More Memories of Thorpe Hamlet

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Hi there,
please could anyone find a photograph of the Bakers Arms as the bakery years ago. i don't know much about the history of this pub and would like a photo to show how this building used to be.
i will be shortly taking over the bakers arms lease and would be grateful for any information on the history to promote the memories of Thorpe Hamlet into my pub.
Please let me know if anyone can assist me.
THE BAKERS ARMS 66,ST.LEONARDS ROAD ,NORWICH
Robert Robins
robert.robins@ntlworld.com  (NB THE BAKERS HAS SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN RESOLD AND IS NOW A PRIVATE HOUSE BUT NO DOUBT THE PRESENT OWNERS WOULD STILL BE INTERESTED  - WEBMASTER)

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I have just come across your site on the internet - yes it takes time for me to find my way around these things!
But to the point:-

I have some information regarding the Boweren family. A Michael Boweren who lives in France - or did at the time of his query on your site - is requesting information regarding the Boweren family. Am I correct that this Michael is brother to Pauline? My grandfather was Sydney Walter Boweren, one of seven children, being Eleanor (Nell) Bob, Fred, Ted, Leslie, and George. Sydney lived in Burnham, Buckinghamshire until he died. Sydney had three children, Gerald, Rita and Sylvia, Sylvia had three children, myself - Christina and Theresa and Lee who are twins. As I understand it their father was William Edgar and mother was Elizabeth Sturgess. I have further names and may be able to provide more information, but I guess we ought to see how this goes first and hope that Michael has not already found this information and I am SO far behind the times.

Regards Christina

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Hi
i hope someone would be able to help me, i am looking for information on the above bakery, as i had ELWIN relatives who worked and lived there during the 1800's.
i would like to find out more information on it, especially more on the occupants or bakers there, and if there are any records of how long my rellies worked and lived there for. Also any pictures there might be.
I did write to the bakery some time ago, and i put in a S.A.E but i never got a reply, which i am a bit annoyed about as it does not take much effort to write on a scrap of paper " sorry i cannot help you"
hope you can
regards sheila merritt

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Hello,  I see 2 references to Railway Cottages. Can anyone tell me where they were? Also I’d be interested to know the difference between Thorpe Hamlet and Thorpe next Norwich. Is an address naming Railway Cotts Thorpe next Nowich the same as Railway Cotts Thorpe Hamlet?

David Culley

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I wonder if you can help me with a bit of research. I am looking at the life of a distant relative of mine, Alfred Rutt.

Alfred was born in Cambridge in 1822, learnt the boatbuilding trade through his step father Samuel Logan and, after the death of his first wife Mary Ann Reeve, appears tpo have moved to Thorpe Next Norwich where he married a Martha Wiles (maybe Wyles) in 1849. His early children were born there.

I wonder if there is any trace of his being in Thorpe next Norwich. He lived in the Spitalfield district I believe.

The reason I ask is not merely out of of my own curiosity but because of an Australian cousin of mine descended from him. She really would like to know something of her roots. Alfred emigrated to Australia in 1855 on the 'Morayshire' arriving in Sydney in 1856 (interestingly, the ship went on to pick up descendants of the Bounty Mutiny on Pitcairn Island and take them to Norfolk Island)

I would very much like to hear  if you have anything at all relevant.
Julian Buttery

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To Lisbeth.
I remember the old Blake family very well. I lived at 83 Quebec Road, many years ago, I recall Vera, Ruby and of course Billy, who died of wounds during the world war 2 . I knew Molly and Ivan Finch and their mother I think thye used to live in the house next to the waterworks, later occupied by a family called Daniels, in my time my Aunt lived next door to the Blakes, then the Jearys, Hazel Joan and Geoffrey, who served as a prisoner of war in Germany, Where are they now? Maybe gone but not forgotten....
Mary Cowell (nee Rowe) Western Australia.

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Re my dad who was born and brought up 45, Quebec Road, Thorpe Hamlet his name was Bernard Mattin unfortunately my dad died 2000 aged 67. Dad and his brother Raymond grew up and went on to work on the railway my dad 'Bernard ' was a train driver on the steam engines alongside his father George Mattin and both my dads grandfathers worked on the railway his mums father William Blake and hid dads father Andrew Mattin all of them lived on Quebec Road .My nanny was known as Ruby although her name was Agnes nee Blake she was also born on Quebec Road. My nannys neighbour was called florrie colman they shared a courtyard. My dad had a cousin Molly Finch has been mentioned already in 'memories' she had a brother Ivan .Often when I visited my nanny we would go to the 'Rosary' to put flowers on my great grandparents graves and my great uncle Billy Blake he was killed in the 2nd world war he was my nanny's brother .
I can remember my dad talking about the dancing lessons he used to have with my mum Patricia Mattin nee Fuller mum was not brought up in thorpe hamlet but met my dad when she was just 14 , they were married at St. Peter Mancroft in 1953 the house they were taught in was on Brittania Road just before you reach st. James's Hill on the left hand side of the road.
My grandad George Mattin used to play darts at the William 4th pub on st. Leonards road .I can remembert going to the sweet shop on the corner of Quebec Road where you could buy boiled sweets from jars and i used to pay my nanny's 'didlums' as she called it it was a kind of savings scheme, paid weekly.
Lizbeth

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I found your site which is fascinating as some of my ancestors came from there.
My great grandfather was a Francis Arthur Morse who married a lady called Mary Chaplin. From records great grandfather was a Crepe Designer at the time of the birth of my grandfather Charles George Hugh Morse in 1884 and Francis and his wife were living at Freneda Cottage on Telegraph Lane.
Francis and Mary were still living at Freneda Cottage in 1891 (census) and Francis was a Crepe Roller Engraver.
By the time my Grandfather Charles George Hugh married in 1915 Francis was described as a gentleman which was often a colloquialism for retired but it does not say if he was still living in the Hamlet but i suspect so as Charles married at St Matthews.
Does Freneda Cottage on Telegraph Lane still exist ?
Was there a crepe material printing industry in Thorpe Hamlet?
Was the Brewery in Thorpe Hamlet a Steward, Pattison, Morse and Finch brewery ? and if so was my great grandfather related to Sir George H Morse for whom Morse Road in Thorpe is named ?
Does anyone know ? I would be grateful for any information or memories anyone might have.
Your site is fascinating - keep up the good work
Nick St John-Moore

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Hi, My name is Bill Starling (David), I have just looked your book & website for the first time .
On page 60 in the book is a class photo Crome school 1957 this was my class, I recognise most by looks, but only a few by name.
Alan Tacon, John Harper, Bernard Ewles, Rodney Capes, John Lane, Tony Norton & myself.
Can you remind me of the other names.
My wife and family left Norwich for Western Australia in1966 so have lost touch long ago.
On the web page is an article by David F Shailer about his father," Bill"& loco 70013 named
Oliver Cromwell, my father also drove this engine just before diesels came in.
Yours David Starling Ex 19 Hill House Rd

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I notice there was some correspondence about the Rangers Cottage on Mousehold.

This seems to have recently been sold to someone who is renovating it on behalf of English Nature and the Mousehold Conservators Trust. So hopefully that will means it will be preserved.
JS

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Hello
My great grandfather - William Bertie Curtis, was born at either number 10 or number 16 Railway Cottages in 1876. I am unsure as to the exact address, since his uncle lived at one and his grandparents at another. His mother was a single mum, and we believe his father
may have been her employer or another member of the household where she worked. William's grandfather was a Railway Carriage Examiner in 1881, and his Uncle was a boilermaker.
Anyhow I was wondering if you have any information on Railway Cottages . . .
I recently visited and have taken photographs, but would love to know more about these properties in terms of when they were built,
ownership, rent etc.
Becky Robinson (Miss)

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Hi.
I have found out that my great great grandfather used to run The Ostrich pub in around 1871 which was on Ketts hill.
This pub suffered greatly in the floods of 1912 and was demolished we believe in 1939. The landlord was called Thomas Nobbs.
I am struggling to find a very clear photo of this pub and also any extra info about it.
Can you help?
Julie

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Thanks for all the memories and the brilliant book. I was so pleased to read the memory of Ted Armiger who I knew well as a friend when we were lads.

I lived with my Grandmother and Grandfather, Alice and Harry Baker at 86 St Leonards Road where our back garden joined Teds, Grandfather worked on the Railway as did my uncle Harry who lived at No 70. One of our playgrounds was the derelict area known as Gipsons Buildings which was at the top of Camp Road where it joined Saunders Road, opposite Pauls shop. After National Service in Malaya I returned to live with my Grandparents until my marriage.

John Baker

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I have just been enjoying reading people’s memories and would like to add some of my own.

I was born at Earlham Hall in 1942. This looks very posh on my birth certificate but it was a maternity home during the war and I was then taken to 68 Quebec Road, an ever so slightly less regal Victorian terrace which was to be my home for the next 20 years.

My father Wilfred’s parents - Florence (nee Utting) and stepfather Arthur Miller - kept the corner shop and lived at 16 Wolfe Road. I was interested to read that Tony Ireland remembered her.

My mother Mary’s parents, Archie and Rose Bygrave, lived in Waterworks Lodge in Quebec Road,. He was an Inspector for the Norwich Water Board. I remember that whenever there was a thunderstorm he took great delight in standing on top of the water tower to watch the lightning. My great-aunt Inez Bygrave kept the grocery and butchers shop just around the corner from Money’s fish shop. My great grandmother Minnie Curtis lived for some years in the Eagle Ward at St. Helens Hospital Bishopgate. I remember feeling very frightened after visiting her and having to walk through the cloisters at dusk.

My great aunt on my father’s side, Vi Garrod, was brought up in no 7 Marion Road and 16 Beatrice Road. Her father was Fred Garrod, station inspector at Norwich Railway Station, working there for 45 years.

I have happy childhood memories of playing in the grounds of Emmetts, a couple of doors down from my home, which was a beautiful house with the garden covered in crocuses in the Spring. I seem to remember the Colman family living there .I believe that flats have been built on the land. I also played with Leslie Davenport the artist’s daughter Diana when they lived at the top of Ketts Hill. I have memories as a little child being taken to visit Otto Ager who I believe was a milkman who lived in Ketts Hill; and being given a small china doll by a elderly lady who lived there (and which I still have today)

After leaving Ella Road Infants School and not passing my 11 Plus I went to The Stuart Girls school in Telegraph Lane. The Headmistress at the time was Miss Feetham. I fondly remember Miss Helen Rope the English teacher who encouraged me to stretch my wings.

On becoming a teenager I spent a great deal of time with friends Pauline Sharman and Carol Read (are you still out there?) at the roller skating rink in Plumstead Road.

I noticed someone had mentioned Zacs restaurant - I was told by my grandmother that this was a mortuary which used to scare me to death! Does anyone know if this is true?

(Yes it is. The one opposite Cow Tower was used as a river mortuary Webmaster)

As I am now the eldest member of my family I would like to hear if anyone remembers any of the names above - or me!

Regards. Ann Prior (nee Hunter). Oxford.

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For Bob Carman from Blacksburg, USA,
Dear Bob,
When we were last in touch, I don't think that I had received a copy of Colonel Harvey's death certificate, I now have it, I have visited his grave, and have also inherited his portrait. Would you be interested in me sending you copies of the certificate or his portrait for your research for your essay? How is the research going?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes
Miriam Hare

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Your website and your book are fantastic! My husband and I are in the process of purchasing 64 St Leonards Road and have noticed from paperwork that it is part of British Gas holdings up until 2000. Does anyone know any history about the house? It is the only one like it on this part of St Leonards Road and we would love to hear anything anyone remembers about it or its previous owners. We think the following people were affiliated with the house and the surrounding
properties in some way:
Until 1907 E Brown and W Browne Pratt
1911 Revd M C H Bird and T A Daniels and A Hesman
1911 - 1923 H Cubitt
1923 - 1924 P H Gedge and F J Cole
1964 - 1981 Frederick Christopher Hall
1981 - 1986 David Lewis Chipperfield
1986 - 2000 Stephen Leslie Wade

If anyone remembers any of these people or knows anything about the property please post it on this messageboard.
MK Burgan   Norwich

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In answer to Mrs T Colbeck regarding Robert Hope, there is a Tombstone in the Rosary Cemetery Section E Plot 2/747 for a Robert Hope, Engineer to the Norfolk and Norwich Railway Company who died on 2nd January 1848, aged 40, with the inscription "Deeply regretted by all who knew him". We think 25 Railway Cottages may still exist, and if Mrs Colbeck, still wants a photograph, and the cottage is still there, we would be happy to try to take a photograph for her.

Jim and June Marriage

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Hello everyone. My wifes family (Baldwin) have some handwritten memories of Jesse Baldwin whose family lived for many years at 12 Railway cottage Thorpe Hamlet. I have just come across your website and was amazed to see more than a few references to Railway cottages. I would like to share with you a cut down version of his memoirs from the 1850s onwards which I hope you will find interesting.

As others have said any photos or further information, particularly of railway cottage or the railway, would be greatly appreciated. and comments on the memoirs. PS Some spellings are wrong because we couldn't read the writing.

Kevin Teasdale

The memories of Jesse Baldwin……………….

There he was an engine driver on the then eastern Counties railway - now altered to the Great Eastern Railway. My father was a light hearted man and often I’ve heard my mother tell the story of how after a heavy fall of snow on January the 5th I854 on going away to his work at the engine sheds at Thorpe and after missing her and me he threw snowballs at the window as she stood inside, little thinking that it would be the last time he would see me or her, he went on to London with his train and coming back they had to work a single line as the other line was blocked by heavy snow storms. They had got as far as Thetford all right, but after leaving that station and getting to about where Rondom station now stands they saw a Ballad train which had been sent to clear the road coming towards them and as his was a passenger train and they were moving fast there was no time to do much. His mate jumped off into the snow and so saved his life and was an engine driver many years afterwards and from whom I got my story after I was grown up, but I remember my father being bought home in his coffin. ................

We were living in Theoulds Buildings near Foundry Bridge, Norwich at the time at the house next to the river in the first row, and there my mother was confined with a little baby girl, which soon died as a result of the shock to my mother. I believe the railway company behaved very well to my mother by paying expenses etc. and they found her employment by fitting the house No 12 Railway Cottages, Thorpe Hamlet, up as a lodging house, fitting it out with bedding and all necessary requisites, and where all the drivers and firemen coming from Stratford to Norwich came to sleep, giving her a weakly wage to look after them from the Barracks as it was called. She remained there for about eighteen years until the men were allowed their expenses and they could go where they liked after keeping the house going for some years after my mother gave up and entered the St. Helens Hospital Bishpsogate St Norwich where she lived 'till she died at the good old age of 85 years.

Now having told you of something of my early surrounding I must begin to tell you something of myself. It appears to me that I went through a course of events without knowing how or why. My life seems to me to open up at No: I2 Railway cottages, Thorpe. I remember that for some time I went to a school in Mariners Lane King St. kept by one Mr North, called Crotchey North from the fact of his having one leg shorter than the other, and thereby having to use a crutch, which he often used to use 'on unruly boys, but, of course, without hurting us. Mr North was a lover of bowls, (not bowls of punch) but of playing bowls. Many a time I have carried the bowls for him down to the Hop Pole Gardens, kept by Mr Harper, and which at that time of day was a popular resort. I did not stay at this school long after we moved to Railway Cottages. My mother then took me to St. Matthews, Thorpe Hamlet School, saw the master and I was admitted. This school was nearer home and I could get home to dinner. It was here and around about Thorpe village that I spent the happiest days of my life. I loved the school and church and all the surroundings.

Thorpe is a lovely place, especially in the summertime, and even now, after a lapse of all these years, I often think of my boyhood days and wonder where all my old schoolmates are. I do not know any now they are all gone out of my life. Everything has altered. The old school has been pulled down and another built further back from the river. But the dear old church is there just the same I think. It is many years since I was in it. Some alterations have been made inside. The old organ which stood at the East End when I was a boy is shifted and the three or four gentlemen of the choir were not to be seen when I last visited it. Oh the dear memories I have of it all. Our schoolmasters name was Mr. Banham and the girls schoolmistress was miss Stacey. I was always full of fun and up to some pranks, and many a time has Mr Banshaw had to stand me out in the aisle of the church to be seen by everyone as a punishment. But I always stuck to my school and church and I often have some hallowed thoughts of that time and place which I shall never forget because I don't want to. I love now to think of that time.

I must pass over the earliest time of my young life and the pranks us boys used to play, climbing trees, jumping dykes and often falling in an d spoiling my clothes and getting a good beating from my mother in consequence. As I grew older through the engine men living at my mothers and living so near the railway, I often got into trouble that way. We used to go down to the engine sheds and clamber about the engines. Sometimes if no one was about, and we got on an engine in steam, we would open up the regulators and move it about. Sometimes I would stand on an engine and meditate, especially if it was an old one marked out for the scrap heap, and think of the times when, in it’s prime it used to go rushing along at 60 miles an hour. But now, alas, it had run it’s last mile and was no more good, except to be melted down again to help make another…………..

These engines and tenders at that time of day, used to stand on a back road behind the engine shops. I got so used to engines that I was practically an engine driver before I left school. I now began to be about 14 years old and after the death of my father, the railway company promised to look after me when I was old enough to go to work. My schoolmaster and the Reverend G Cook, the minister of my church had marked me out for a pupil teacher with the view of becoming a schoolmaster. But it was ruled otherwise. For, on Monday morning while preparing to go to school, Mr. Harper who was then Chief Clerk in Mr Charfields (the loco superintendent) office, came in and said that Mr. Charfield had sent for me and I was to go to the office at once. This news coming so sudden to me, of course delighted me, so instead of going to school I went to work, but I could not reach the desk because I was so small. So Mr Charfield had Harry Burgess, the pattern maker, measure me up for a stool. After that I was all right. All I had to do was grow, as it was arranged that I should stay in the officer until I was old enough to go into the fitting shops to learn a trade. Many things happened while I was in that officer and I went through the usual lot which falls to the lot of the officer boy. But I always had a champion in Mr. Glaze, the loco foreman, and Mr Templeton, the foreman over the wagon shops. On the whole I got on well and learned many things useful to the railway men. It was my job to write out all delays to trains and send to London by the 7.30 am express every morning, taking the mens time in a book expressly the that purpose, issuing out stores for the engine men and, most useful of all to me, I had to look after what was called the Material book. In it was entered every article which goes to make a railroad engine, so that I learnt not only the proper name of every piece of machinery, but also the price. So, by the time I went into the shops I had a gook knowledge of engines in general.

At last I was deemed strong enough to go into the shops and learn a trade, and I chose to be a fitter. First of all I had to go into the Running shed. That is a Shed where engines are put for the night, to be cleaned and have slight repairs done ready to go out next morning. My first start was on a Sunday night for a week on nights, with a fitter named Jack Hubbard. Old Horse he was always called because he was always off work. We all wore white duck jackets and overalls at the time..................

About this time I became a chum of a boy who lived at 19 Railway Cottages named French. His Father was a 8or driver but had gone engine driving in India.

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Hi
I have just been reading the 'memories of Thorpe Hamlet'
and I thought I would like to add my own memories of the time when my family lived at no.13 Weeds Square.
We lived in a 2 up 2 down cottage with gas lights, no indoor toilet, that was up the pathway to the top of the square, where there were a block of I think 3 toilets.
They were all whitewashed, and had wooden seats, with a cistern above your head. We had to share it with our elderly next door neighbour. We too had newspaper squares cut and attached to a string on the wall.
My grandmother who was Mrs Mary South, and was married to Christopher South, lived just doors away from us, as my Grandad worked for the Gas Light Company. Their toilet was across the square in part of the old wall which surrounded Weeds Square.
I was only 7 years old when we left Weeds Square, and we moved to Regina Road, to a 2-bedroomed flat with electricity and a bathroom. It was heaven to have these facilities, as we had none of them in the previous house.
I attended Wolfe Road School, and I remember Mr.Sinclair
as the headmaster. My sister Pat Reeve went to Stuart School, but she had left school when we moved, and she worked for Marks & Spencer. My Aunt Nellie & Uncle Leslie, lived in Egptian Road, and my nanny South lived with them up to her passing. I can remember a boy called Gerald Banthorpe, who's dad was in the army and they lived at the top of the square. We all used to play on Mousehold Heath, and St James Hill was a favourite place to play. I can remember the shops on Bishop Bridge Road, there was Ridgeways the bike shop, Mrs Southgate had the newspaper shop, the Valoris lived in a grand house just down from Sam Ellis's shop and before Alfies chip shop. We used to go in and ask for scraps from Alfie, and he would always give us a load.
My mother was Agnes South, and she had 2 brothers, Dick & George, and 2 sisters Ethel & Nellie. My Dad was Frederic Reeve and he came from the King Street area
and he was in the Royal Norfolks during the 2nd world war, but was wounded in action and had to leave the forces because of this. His brother Alfred Parker was a train driver from Norwich Station, and drove the Norwich - London route in the 50's & 60's.
It was lovely to read all about the history of Thorpe Hamlet, and although it is over 50 years ago that we lived there, we still hold vivid memories of the old houses we had, particulary Friday night bathtime, in the kitchen, water heated from the copper to proved a tin bath full. When I tell my grandchildren about those days, they can hardly belive what we had to endure living in Weeds Square.
Kathleen Adams

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Hello,
I came across your article while looking for information on The Rangers House, as it is now called. I lived there with my parents, my brother and my two sisters from the age of two. We lived there for over twenty years and only moved out a couple of years ago. I have such great memories of running around Mousehold and making dens, it makes me very sad to see the state of the place now, within days of us moving out the house was broken into and vandalised!
The picture of the house is exactly as i remember it, only while we lived there a hedge went all the way round the front of the house.
If you check in the evening news (back issues) you should find some articles about the future of the place.
best regards Peter Moore

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feedback on question from sheree j leeds i went to the same school in the same years with a fred todd who lived in egyptian road which i think was at bottom of ketts hill where the caravan sales are now .
i also remember sheree living on britania road also lizzy cooper and denise youngs.
hope this is some help to you.
barry cock.

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Can you help me. My great great grandfather Robert Hope was a railway worker ( engine maker ) In 1851 he and his family lived at 25 Railway Cottages Carrow Road Thorpe Norfolk.
Would you please tell me if there are any photos of this address.

Robert died March Quarter 1848 Norwich District Vol 13 Page 182. He must have been age 42. I wondered if he may have had an accident at work. He had a daughter Jane Scott Bruce. She married James Bruce Norwich 1848 She is living with her family at Railway Cottages in 1851 she is also a widow age 24. I found a record of death of James Bruce Hartismere 1850.I wondered if he also worked for railway and also had same fate as Robert.

I do hope someone has picture of Railway Cottages. I found record of death of James Bruce 1850 Vol 13
Any help appreciated.  Regards Mrs T Colbeck

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I have recently been doing some research into my great grand father, Colonel John Robert Harvey, who lived at Holmwood, Thorpe. I believe he was born in 1861 and died in 1921. We too found his grave and visited Holmwood a few weeks ago. I was very interested to read that Rob Carman is writing an essay about 1/4 Battn Norfolk Regiment in the Great War, wanting details about Colonel Harvey. I have some details about his family life, which I have gleaned from some notes that my grandmother wrote, which were taken from a book that Colonel Harvey apparently wrote on the Harvey family of Thorpe.
Best wishes
Miriam Hare

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Thank you all for such great memories. I actually lived in Camp Road.

I realise you cannot give me her e-mail address but there is a note on your feedback page two from a Mrs Winsworth who said she remembered the Harry Groom slogan for kippers.
I would love to get in touch with Mrs Winsworth as I used to live next door at no 16. Harry Groom was in fact my step-father. AND my granmother ran the shop !!
If anyone can put me in touch with Mrs Winsworth  I would be very grateful.
Thanks again and good luck with yr pages....
Ted Armiger -- Now residing in Queensland
PS .. The photo of the old Camp Rd wasn't taken from St Leonards Rd. It is in fact taken from Wolfe Rd...

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I believe that the brother and Father shown are not the same. My Regimental list of serving Officers, states that he was the eldest son and his Father was a Colonel.
Cheers Don

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Bob Hope's signature tune was "Thanks for the Memories" and you site certainly has lived up to that.

My recollections include sliding down Gas Hill on the pavement from top to bottom, right across Riverside Road and seeing just how far we could get across Bishopgate Bridge, I only made it halfway, thank goodness there were fewer cars or there would have been a lot less of us today.

I can recall Thorpe Hamlet Primary being fire bombed and my delight at not having to go to school, WRONG, the very next day my teacher a Miss Hansen knocked at my door with homework and the dreadful announcement I would be attending half days at Mrs Lyons house from there on in. When I think of the strikes by teachers I remember her and her dedication she must have stayed up all night putting our work together.

So many memories, so many friends, Molly Finch, Rene Peek, Pat Cunnigham and the Munday girls, Janet Lyons many many more.

Remember Mrs Fiddy who kept the little shop next to Money's Fish Shop? I could go on and on but will end now and thank you once more and I shall certainly be sending for the book.

Eileen (Reeve) Tyrrell.
Trenton. Ont. Canada.

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I noticed on your website that you are very interested in involving local schools. The institute of historic building conservation has recently produced an educational pack on preserving historic buildings/areas: see http://www.ihbc.org.uk/Branches/east_midlands.htm 
Although based on a village in Nottinghamshire, the pack could provide you with some ideas for
Thorpe Hamlet.
Yours faithfully, Chris Bennett
Urban Design and Conservation Officer
Norwich City Council

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I was interested to read the comments of Rob Carman, from the USA, regarding Lieutenant Colonel John Robert Harvey, who hailed from Thorpe. He states a number of items which are incorrect regarding the Colonel.
1, He was commissioned, in to the Militia before joining the 16th Queen's Lancers, as a Ranker. He was commissioned after three years into the 5th Royal Irish Lancers. He later commanded a Squadron of the Suffolk Yeomanry and then the 25th Imperial Yeomanry. Commanded a Squadron of the Norfolk Yeomanry. Served with 1st Volunteer Battalion, Norfolks, before commanding the 4th Battalion, Norfolks. He was in Gallipoli for a lot longer than a few days. He was shipped back to the UK, following illness in December 1915. Having been out there from the August. He then commanded a Unit in France.
His son, was decorated with the MC and Croix de Guerre, for his actions in the Royal Flying Corps. He was shot down and spent some considerable time in hospital, going on half pay in 1918. His Military Cross being presented to him, while in Hospital by King George V.
To say that John Harvey had only " some measured success" is rather a slur on his being issued the Distinguished Service Order. He served in the Army until the age of 57.
Best Wishes
Don McLean

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Hi
You may or may not be able to help.
I am trying to trace a specific place where my grandfather may have been born, all the information I have is that his mother was pregnant and unmarried, possibly very young, and that she may have been sent to a place called Thorpe in Norfolk to have the child in some kind of institution. This would have been either 1905/6/7 (my grandfather never really knew).
If anyone knows of such a place I would be very happy to hear from you.
J Norman

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Hi
Can anyone help me with an address.
It is The Lawns in Thorpe Hamlet
Where is this?
Ian Williams

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I have just visited you web site and noticed in the Feedback section a letter from Bob Carman from Blacksburg, USA enquiring into the burial place of John R Harvey.
I found this grave quite by accident today ( Friday 4th February ) while looking for my relatives in Thorpe Cemetery on Yarmouth Road.
The grave stone is very unusual consisting of a large cross with a sword and belt carved down the centre, the grave also mentions John Edmund Harvey and is quite overgrown.
Ray Wright.

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Whilst doing some research for an article about the Earl of Surrey I came across your site (the link is with the St Leonard Priory that was owned by the Earl in 1535) and think it's great.

I went to Thorpe Hamlet School from 1965 to 1969 and was is a class with a lad called Fred (I don't recall his surname). He lived in Egyptian Road and I wondered if you have any records about this area. It doesn't seem to exist anymore and there's nothing I can find on the internet.

I'm just being nosy of course but your site looked like a good bet.
Keep up the good work. Sheree J Leeds

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My parents and I lived at 9 Primrose Road with my maternal grandmother in 1944-50 and so it was a pleasure to read ‘Memories of Thorpe Hamlet’. Since retiring I have been tracing my family history and now know that:

Mr grandfather ‘rose through the ranks’ of the Railway company and at the time of his death aged 61 in 1939 he was a guard on the expresses from Thorpe Station to Liverpool Street station.  His eldest son also was a railwayman who on his death in 1973 was the senior relief stationmaster in Norfolk. He had lived for most of his married life at 22 Chalkhill Road.

My mother’s diary for 1926 reveals how much the social lives of the many railwaymen living in Thorpe Hamlet was centred on the Railway Social Club on Thorpe Road. It was there that my mother met my father, who was London born but as a railway clerk had been posted to Norwich, and it was in the Ailwyn Hall that their wedding reception was held, as was that of her eldest brother and her sister. After my parents and I moved to Norwich in 1944 when I was twelve, I found out at first hand what a large part was played by ‘The Club’ in the life of railwaymen and their families. My mother became the secretary of the Ladies Section and the Ladies Bowling Team. It was there that I first saw snooker being played and in so doing met Herbert Bushell  (featured on p. 113) who was in the snooker room every evening, and from whom I learnt a lot about the art of canny safety play which served well my misspent youth  several years later when I became the snooker champion of Bristol University.

The following memories that you record served to jolt my own memory:

p. 41 Thurstons Yard – one of the Thurston daughters was a friend of my mother’s – I can’t be sure but I think her name was Maggie;

p. 69 & 138 Turner’s baker’s shop at the bottom of Quebec Road.  Most of our grocery shopping was done at the Coop at the top of St. Matthews Road, but occasionally I was sent on an errand to Turners. In contrast to the boring and often stale Coop bread I well remember, the golden crispy crust around the moist new bread inside was an exciting change. I have vague memories of breaking off a piece on the way home and receiving a telling off for so doing. And of course Pye’s fish shop - but until reminded, I had forgotten its name. I didn’t know that the baker’s name was Hickling. This intrigues me since one of my mother’s aunts married a Frederick Hickling who became the baker in Hempnal. Perhaps they were related.   

p. 70 Week’s the barber  - that’s where I got my short back and sides for six years.

p. 124  Scotts Memorial Chapel. I have no personal memories of it but my mother was a member of the choir, and a Sunday school teacher there. She told me many times of her admiration as a young woman for the minister there in the 1920s, and that she had always wanted to be married by him. Evidently this minister was in the long tradition of some sections of  the Methodist church that closely linked its Christian and socialist beliefs. From what I remember, she had bitter memories of a split in the congregation which led to the replacement of her much loved minister by another with a different approach to the linkage between Christianity and socialism. She never went back to Scott Memorial Chapel again and was married much to her disappointment in the parish church of St. Matthews.

p.142 Ager’s milk bottle. I have clear memories of Mr. Ager delivering milk from a churn. I have vague memories of a severe winter when the churn was on a sled pulled by a dog – can this be true?

Finally you mention in several places the panoramic views of the City from some of the larger houses in Thorpe Hamlet. Can I put in a ‘claim’ that the best view of the City is from the back gardens of houses 3-9 Primrose Road that extends from the spire of the Cathedral on the right to the tower of the church at the eastern end of Ber Street (St John de Sepulchre?) on the left. The land drops away sharply at the end of these garden so the roofs of the houses on Beatrice Road are well below eye level. I am reminded by this steep drop of the six years I went to and from the City of Norwich School each day. Down the hill to Riverside but up the hill along Rose Lane and Cattle market and usually late.

Once again, many thanks for a wonderful trip down memory lane.
John Beetlestone 

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I wonder if anyone can help me. Even though I am originally from the Wymondham area, I live in the US and only rarely get to Norfolk amd so I am hoping you may be able to plug a couple of gaps in my knowledge.

I am collecting information on JR Harvey for a short essay I am writing about the 1/4th Battn Norfolk Regiment in the Great War. He was from Thorpe, Harvey Road may have been named for his family. His older brother - not from Thorpe - was Sir Charles Harvey 2nd Baronet. His father - the 1st Baronet and a Victorian wool merchant - was MP for Thetford. Working out of the Maids Head and in conjunction with the Loyal Suffolk Hussars, Harvey, previously a gentleman ranker in the 5th lancers, formed two squadrons of Imperial Yeomanry to serve in South Africa. He was CO of one squadron. After some measured successes in the 2nd Anglo-Boer he was awarded the DSO. On his return to Norwich he became Mayor for 1902.

In 1908 or so, he became Lt Col and head of the 1/4th (Territorial) Battalion, Norfolk regiment, a position held by his older brother Sir Charles. During the Great war, Harvey was in theater at Gallipoli for only a handful of days because his officers, almost mutinoulsy, rejected him as their CO. After the war he wrote a history of the 1/4th Battn. (Sir Charles' History of the 1/4ths ended in 1898 or so.) In 1921 or 1922, Harvey was found shot dead in his garden at Thorpe.

I am very interested in his death. Was it an accident or suicide or murder? Is he buried in a churchyard at Thorpe (which church)? Can you help me with any of these points please?

Rob Carman
Blacksburg,
USA.

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I was very interested to read "Memories of Thorpe Hamlet", as I was a resident of Thorpe Hamlet for many years, coming to live in Quebec Road at the age of 3 years, attending the infant school, junior school and Stuart girls.

I enjoyed a wonderful childhood there, spending fun time on the beautiful Mousehold Heath,. I remember Money"s fish shop, Billy Miller the grocer, the Quebec and William IV pubs. I was there also during the war years, the junior and infant school burning down, the Ravens shop and Vincent Road being bombed etc. As a teenager I went dancing at the Ailwyn Hall, meeting my future husband there. We were married in the old St Mathews church in 1945.

We left Thorpe Hamlet around l950 living in a council flat in West earlham, later we bought a house in Primrose Road, our 2 sons went to thorpe Hamlet Schools, in l965 we came to Australis but I will always have happy memories of my years in the "Hamlet".
Mary Cowell formerly Mary Rowe.

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I noticed today that you have several references on your Thorpe Hamlet site to Mousehold. My great grandfather, Benjamin Burdett, was for many years ( including the WW1 years) Heath Ranger on Mousehold Heath.He and his family lived at "The Lodge"- although they always referred to it as " Rangers Cottage ".

Over the past few years I have tried, in vain, to find out if it still survives - I wonder if any Thorpe natives remember it ? I visited Mousehold Heath 4 years ago but failed to find it. I have a photograph of "Rangers Cottage" and a couple of my great grandfather in his Ranger's uniform.

Benjamin Burdett must have been Heath Ranger for at least 30 years. He appears in the 1904 Kelly's Directory and the photograph of him with his grandchildren, Brenda,Colin, Bryan and Bernard Roche, was taken in the mid 1930s.
My grandmother, Beatrice Burdett, remembered the First World War years vividly because her parents were so sorry for the young soldiers from the Britannia Barracks who were on their way to an awful fate. The Burdett sisters, in their teens at the time, were told by their mother to always spare time for a chat with these boys, because they might never return.Ranger Burdett turned a blind eye to the many card games going on amongst the trees and bushes on the Heath, although this activity was illegal at the time, and it was his duty to report it.In the 1930's my mother and her brothers enjoyed many happy holidays with their grandparents, the Heath being a wonderful playground.I believe that the only child of Benjamin Burdett who remained in Norwich during adult life was the youngest, Lottie ( or "Dot"), who married Arthur Dungar and lived in Sprowston.

Beatrice married Bernard Roche who lived at 30 Chalk Hill Road, Thorpe Hamlet during his childhood.Any memories would be gratefully received, especially the whereabouts or fate of " Ranger's Cottage".

With thanks for your interesting website, Kind regards, Marilyn Hall.

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My name is David Eaton and I am trying to contact Bob Cowell (in Australia), who responded to Memories of Thorpe Hamlet below. I was his "best mate" that he mentioned in his article. I am living in Toronto, Canada, and have not spoken to Bob since he emigrated to Australia forty years ago. I have been trying to contact him for ages (without success), and to see his name in the "feedback" section on the website, simply took my breath away.
Your book, incidentally, is fabulous!
David Eaton

Bob if you see this please contact us at the website e-mail address above as your original e-mail has sadly been deleted.

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Hi
What a delight to view your 2004 Calender and spot my late grandfather in his cap in 1967.

His name is Frank Rackham and he and his family (Rose wife – Children: Olive, Margaret, Stanley, Bob, And Malcolm) lived locally. He worked for years at Startrites shoe factory and walked everywhere. The family are delighted at this new (old!) picture.
Rod Corke

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Thank you very much for a wonderful book of memories. I am Michael Ager Grandson of William Ager, who owned the Dairy on Ketts Hill,

I was amazed to see a milk bottle from my grandfather’s dairy.

I wonder if anyone has one of the bottles still, so that I could purchase, it would be nice to have one back in the family.  (If you have one or could locate one, e-mail us at the address above  -  webmaster) I am also looking for any photos of Albert place before demolition. We moved into the end Terrace house in Albert Place from Gertrude Road so that my Farther could be closer to the dairy on 98 Ketts Hill, I believe it was no8 around 1946 I was about 2 years of age they were two up two down, toilet block in the yard with two out side taps to service about six homes no8 was lucky enough to have a kitchen and wash house with a coal fired copper for doing the laundry, We moved to London in 1959.

I have many pleasant memories of Thorpe Hamlet one being the time I used to play up at Mousehold house with a pal (Malcolm Kemp) when Captain Hammond and his sister were living there (Had my first experience in driving a car in the grounds disastrous).
Mike

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Have just bought your book ,could not put it down . My parents lived at 23 providence place where i was born in 1944.we lived there till 1959 when we moved to cadge close on the Larkman estate .  My parents where Ernest and Anne Read my name is Adrian and my sister's Glynis . I was born in 1944 my sister 1949. My dad was in the home guard on duty at the nest. He worked at Thomsons metal works as a tinsmith. When both us kids left home mum and dad moved back to Gueph road. I have lots of memories of Thorpe Hamlet including sledging down Gas hill and being told off by the workers at the gas works. please get in touch.
Adrian

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Lovely to see via the website that my old home (and birthplace) St. Leonards Priory, brought interest and memories to others, especially Graeme Talboys. I remember you Graeme!
The house was demolished in the late 1970's I think and there are now two houses on the site - not bad considering the garden covered two acres. It was a big, rambling house with seven bedrooms and that and the garden made it a perfect hide-and -seek haven for us children. Much of the garden was very steep wooded banks and the bird life was fascinating.
The history of the house is well chronicled in various publications, including "Memories of Thorpe Hamlet".
 Does anyone remember the flower/produce shows held every spring/autumn at Wellesley Avenue Infant School in the 1950's and 60's? My father Alfred Surridge, was very involved in the running of them, - and indeed won many cups for his exhibits - and whenever I enter a flower tent anywhere now, the smell takes me right back to those shows.
My thanks to my long term friend Joanna Eagles (nee Wickham) for posting this e-mail - I am a computerless techno-phobe!
 
LORNA HEWITT

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Greetings from an ex-pat:
My parents, Bill and Rita (Henry) Rush, and my brother, Martyn, and I, used to live at 32 Chalkhill Road in the early 1950's. My mother was born in Camp Road to Walter and Roseann Henry. The Henrys then went on to live in Egyptian Road. Our family emigrated to the US in 1957.
Best Regards, Paul Rush

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I have recently discovered that my great grandfather - CURTIS, William Bertie was born in Railway Cottages, Thorpe Hamlet in 1876.
His mother - Louisa Curtis, was unmarried at the time of birth and I believe William was born at his grandparents house, which was number 10, although he may have been brought up at number 16. His grandparents were James and Ann Curtis.

I was wondering whether in any of your collections, including your recent book publication, whether you have any photographs around the period 1860 to 1890 of the railway cottages or railway staff. James Curtis was a railway carriage examiner.

I look forward to hearing from anyone with any information

Becky Robinson

It will take some time to check but perhaps other website visitors may have information.
The book team

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Your book on Thorpe Hamlet is very good, I am reading it at the moment.
I wonder if you can help me please.
I'm trying to find a Frederick Albert Harrison who lived at 43 Ketts Hill, Thorpe Hamlet who was a Railway Clerk (Thorpe Station ?)
He was married at St Matthews Church on the 14 November 1925 to Emma Amelia Field
His farther was a bricklayer Thomas Harrison
of the same address.
Can you help or put me on the right track.
 
 Thanks  W J Sayer

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Hi
Would anyone know Joseph Ward and Kate nee Lay, my Gt. Grandparents who lived on Thorpe Road as farmers. Joseph died in 1908 and Kate 1923. They later lived in a row of cottages just below where my Grandparents William and Hilda (nee Ward) lived on Ella Road. My father Leonard Wright was born at Ella Road in 1915 and went to school there.
Apart from my father, the family are buried in The Rosary.
Linda
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Thank you for a wonderful book and well done to everyone that helped to bring this book to print. I have lived in Thorpe Hamlet all my 50 years except for 3 years when I was first married. I live next door to my parents in Montcalm Rd who have been hear since 1942 There have been two Shailer families living on the road on and off for all this time. My grandfather who was a train driver used to drive the steam loco no 70013 Oliver Cromwell from Norwich to London. This loco was at Bressingham until a few weeks ago when it was moved to York railway centre to be restored to mainline working, and when my son visited Bressingham on a school trip ( Thorpe Hamlet Middle) and saw on the firebox door of this steam loco the name of Bill Shailer scratched in the metal he couldn't believe his eyes so I had to tell him about his great grandfathers job and how he also lived on Montcalm Rd. Talking with friends after a night out last night who also live on Montcalm Rd for many years, we were trying to think of the names of all the shops in the hamlet since 1953, please can you help with this one. We remeber Money fish and chip shop, Arthertons , Yaxleys all on the corners of Wolfe Rd and Quebec Rd, a shop in the Camp Rd area which I think was Borrets, Frosts wool shop on Plumstead Rd and some others which were on Wolf Rd near the schools Valori fish and chip shop was one cant think of the name of other two, one was butcher. Must go now but I think another book must be on the cards maybe called Thorpe Hamlet revisited.
Many thanks again for a job well done.
Regards David F shailer
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I was also interested to see the photos of St Leonards Priory and wondered if anyone had got back to you about its history after the few comments from other people on this page?
A Walker
So far no, but we would be delighted to learn more.
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I remember the catchphrase that Harry Groom used to use at his shop in Camp Road.
"Harry Grooms boneless kippers are very good for growing nippers"
Mrs Winsworth
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Dear Sir,
I have a photograph of Vincent Road, probably taken about 1912, soon after the houses were built, which shows the late Mr Billy Miller (then a very young man) with his fruit and vegetable cart. For many years he kept a greengrocery shop at 111, Quebec Rd, and between the wars he and his daughter Audrey were a familiar sight with their cart on the roads around Kett's Hill.
Yours sincerely
Peter Woods
Wolfe Rd
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I am writing to you as I am tracing my family tree and have found that my great grandfather William Henry Rushmer was born in your village in 1859.
Are there any Rushmer's still in your village related to the above mentioned?
 thank you 
Jane Lyons
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I was having another look at the site today and saw the photos of St Leonards Priory. I was really sad to see that it had been demolished all those years ago. I take it this was for housing?
 
If my memory serves me right (and it's not that good, these days) I went to school with someone called Lorna Surridge whose family lived in the Priory (this was the early 60s).
I went there a few times and recall the inside of the house being spooky (not helped by the telling of ghost stories) and of there being extensive gardens (probably made larger by my being small).
 
Do you have any information on the building and its fate? If so, I'd love to hear.
 
Graeme Talboys
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I have recently purchased at auction a writing box, in which I found the inscription "H A Ramesay, Riverside Road, Thorpe Hamlet 1897". I now know from your excellent web-site that the river towpath became Riverside Road sometime after 1853, but does anyone have any information about H A Ramesay?
Owen Garmon
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I was interested to read the entries by Graeme Talboys on the website re. his childhood recollections of the Thorpe Hamlet area. I was in the same class at Thorpe Hamlet Junior School but I would guess that he might not remember me, - I have made up for it since but I was a very quiet child.
Graeme recalls playing at St. Leonard's Priory with Lorna Surridge and the Fisher twins. I too was friends with Lorna and indeed still am, a friendship stemming from meeting en route to school in Wolfe Road and our shy exchange of " Are you a Brownie?" and "How many gold stars have you got?" to the present day. We were both invited to the 'book launch' and indeed together presented ourselves as his 'star' pupils to Tony Ireland, who we were privileged to have as our teacher for two of our four years at Thorpe Hamlet.
I too lived on St. Leonard's Road (for the first ten years of my life from 1953) and have fond memories of playing at the Priory. As for its haunting my mother always claims to have seen the ghost one evening when she and my father were collecting me by car but we think the explanation was that some of Mr. Surridge's white shirts were blowing in the wind from the washing line at the rear of the house !! Yes it was a lovely house in a grand setting and it is hardly surprising that Lorna's parents stayed twenty four years, - the house actually belonged to a retired Reverend but it was clearly not the average rented property !!
Graeme mentions the swimming pool at Thorpe Hamlet School. Both my brother and I attended the school and because of this connection my father became involved in the pool's construction, most weekends at the time of building he would be working with Mr. Sinclair, the headmaster, and other dads. Upon its completion he presented the school with a scale model showing the various stages of construction. I know this model was around for a number of years. I wonder if the pool is still functional ? [it is - webmaster]
Finally, one particular schooldays memory of Graeme Talboys: Mr. Ireland announced in one of our 'singing sessions' in the hall that when he walked along the row and lightly touched a pupil on the shoulder he would expect this pupil to sing the next verse solo. I can still remember the feeling of fear of being the chosen one and the feeling of relief when I found it was not me. Graeme WAS the chosen one and became the class hero for the day when he sang his verse of 'Speed Bonny Boat' nervously but extremely boldly !
 Joanna Eagles (nee Wickham)
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It is with great sadness that I must report that my father Alfred Shailer has passed away after a short illness in the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on the morning of Saturday the 10th of July at the age of 88 years. Alf as he was known, had lived in Montcalm Road since 1943 and in his retirement years was often seen walking from his home upto the shops and post office at the Heartsease pushing his 4 wheel shopping trolley ( or his company vehicle as family and friends would say) along Plumstead Road. Alf was always dressed in suit and a tie even in hot weather, and in winter long black coat and brown Russian type hat.He leaves a wife Elsie whom he was married to for 62 years, and his son David (myself) daughter in law Sue, and grandchildren, Damian, Nathan, Kirstin.May I thank the many people who knew my father for their kind words of sympathy since seeing the notice of his death in the Evening News. Alf loved Thorpe Hamlet and the people and enjoyed stopping and talking with them on his outings to the shops I know that he will be sadly missed by my family but also those who used to stop and talk with him.
Regards David F Shailer

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A second cousin was born in the Aspland Road Maternity Home circa 1925-27 and I believe it was bombed during the war. 
 
On my Grand father's marriage certificate 1888 his place of residence was given as 3 Chalkwell Riva Road, Thorpe Hamlet.
 
I would like to find out more about both the Maternity Home and Chalkwell Riva Road  if possible. Can you help in anyway?
Margaret Williams
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Do you have any details relating to the small shop which stood at the bottom of Gas Hill (opposite Kings Arms Public House.
I recall in period 1947-1950 being asked by my parents to collect a pint of vinegar from the barrel almost every week. At the foot of Gas Hill was a telephone box with a lamp post close by. Having collected the vinegar I used to hide behind this box and sip away at the vinegar. Needless to say, when I arrive home my parents were somewhat upset at the "reduced pint" and duly took it out on my rear end.
I have spent many hours playing in Lollards Pit with my friends - the Wallers and Dares and have good memories of a girl friend (Bernice Vickers) who lived at the very top of Gas Hill. Those were the days?
Malcolm Harrington

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Seeing the ‘Thorpe Hamlet’ calendar produced great feelings of nostalgia. I lived for the first 18 years of my life in Thorpe Hamlet and returning back here after 33 years the calendar’s pictures brought back vivid memories. Turner’s bakery I remember well and across the road was Pye’s grocery shop and behind that their fish and chip shop. I seem to remember that one of the Pyes held the record for catching the largest pike.
I was born in Aspland Road maternity home, bombed in 1941. We lived in Ella Road and Hitler had another go at eliminating me when he bombed the school opposite and devastated the other end of the road. Although I could only have been 4 years old I still have very clear memories of my mother putting my sister and me under the bed and the windows blowing in. Also, I remember my father, a policeman, collecting unexploded incendiary bombs and laying them in our hallway with instructions ‘not to touch them’.
Mention D-Day and memories flood back. We’d got used to seeing hundreds of aircraft in the sky each morning but on June 6th, every aircraft had been painted with three black bands around each wing and its fuselage. We subsequently learnt that this was a way of helping identify friendly aircraft with so many in the air.
Two of my other memories of the war were; my father carrying to the air raid shelter that he had built at the end of our garden and seeing a V1 flying bomb putt-putting across the sky. The noise stopped and father ran with us into the shelter. Even more clearly do I remember the V2 rocket landing on Hellesdon if only because my mother had had all of her teeth removed in preparation for false ones. We were all sitting round the table not daring to move or make a sound when there was this tremendous explosion. It may have been a couple of miles away but the effect, on my mother, and the rest of the family was spectacularly dreadful. She was convinced that we had somehow planned this and we escaped to bed to avoid more aggravation!
My final memory of the war was building a bonfire on the bombsite at the bottom of Hill House Road, to be lit when victory was achieved. Victory was announced latish in the evening and everybody in the Coach & Horses came out and set light to our bonfire! It took a long while for us children to forgive the adults for that!
Mike Beardwood
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I have just purchased a copy of the calendar and was delighted to see in the November picture of the ARP Wardens, my mother and aunt. They are in the middle row, 4th and 5th from the left, the twins Gladys Violet Clayden and Helen Daisy Clayden (later married at St. Matthews and became Helen Ward). They lived at 76 Vincent Road throughout the War years. My mother Helen died a few years ago but my aunt Gladys is fit and well and lives in Knebworth, Hertfordshire. I am sending her a copy of the calendar which I am sure she will treasure.

- John Ward.
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Hi, what a wonderful website you have , I left Thorpe Hamlet in Nov 65 to emigrate to Australia. I too have very fond memories of this top location.
The photo of the Stuart school caught my attention though, correct me if i'm wrong but the terrace houses that are in the background , I'm sure are on Primrose rd , I used to live at number 44, and i f you look closely, I'm also sure two houses that back onto that photo got demolished in 1964 approx , because there was a subsidence, caused by moving sand under those two terraced houses.
Would anybody know whether those two houses ever got rebuilt over the years? I also remember fondly the two semi detached houses at the top of Hill house rd nos 26 and 28 I think they were , my best mate lived in the left one , they also backed right on to the Crome and Stuart school playground.
Thank you for these memories , I hope to come back for a visit one day.
Regards Bob Cowell.
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Fascinated by the site (and can't wait to see more photos). I lived on Beatrice Road for about five or six years from 1960ish to 1965 (not exactly sure when we moved there from Sprowston as I was still in short trousers and more interested in making the boot of my trike rattle as loudly as possible when I pedalled about).
 
I attended Wolfe Road Junior (now a Middle School I believe) and always cut up through the back-doubles of St Leonard's Road. Friends at school included twins whose father once rode for the speedway team, and a girl whose family lived in an old Priory? Surridge, I think the surname was. My best friend also lived on Beatrice Road, one Gary Smith, who went into the RAF I believe like his brother and sister.
 
I remember how Beatrice Road would fill up with cars on a home match Saturday (and my Dad would take me down to Carrow Road if he wasn't working at the foundry on Coslany Street). Basking sharks in the river there one summer. Going down to play in the meadow by Cow Tower and being scared by my brother with ghost stories.
 
At age eleven I went to CNS (and was not very happy there as all my friends went to Hewitt). We left in 1965 to live in East Sussex, but I still have fond memories of the time I lived there and the exciting places there were for a child to play, as well as being within easy reach of the City centre which I visited regularly to wander on my own around the museums and cathedral.
 
I dare say it has changed enormously. I've never been back and would probably mourn the loss of all the small green spaces and wonder at how small it all would seem.
 
Well, that was a disorganised trip down Memory Lane. Will have to get my thoughts in order and see if I can't recall a few names. Mr Breen and Mr Ireland were two of my teachers. Open air swimming pool. Meat pie and cabbage for dinner. Films in the hall at the end of term. Hmmm.
 
Anyway, thanks again for the site. Hope it flourishes.
 
Graeme K Talboys
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"Lovely to see the photo of me and my brothers hanging out outside the Ship. I remember the day Sheila took that photo, none of us wanted to her to do it, but she was insistent, since the building was due for imminent demolition, hence the rather reluctant, fed -up poses. Glad to see she is still torturing us with it to this day!!!! Well done with the project, Thorpe Hamlet still holds very fond memories for me.
All the best Mary Keith."
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