WISEArchive

08/01/2026

WISEArchive's exhibition Celebrating Wensum Lodge has now concluded and we hope that everyone who visited had an excellent experience. Thanks to everyone involved and especially the National Lottery Heritage Fund who made it possible. Do keep in touch for any further developments through our website www.wisearchive.co.uk.

04/09/2025

WISEArchive's exhibition Celebrating Wensum Lodge: A Legacy of Adult Education will run in the Long Gallery at the Archive Centre, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich NR1 2DH until December 2025. Drop in during normal opening hours (Monday to Friday) to learn more of the story of Wensum Lodge and its importance as a centre for adult education across an enormous range of subjects from its start in 1966 to its closure at the end of 2023. There will be displays and films to view.

The exhibition is also part of Norfolk Heritage Open Days from 12th to 19th September.

Many thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Norfolk Record Office for their support.

09/05/2025

WISEArchive's exhibition and series of talks Celebrating Wensum Lodge. A legacy of Adult Education was well received -"excellent, very informative". Thanks to the fascinating speakers on both Saturday and Sunday and to the people who brought along items illustrating Wensum Lodge's influence on their lives. And thanks to our amazing volunteers for their enthusiastic help.
If you missed the exhibition, there will be an opportunity to see it at the Norfolk Record Office from September on. More information will follow.

20/04/2025

Join us on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th April at Dragon Hall in Norwich to celebrate Wensum Lodge and its legacy of adult education. Drop in to see displays and films from 11.30 to 4 pm. Book free tickets to talks from 10.30-11.30 on Eventbrite https://tinyurl.com/yx8fhk2n. More on the WISEArchive website www.wisearchive.co.uk.

10/11/2024

We've just heard about the sad passing ofTom Grapes, at the age of 94. In 2018 Tom told WISEArchive about the early days of Hunter's Yard in Ludham, and his son Ian carried on the story about more recent times.

Tom's story can be read at:
https://www.wisearchive.co.uk/story/broads-heritage-hunters-yard-history-early-days/
and Ian'd
https://www.wisearchive.co.uk/story/broads-heritage-working-at-hunters-yard-today/

The sad passing of a true Norfolk countryman.

31/05/2024

We're thinking about all the benefits of volunteering for the Volunteer Extravaganza on 7th June at the Forum, Norwich.. And so is Michael Mosley! Listen to the programme on BBC Sounds:

How volunteering could lower your cholesterol and help you stay healthy for longer.

20/05/2024

We've just published a booklet about Mutton’s Mill and Halvergate Marshes, as part of the Water, Mills and Marshes project. Email [email protected] to get your copy, £6 including postage and packing. Go to the WISEArchive website to read the stories of Paul and David for whom the restoration of the Mill has been a labour of love for 40 years. https://www.wisearchive.co.uk/story/boats-mills-and-marshes/ and https://www.wisearchive.co.uk/story/life-broads-boats-mills/.

17/03/2024

Come and join us on Friday 22nd March, 1-5pm, at the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, The Forum.
WISEArchive is collaborating with the Norwich museums on their
'Norwich Works Collecting Day', which is an invitation to share your experiences of Norwich industry with curators and librarians. The information we collect will enrich our understanding of this important part of Norwich’s history and will be shared with audiences to bring this history alive.
Staff from Norfolk Museums and Norfolk Library service will be present to collect information about objects and pictures. Members of WISEArchive will be there to record your memories of work at Edwards & Holmes; Boulton & Paul and Mackintosh-Caley.
Drop-in and bookable slots available on the day. For more information please visit Norfolk Museums Events page.
Looking forward to seeing you there with your memories.
www.wisearchive.co.uk.

photo copyright Norfolk Record Office

20/06/2023

There was another great day at the Broads Nature & People event on Sunday 18th June. Our contributors Suzie Hanna and Dick Foyster gave moving and entertaining talks. The WISEArchive film was well received, too. The next event in the series is on Sunday July 2nd at Acle at 11 pm.

10/06/2023

Looking forward to the free drop-in event Broads: Nature and People in the Bure Room, Acle Recreation Centre on Sunday 18th June. Look out for WISEArchive contributors Suzie Hanna at 11.30 and Dick Foyster at 2 pm, and our film at 12.45 and 4 pm.

A further Broads drop-in event at Acle Recreation centre, Bure Room, is being organised for Sunday 2 July. It will be entitled “The Broads: Waterways”.

07/06/2023

Find us at the latest Broads heritage event at Acle Village Hall on Sunday June 18th. The theme will be "Nature and People" and you can meet WISEArchive contributors Suzie Hanna and Dick Foyster and watch our film about Life and Work on the Broads. There'll be lots of stalls and the chance to meet up with friends. More information will follow.

13/04/2023

Looking forward to meeting you at the Community Archives Fair at the Forum, Norwich, this Saturday, 15th April 2023. Come and learn about our work and how YOU can contribute.