VISITORS can go on a journey through the brush-making process as a new season of exhibitions begins on Sunday at Wymondham Heritage Museum.

VISITORS can go on a journey through the brush-making process as a new season of exhibitions begins on Sunday at Wymondham Heritage Museum.

New things to look out for include a new look to the brush display. It tells the story of brush making in Wymondham from early times to the 1980s and includes a 'working' 1897 Gane brush-filling machine, which was used in the Briton Brush factory in Wymondham.

The machine has been restored and adapted into a demonstration machine by Michael Marwood, who was technical director at Briton in the 1960s. At the push of a button, visitors can see how this machine worked.

An audio presentation outlines the story of the industry which at one time employed more than 800 people in the town in the Briton and CWS factories. Briton produced up to 30,000 brushes each day and some 2,000 different types of brush were available. It was said that Briton Brush 'swept the world.' The audio includes memories of some of the workers.

The various stages in the production of the many different types of brushes can be seen. There are examples of finished products, together with the various tools and gadgets which were part of the brush-making process before the coming of brush-filling machines.

Another new display tells the story of Wymondham's schools, from the town's grammar school founded in Tudor times up to the 20th century. There are photographs and memorabilia from the time before classrooms had computers and also memories of schools and their pupils.

A Children's Discovery Chest will provide young visitors with 'hands on' experience in looking for and handling interesting objects, which they can try to understand.

The museum has a wide range of permanent exhibitions and displays including the story of the Bridewell which houses the museum and once served as a new model prison, a police station and a courthouse. There are many displays about the town's history, its people and events such as the Market Cross, the Great Fire, Kett's Rebellion and farming bygones.

The first day of the new season is Sunday when the museum is open from 2-4pm.