There were celebrations in Wymondham as the new town sign was unveiled and dedicated.Mayor Len Elston formally unveiled the new aluminium sign in the grounds of Beckett's Chapel.

There were celebrations in Wymondham as the new town sign was unveiled and dedicated.

Mayor Len Elston formally unveiled the new aluminium sign in the grounds of Beckett's Chapel.

Wymondham Town Council decided to have a new sign made after an inspection last year revealed that the ravages of time and weather had taken their toll on the original, which was presented by the town's Women's Institute to mark its golden jubilee in 1969. The vicar of Wymondham, Canon Christopher Davies, performed a dedication ceremony after the unveiling.

The original town sign was presented by the Wymondham Women's Institute to mark its golden jubilee and was unveiled on Wednesday July 30, 1969, by Ella Bowden, the oldest member of the local WI and its treasurer for more than 30 years. Mrs Bowden had thought of the idea of presenting the sign during her time on the council some years earlier and had suggested it would be a good way of marking the Institute's 50 years in Wymondham.

After the unveiling, Mr George H Marwood, chairman of the Wymondham Urban District Council, thanked WI members for their “very fine gift” and said it would give townsfolk “a great deal of pleasure and pride”.

Among others present at the ceremony were Mrs R S Bourne, president of Wymondham WI and Mr Harry Carter, who had made the sign - and many others for towns and villages around the county. He was the art master at Hamond's Grammar School, Swaffham.