The heritage Centre is housed in the old Parish Room. It was built in 1890 by Benjamin Cooke, a miller in the town, for the grand sum of £400. It was equipped for £60 and then donated to the church. It opened on 1st October 1890.

The building has had many uses ranging from wedding receptions, children’s parties, a temporary library and as a meeting room for the church choir and for the WI. Local residents recall the choir sitting around an organ with a stove for warmth. Refreshments for meetings were often prepared on a gas stove … One resident vividly recalls being lifted through the window by the vicar to unlock the door from the inside to assist a group who had been locked out!

Latterly the building was used as storage and was subsequently somewhat neglected and required major repair.

Alan Quinn suggested the idea that the building could be used as a History centre for the town. External repairs began thanks to funding from a variety of sources, and the work was undertaken by N.F. Coverdale of Cawston.

A learning officer was appointed in October 2010 and the centre opened on 2nd July 2011. The first exhibition was ‘Celebrations and Events’.

The Centre hosts a new exhibition every year looking at a different aspect of the history of the town. It has a full calendar of events – walks, social activities, crafts and children’s events – which are open to everyone. It is free to visit and dogs are welcome too, so why not pop in!