The celebrations started at Thetford Grammar School with a talk by our chairman Chad Goodwin 

The wreath laying was accompanied by a rhyming pronouncement of Thomas Paine's life read out by  the Thetford Town Crier. 

The group of about 40 people then retired to the Thomas Paine Hotel for lunch.

In the afternoon committee member Paul Myles presented the latest research from his doctoral study which included petitions from the Excise officers of Wales and Hertfordshire in 1769  foreshadowing Paine's comprehensive pamphlet " The Case of the Officers of Excise " printed in 1772. This and other key strands were revealed. 

Myles will transfer to the University of  St Andrews this year where the Thomas Paine Project will be widened nationally in order to outreach to life long learning of the intellectual ideas of the mid 18th and early 19c. 

Robert Morrell spoke as the founding member of the society and reminded us that whilst the society considered being a purely academic society at the beginning, it was decided to make it a society for everyone, reflecting Thomas Paine's aims and ambitions. To reach out to everyone.

Chad Goodwin then spoke about what we had achieved and what we should endeavour to achieve  in the future. Which is to continue the core aim of:

"To promote the recognition of Thomas Paine’s contribution to the cause of freedom, and to spread a knowledge of his work and activities"

Stuart Wright , our treasurer, is Mayor of Thetford this year, this added a sparkle to the proceedings in this celebratory year!