Fifty years, celebrated at the Corn Hall

To mark fifty years in Diss we opened the doors at The Corn Hall — a free exhibition of our history, a new Heritage Collection, and two new mayoral chain insertions designed by a local student. It runs until Saturday 4 July.

The Mayor of Diss, Declan Craggs, receiving the new mayoral chain insertions at the exhibition opening

On Saturday 20 June we gathered at The Corn Hall to mark a half-century of making jewellery in Diss. An invite-only reception opened a two-week public exhibition — free to view — celebrating fifty years of craft and community in the town we have called home since 1975.

Guests arriving at The Corn Hall, Diss, for The Jewellery Workshop's 50th anniversary exhibition

A new chain for the town

A highlight of the evening was unveiling two new insertions for the mayoral chain, presented to the Mayor of Diss, Declan Craggs. They were designed by Rosie Brown, a sixth-form student who won a competition we ran with Diss Town Council.

Rosie Brown's winning mayoral-chain design and student competition entries on display

We’ve told the full story of the competition and Rosie’s design in a separate entry.

The Heritage Collection

The evening also marked the debut of The Heritage Collection — a new signature line created in honour of our late founder, John Cameron Price. It pays tribute to John’s distinctive style: vibrant gemstones and organic forms, lifted with rows of pavé-set diamonds. Traditional bench skills sit at its heart, while a selection of the pieces bridge past and present, having been developed with the help of CAD.

“These special pieces are a tribute to John’s enduring vision and the craftsmanship that remains at the heart of everything we do at The Jewellery Workshop,” noted jewellery designer Yvonne Knights.

Fifty years of community

Alongside the new work, the exhibition tells the story of the workshop itself — the family and staff who have made it part of Diss life for half a century. Visitors can see Rosie’s winning entry, all of the student competition submissions, and the full Heritage Collection.

“This exhibition is an exciting opportunity to showcase the history of The Jewellery Workshop, celebrating past and present collections, staff, and community,” said our shop manager, Charlotte.

Visitors viewing jewellery at The Jewellery Workshop's 50th anniversary exhibition

Visit the exhibition

The exhibition is free and open to all at The Corn Hall, 10 St Nicholas Street, Diss IP22 4LB, until Saturday 4 July 2026 — Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Do come and say hello.

Photographs by Tom Barrett.

Written at the bench in Diss. Our journal is kept by the people who make the work — no ghost-writers, no stock photography. Read more entries.

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