Dereham

Dereham is a town and civil parish of Norfolk located 15 miles west of the Norwich and 25 miles east of King’s Lynn. It is also known as East Dereham or The Heart of Norfolk with a population of around 18,609 in 2011 census. The city also serves as the center of administration for the district of Breckland. Recently burnt flints and sites were being found in 1976 and 1987 showing evidence that the area was developed during the Bronze Age. The city was affected by the Zeppelin air raids and the headquarters of the 5^th Territorial Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment was damaged during the First World War. Later on, the city was partially walled to halt the operations of the German invasion and declared a Nodal Point during the Second World War.

Transportation

The railway was first introduced in the city with single track line to Wymondham in 1847 and then the line was doubled to cater the increasing levels of traffic in 1882. Later on, the double line was returned to the single track and the last train ran in 1969 for Dereham to Wymondham track. Now, the railways for this track has been preserved and operated by Mid Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust as a tourist line. The city has own large complex of sidings and railway depot and also became part of the Great Eastern Railway in 1862.

Industry

The city was famous for producing wooden models and toys which were popular before the arrival of molded plastic. Hobbies of Dereham, manufacturers of wooden models and toys owned ten shops in prestige locations throughout the UK. The firm closed its business and sold all the shops after being acquired by Great Universal Stores. The Cranes and Fruehauf Trailer Company served as major employers of the town for many years.

Famous attractions of the city attracted the attention of tourists include the Norman parish church, windmill, the cottage of Pargetted Bishop Bonner, Gressenhall Museum and a large mushroom shaped water tower. Notable people from the town include from different fields are:

George Borrow

Sir John Fenn

Brian Aldiss

George Skipper