John Betjeman: Something About Diss (Norfolk) Part 1

Part 1 of the short film made in 1964. A few years ago I briefly owned a book sent by Betjeman to Billa Harrod signed 'from your Diss Lover John B, Whitsun 1964'. I'd like to think JB bought the book at the newsagent featured in this clip (now a Holland & Barrett!) and sent it to Billa at her home in Holt, Norfolk.

[@MikeJones-zt3kb]

An amazing special character who enjoyed British life and had a special gift to share his love of culture

[@Willesden_Rab1_TV]

Love the title great pun by Betjeman.. when i stayed in Norwich (last stop on train) Diss was either the penultimate station or two stops before but i remember always seeing Diss 7:05 😂 great wordplay from narrator

[@harleyblue999]

Today the Taxi blows its horn,lady with three kids pushchair open the door yourself different culture you see.love these oldies.

[@brendakent123]

"Now do remember this; nowhere in England is dull, even the road from the station on a wet day" Ahhh yes!

[@gixmostart]

My son owns what was Gostlings the Chemist in Part 2. I bought it in 1986 and it was a bit sad. Now it looks fantastic and, I think, even better than it did when this film was made. Horribly expensive to do though and the Council was taking £9,000 a year in business rates until the last review.

[@AntPDC]

Quite wonderful - JB, in the County of Norfolk which he loved (and if I'm not mistaken, in the middle section, the Swingle Singers performing Bach's Prelude number 9 from Book 2 of his 48 and more Bach later on!). Thank you for posting this.

[@junenursey9063]

Such a wonderful place to visit .Watching this film has many enjoyable memories for me,especially in later life when I visited and purchased some beautiful Jacob's fleece to spin with. Would love those days back again.

[@janieholden]

Any connection to Bungay June?

[@junenursey9063]

@@janieholden Hello. I think there is a link somewhere although it goes back , not how many generations. My husbsnd Keith Nursey had just started with Ancestry but it never got finished. Not why you ask ? . Do you have some connection.

[@janieholden]

@@junenursey9063 No connection. Just that I went to school in Bungay many years ago and Nurseys was a well known local company who made and sold sheepskin coats, jackets etc.

[@williamwaynflete6336]

Who is the woman reading the quotes? Could be Joan Hickson... Inspired choice of music. Usual backing tracks of that era were manic rumty-tumty...

[@mawsonics]

Just a thought. Why oh why has this never been issued on DVD? I would think the East Anglian Film archive could shift a few hundred copies in the Diss area if they put it out on DVD.

[@mekydro]

As the train that he has arrived on is shown departing, the very distinctive sound of a Southern 'DEMU' with its 4SRKT engine can be heard setting off. A but of creative sound dubbing in the studio, methinks!

[@michaeldaubney75]

Are you sure of that? East Anglia was home to mañy class 37s . Given the quality of sound I'd put my money on a class 37

[@mekydro]

@@michaeldaubney75 I'd stake quite a lot of money on it, yes. The 4SRKT has a different sound to the EE prime movers in Class 37s and idles very distinctively. A lovely sound to my ears, btw.

[@Stereolabdream]

Just looking on Google street view, and I'm shocked to see what happened to that "Elizabethan Coaching Inn" The Kings Head. Really sad. Go to Market Place, Diss and the Halifax building society is the spot. What happened to the old pub?

[@cymothoe2]

Christ, you're right! unbelievable!

[@FrithonaHrududu02127]

Ok... so is Diss the name of a town?

[@custardcrevette]

Excellent post. Is there some more of this? Looks like Diss has not changed so much. Same market is on street view.

[@alexmckendrick3568]

This is great,but where's part 2

[@sparkythetortoise]

Not quite as bad as that - its long closed but the building still stands - its a couple of doors down from the Halifax and is split into a chemist and a shoe repair shop repair shop. Most of Diss is remarkably similar, and all those derelict houses at the end were done up and are now worth of fortune! So not all gloom

[@frankwhelan1715]

How did it get that (odd)name?

[@elliotkey7961]

3@@@❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@outoftownr3906]

Where’s Dat?

[@grudbeerreviews1541]

It’s a town in Norfolk, about 20miles south of Norwich. A lovely place that I know very well.