Mere

The unique character of Diss is due in no small measure to the beautiful six-acre Mere, which brings an interesting variety of wildlife into the heart of the town. On one side of the Mere, bordering the shore, Diss Park offers a lovely setting for a wide variety of organised activities, a peaceful picnic, playing or simply relaxing in the open air. The town centre is adjacent to  Mere's Mouth opposite the Park, with car parking close by. Fishing for carp, crucian carp and tench is possible by arrangement with Diss Angling Club - for more information see the Angling Club website.

Fathom the secrets of Diss Mere by visting the Diss Museum Exhibition.

History of the Mere

Thank you to Marjory Pursehouse for allowing us to use extracts taken from a publication by her father Mr Eric Pursehouse in 1960.

Domesday Book of the 11th century records the name Dice or Disce as the Saxon word for a pool of standing water – the modern spelling has descended from this. It is no exaggeration to say “The Mere is Diss ; Diss is the Mere” and that occupations and social life have centred round it.

The origin of the Mere has been a subject of considerable speculation. It was once considered to be bottomless, and, rather fancifully, to have been formed in the crater of any extinct volcano. Like crater lakes in others parts of the world it is certainly circular, but there the similarity ends. No records exist of volcanic action in East Anglia, nor are there any rock deposits to suggest it, in this most stable part of the country. Less than 100 feet below the surface at Diss is an extensive layer of chalk some hundreds of feet thick, it is likely that the Mere occupies a clay-filled depression in this chalk. Whatever its origin, its area is known to be 51/2 acres, and its greatest depth about 20 feet.

It must have been the custom to water animals at the Mere’s Mouth and for a part to be railed off to prevent men and animals wading in too far. In 1639 the town was fined for not “keeping up the rails, for want of which a man, as he watered his horses, was drowned.”

The Norfolk Chronicle of March 10, 1827, reported that “the continuance of the frost having occasioned that fine piece of water to be safely frozen over, the 20 February was fixed for playing a match at cricket on the ice. Which commenced at 10 in the forenoon, and was well contested all that day, concluding about 6 in the evening. There was also ten-pins, running, skating, sparring and every other kind of appropriate ‘Rustic-sports’. Stalls and booths were erected to supply all kinds of refreshments. During the “freeze-up” a cumbersome farm wagon, drawn by four carthorses and belonging to Mr. Clarke of Stuston, crossed the Mere on the ice, without mishap.

In January 1891 similar scenes were witnessed. On January 5, after some thousands had given the ice adequate testing, a carnival was organised. At 9pm the flares from a host of torches, fixed in the barrels and arranged in a huge circle, lit up the arena. In the centre another ring of gently swaying Chinese lanterns enclosed the Rifle Band. High spirits prevailed – the profusion of colourful fancy costumes of the skaters – Father Christmas, Ally Sloper, Bogey Man, Buffalo Bill, Harlequin and a host of others carrying Roman candles transformed the Mere into a fairly land. Feathery flakes of gently falling snow enhanced the general effect.

Wildlife

Diss Mere attracts a wide variety of birds. Spotted on the Mere are:

*There are also several species of fish, these are mainly :

*Information kindly supplied by Diss & District Angling Club

If you have a wildlife spot not listed here then please contact us and we can update the site and even add in some of your photos.

Blue-Green Algae

A Blue-green algal bloom was reported in the Mere during the summer of 2008. This will continue to be an ongoing problem in future years particularly in the warmer months. About 50% of blue-green algae blooms are toxic and the public are advised to be aware of this and to avoid contact with the water.

Fountain & Fountain Stone     

The fountain was installed in June 2005 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Club of Diss and District and donated to Diss Town Council, which maintains it. The fountain is a popular attraction in the town.

The commemorative stone was placed in Mere’s Mouth and unveiled by the Town Mayor, Councillor Tony Palmer, in a ceremony held on 4th April 2006.

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