CHARACTERS and landmarks from Woodbridge past and present will mark the relaunch of the town museum after its grand overhaul.It is 20 years since the Market Hill museum first opened its doors, with the main exhibit showing the finds from Sutton Hoo.

By Jessica Nicholls

CHARACTERS and landmarks from Woodbridge past and present will mark the relaunch of the town museum after its grand overhaul.

It is 20 years since the Market Hill museum first opened its doors, with the main exhibit showing the finds from Sutton Hoo.

Now, following the launch of the National Trust's £5million visitor centre, the museum has also been transformed with displays charting the story of the town.

From its Anglo-Saxon roots, marked by the discovery of the ancient burial ground of pagan kings at Sutton Hoo, through to the present day, more of the museum's collection will be on display than ever before.

The museum is due to open on Easter Saturday, March 30, with a one-day exhibition of pencil drawings showing Woodbridge in the early 1930s. The pictures were produced by Alfred David Williamson who retired to the town in 1928.

Youngsters also look set to benefit from the revamp through the Museum's education service. Worksheets will be on hand for them and, by the summer, fact sheets giving background information on all of the displays will be a feature, as well as being available on CD-rom.

It is also hoped that guided tours around the town will make a comeback.

Meanwhile, museums across the county will benefit from a grant of more than £4000.

The Association for Suffolk Museums secured the £4,410 grant from Voluntary Organisations Learning Together in Suffolk, to help with the Museums Development Programme.

The money will go toward training in areas such as volunteer recruitment and management, disability awareness and caring for collections.

For further information on Woodbridge museum contact Bob Merrett or John Hampton on 01394 380502.

COMING SOON: Ruby's legacy, a 14-year-old girl's account of a terrifying Zeppelin raid on the town, which resulted in the founding of the Woodbridge museum.