The heritage and history of Bungay has been celebrated.

The town took part in the national Heritage Open Days event at the weekend.

The theme for the weekend was Creativity Unwrapped and the four planned events which took place were deemed a great success.

Roz Barnett, the clerk of Bungay Town Council and who was responsible for the programme, said: “Again the history of Bungay makes promotion of the town easy along with the many volunteers of Bungay.

"This whole weekend was a great success.”

The Bungay events were advertised nationally and despite the unseasonal hot weather people from across the country turned up to see what Bungay had to offer.

"Roger Bigod" and his wife were at Castle Bailey and with the backdrop of the castle they gave demonstrations of fighting and cooking from the 12th Century.

The Fisher Theatre gave backstage tours followed by a lecture and slide show of the venue’s history.

At St Mary’s Church, a selection of embroidered clergy vestments and embroidered interpretations of church bosses were displayed along with photos and explanations.

These were to promote a new group in the town, the Mary Walker Foundation and Bungay Centre of Excellence for Textiles.

This group aims to promote the heritage of the town’s textiles and their conservation.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Children enjoying the arts and crafts and learning about Bungay's rich history Children enjoying the arts and crafts and learning about Bungay's rich history (Image: Bungay Town Council)

At the Town Hall large boards depicting past historic events in the town were filled in with collages of paper, fabrics and jewels.

These were designed by James Mayhew and Toto Martinez. The museum which is also housed in the town hall had a record number of visitors

It was not only the four event venues that had many more visitors than usual as the town’s food outlets also benefitted.

Frances Betts and John Adams, who were the lead council organisers of the event programme, said that what they have learnt this first year gives them optimism for more Heritage Open Day events in the coming years.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Children painting the mythical legend which has haunted the town since August 4, 1577 - the Black ShuckChildren painting the mythical legend which has haunted the town since August 4, 1577 - the Black Shuck (Image: Bungay Town Council)