Step back to 1926: CPRE Norfolk opens Centenary exhibition

CPRE Norfolk was delighted to mark CPRE’s 100th anniversary with the successful opening of a special Centenary Exhibition at Diss Museum on 14th March 2026.

Parade

The day began with a vibrant and well-attended parade through the town, bringing the year 1926 – when CPRE was founded – vividly to life.

A colourful cast of characters reflected key figures and moments from that time, including the Duke of York and Duchess of York, Rudolph Valentino and his mourners, Harry Houdini, Aimee Semple McPherson and Gertrude Ederle. Sporting and cultural icons such as Babe Ruth, Jack Hobbs and Bobby Jones were also represented, alongside references to the 1926 General Strike.

Entertainment was provided by the Palgrave Players and music from the era from the ever-popular Gislingham Variety Club, creating a lively and celebratory atmosphere as visitors gathered at the museum for the official opening.

Presentations

Following the parade, CPRE Norfolk Trustee and former President Tim O’Riordan presented certificates recognising the outstanding work of local conservation groups.

These included Chris Brooks (Scoles Nature Trails), Tessa Greaves of the Frenze Beck & River Waveney Trust (Diss Group), Richard Pither and George Waterman of the Quaker Wood, Diss Woodland Project Group, and Ellie Beach of the Little Ouse Headwaters Project. Their efforts reflect the vital role local volunteers continue to play in protecting and enhancing Norfolk’s countryside.

Centenary exhibition

The Centenary Exhibition inside the Diss museum tells the story of CPRE’s work over the past 100 years, charting the organisation’s long-standing commitment to safeguarding the countryside while highlighting the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Through displays and images visitors can explore how Norfolk’s countryside needs have changed over the past century and the role CPRE Norfolk has played in shaping its future.

The exhibition is free to visit and will remain open at Diss Museum until the last Saturday of October 2026. CPRE Norfolk warmly encourages members, supporters and the wider community to visit and take the opportunity to reflect on a century of countryside protection.

Whether you have been involved with CPRE for many years or are discovering its work for the first time, the exhibition offers a timely and inspiring reminder of why Norfolk’s landscapes matter – and why they must continue to be protected for generations to come.

A century of protecting Norfolk’s countryside

When CPRE was founded in 1926, its early campaigners were already concerned about many of the issues we still face today: unchecked development, the loss of tranquil landscapes, and the pressure placed on farmland, wildlife and rural communities.

A century on, the context has changed, but the core challenge remains the same – how to balance progress with the protection of the landscapes that define our county.

As we celebrate our centenary, CPRE Norfolk remains committed to the same vision that inspired our founders: a thriving countryside for everyone to enjoy, protect and pass on to future generations. Join us now to keep our vision alive for the next 100 years.