It Happened in Norwich: 1954-1959

Events in Norwich between 1954 and 1959.

1) The beginning of the building work on the bomb site at Orford Place. Filmed over a period of time, this shows building work as well as Curls department store at various stages of its development. 2) The procession through the streets of Norwich of Bertram Mills Circus. Elephants and other acts are shown parading along London Street and Gentlemen's Walk. 3) At the passing out parade at the Britannia Barracks, soldiers march past. The Lord Mayor, Mr. R.H. Mottram, takes the salute and the presentation of the regiment. There is a family scene and the band is seen playing. 4) The development of Curls is complete. There is also a shot of a policeman directing traffic. 5) 1959. Football Norwich City V Sheffield United. F.A. Cup Sixth Round Replay. Crowds are seen approaching the ground and queuing for tickets as far back as King Street. Newspaper clippings of Norwich City's cup run are inserted. There is a shot of Carrow Bridge with the Boom Towers in the background. 6) The Royal Norfolk Show. Shots are darkened because of an eclipse. One of the earliest shows at the purpose built showground at Costessey, the events shown are in the arena and include; hackney carriages, show jumping, heavy horses, bands marching, and the hounds and hunt. The Queen Mother was in attendance. There are also shots of stands and of steam engines. 7) January 29th, 1955. The Band of the Grenadier Guards. The band marches through the streets and outside City Hall. They are watched by the Lord Mayor and other civic and military dignitaries. 8) The Lord Mayor and a procession entering and leaving the Cathedral. Shots of an athletics meeting. 9) Tommy Trinder at Yarmouth, where he was appearing at the Windmill Theatre. Back in Norwich, the band of the Coldstream Guards are shown parading through Norwich, past the City Hall and the Guildhall to the Cathedral and later along Tombland and Upper King Street.

Featured Buildings

Norwich City Hall; The Guildhall; Curls Department Store, Norwich; Britannia Barracks; Carrow Bridge; Norwich Castle; Norwich Cathedral; The Royal Norfolk Showground, Costessey; The Windmill Theatre, Great Yarmouth

Featured Events

The arrival of Bertram Mills Circus; A passing out parade at the Britannia Barracks, 1954; Norwich City v Sheffield United, F.A. Cup Sixth Round Replay, 1959; The Royal Norfolk Show

Keywords

Agricultural shows; Building construction; Circuses; Department stores; Football matches; Military bands; Military parades; Royalty

Intertitles

1954. After 12 years, work on the Orford Place shopping centre commences. May 1st, 1954. Passing out parade at Britannia Barracks.The Lord Mayor (Mr. R.H. Mottram) takes the salute.1956 sees the development of Orford Place complete. Yes, and we still had a traffic policeman.March 1st, 1959. BBC news flash. At Norwich, extra police called in to control queue for sale of cup-tie tickets for 6th round replay. Norwich City V Sheffield United.'The Show Business.' 10 shots from this film was shown by Anglia Television at 10.30 pm June 26th, 1972. Note the effect the eclipse had on the show.January 29th, 1955. Band of the Grenadier Guards visit the City.

Other Places

Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

Background Information

Curls Department Store. This was used as a water tank for fire purposes during the war. Later it served as a car park before the store was rebuilt. Norwich City. Norwich City V Sheffield United. Having drawn at Sheffield, 1 - 1, Norwich City won the replay at Carrow Road 3 - 2. Their goals came from Brennan and two from Bly. The attendance was 38,000 and netted Norwich City receipts of ?6,000. They lost the semi-final to Luton Town. Having drawn the first match at White Hart Lane, they lost the reply at St. Andrews, Birmingham.The Royal Norfolk Show. The Royal Norfolk Show moved to its permanent base at Costessey in 1954. The Grenadier Guards. The Grenadier Guards were in the City on a recruitment drive.