’ contains many military items and artefacts from the period.  The ‘Home Front’ area gives a feel for a typical kitchen of the time.  The Thetford Home Guard notice board lists all those who served in the Thetford Home Guard.  The ‘Cinema’ corner has the DVD Dad’s Army Extra Time to view and the original Palace Cinema board where the rushes were screened.  Other Dad’s Army artefacts are on display including a jigsaw of the Captain’s Car episode featuring Thetford Guildhall.  The main exhibits however, are the large number of photographs of the cast filming in the Thetford area.

 

 

Dad’s Army Statue                                       Click here for Statue Appeal form. (PDF file, right click to save file.)

 

 

As a result of the continued interest in the Dad’s Army and the increasing popularity of the Thetford tours, a proposal has been made for a life sized statue of Captain Mainwaring seated on a bench by the town bridge to commemorate the programme and its links with the town.

 

Drawn by a local artist, John Mayes, the location depicted is that by the town bridge situated between the Bell and Anchor hotels.  These two hotels served as the home to cast and crew during their time filming in Thetford.  The Anchor was also the setting for the first ever scene in the first ever episode The Man and the Hour in 1968.  The Anchor is however under threat of demolition by developers who have purchased the site.  In the background, Bridge House served as the Headquarters of Thetford’s own home guard in World War II.

 

The press coverage and media interest aroused by the idea has really put Thetford on the map.  David Croft and Jimmy Perry, the show’s writers have indicated their approval for the project and Arthur Lowe’s grandson has been in contact wishing to be informed of progress.  Obviously a great deal of fund raising will be required but the offers of support received to date and the public backing for the idea are encouraging.

 

If anyone wishes to support the project please send donations to :

Thetford Town Council, King’s House, King Street, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2AP.

 

 

Tours and Opening times

 

The museum is open as part of the Dad’s Army Guided Tours of the town and other limited opening during the year.

 

Opening times confirmed for 2008 until the 31st March so far;

 

Saturday 26th January    10am – 2pm

Saturday 23rd February  10am – 2pm

Sunday 23rd March        10am – 2pm

Saturday 29th March      10am – 2pm

 

Four public Guided Tours of the Dad’s Army Trail tours have been arranged for Sunday afternoons.  These comprise meeting at the Bell followed by a guided walk of the trail, tea and coffee at the Bell and a showing of the DVD, Dad’s Army Extra Time.  The dates of these are

 

Sunday 13th April          2pm

Sunday 29th June           2pm

Sunday 31st August       2pm

Sunday 19th October      2pm

 

To reserve a space on one of these tours or to arrange your own group visit contact the booking line on (01842) 820689. 

 

 

Future Developments

 

A small steering group has been assembled with a view to developing the museum and the tours further and obviously much of what can be achieved will be dependent upon funding and support of individuals.

We are always keen to display new pieces of Dad’s Army memorabilia whether they are on loan or donated to the museum.  For anyone interested in becoming involved in the museum or the tours, or can help with fundraising for the statue please contact Susan Glossop, Thetford Town Manager in the first instance on (01842) 754038.