We saw four museums, none of which had been visited by the Society before. In Norwich these were the imposing Castle Museum and Art Gallery, with a hands-on session behind the scenes led by Curator of Natural History Tony Irwin, and the nearby Bridewell Museum. The latter is devoted to local crafts and industries, and this was a last chance to see the delightful crowded displays before the museum closed for refurbishment. The next day's coach excursion took us first to the fascinating Museum of Gas in Fakenham, the only complete gasworks remaining in England and Wales, and then on to the Spalding Gentlemen's Society Museum in its purpose-built premises dated 1910. This Society grew up in 1710 as a local centre of learning organised along the lines of the Royal Society, and is still functioning today, run by its volunteer-members. Isaac newton was once a member but there is uncertainty as to whether he ever attended a meeting. Over the centuries, the Society has acquired an extensive library and collections of glass, ceramics, coins and medals, bygones and local historical and archaeological material, as well as a fair number of scientific instruments (including a large Arsenius astrolabe presented in 1729), clocks and watches. It is open to the public by appointment only.

This visit encompassed the rural English counties of Norfolk and Lincolnshire and delegates saw some varied landscape from gently undulating fields, sheep and wool country, to the very flat Lincolnshire fens....market gardening country that in parts very much resembled the Dutch landscapes we had visited the previous May. In the later Middle Ages Norwich was for a while the second city of England.

Programme

Friday 3 October

2pm – 4.15pm Norwich Castle Museum: Hands-on session with stored instruments in the Town Close Auditorium plus viewing of galleries. Tea in café individually.

4.30pm – 6pm: Guided tour of the Bridewell Museum (local trades and industries) by curator John Renton.

Saturday 4 October

09.00 Depart from Norwich
10.00 Guided tour of the Fakenham Museum of Gas
11.30 To Spalding, with lunch en route
14.00 Guided tour of the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society Museum
16.00 Return to Norwich, arrival ca. 17.30

There was a flyer in June Bulletin to invite responses, gauging the level of interest. The final programme and booking form were sent to respondents in July/August.

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