History is big business in North Walsham and the town's heritage centre hosted a stall in the Market Place ahead of the Christmas lights switch-on.

Eastern Daily Press: North Walsham celebrates its heritage. Bob Wright, Diana Velhagen, Gordon Cannell and Kate Purdy as a WW2 nurse. Pictures: supplied by Diana VelhagenNorth Walsham celebrates its heritage. Bob Wright, Diana Velhagen, Gordon Cannell and Kate Purdy as a WW2 nurse. Pictures: supplied by Diana Velhagen (Image: Archant)

The theme was 'From bygone days' and various artefacts held in North Walsham Heritage and Information Centre's collection, showcasing aspects of the town's history, were on display.

Items included historical toys, entertainment, food and drink, timekeeping, and shoes, and many Christmas memories collected from the town's residents were available to read.

There was a 'Guess the mystery object from bygone days?' competition and a chance to sample different sweets from bygone days that are still available today.

Volunteers dressed in medieval costume and a suffragette protested the absence of women on a North Walsham electoral roll of 1865 and showed an example of anti-suffragette publications from 1906.

Eastern Daily Press: Bob Wright as a medieval peasant promoting the July 2020 festival “Battle for North Walsham, 1381, Revisited”, and Gordon Cannell as a British paratrooper promoting the North Walsham street party on May 8, 2020, Pictures: supplied by Diana VelhagenBob Wright as a medieval peasant promoting the July 2020 festival “Battle for North Walsham, 1381, Revisited”, and Gordon Cannell as a British paratrooper promoting the North Walsham street party on May 8, 2020, Pictures: supplied by Diana Velhagen (Image: Archant)

The heritage centre in Vicarage Street is open during the winter months on Mondays and Thursdays from 10am-2pm.

Eastern Daily Press: Diana Velhagen as a suffragette –highlighting the absence of women on a North Walsham electoral roll from 1865. Pictures: supplied by Diana VelhagenDiana Velhagen as a suffragette –highlighting the absence of women on a North Walsham electoral roll from 1865. Pictures: supplied by Diana Velhagen (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Food and sweets from bygone days. Pictures: supplied by Diana VelhagenFood and sweets from bygone days. Pictures: supplied by Diana Velhagen (Image: Archant)