Lost Norwich - Redwell Street/Princes Street

[@antonchristian873]

Another great post ! my doctors was on Princes St ( Dr Lofting ) 1978, I also spent a lot of time in 'Whites pub on Queen St where I did my courting, and got engaged to a lovely local girl !

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

That's great! Thanks for your memories!

[@borleyboo5613]

What a gorgeous part of Norwich. There are some lovely old buildings there, but many more have been lost. Such a shame. The streets back then had so much character with the old buildings and alleyways. Another very interesting video. Thank you. 😊

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

Thank you. It certainly is a very attractive area.

[@bryanhowes8857]

Absolutely love these videos of old Norwich.

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

Thank you, glad you like them.

[@geoffpoole483]

Fascinating as always, John. Most of your videos show how Norwich has changed over the years. For example the Norwich Post was a provinicial newspaper which would have had a wide circulation within the city and surrounding areas; today newspaper circulation has shrunk.

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

Interesting you should say that Geoff, I'm currently working on a video about Norwich's old newspapers!

[@theoloyla]

@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich My dad worked for ECN as a compositor from 1949 until he retired in 1989. Many happy memories of the paper. Give me a ring if you wanna chat

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

@@theoloyla thank you for that, much appreciated. I have actually just finished the video, and scheduled it for future public viewing (that's simply how I do it) but if you'd like to email [e-mail], I can send it to you to see what you think.

[@2islandresort757]

Really enjoyed this fascinating trip down memory lane (streets) - many thanks.

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

Thank you - glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@martinthirkettle599]

Another fascinating video Mr A. Pleased to see that many of the buildings fronting Princes Street have retained so much of their original character.

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

Thank you Mr T. I agree with you. But then I'd always agree with Mr T. Most people would!

[@The_Brit_Girls]

Such a beautiful and historic area of Norwich. I enjoyed learning more about its history. It was interesting that Armada House was so named because it was said that they used timbers from the Armada ships. I liked the fun questions at the end regarding the cathedral spire and the keyboard. I need to walk that way and take a look for myself! Great video!

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

Thank you! Yes you should try and find the keyboard. I knew it was there, but had to go back a second time to find it!

[@mariuszzaborowski]

One of the most beautiful Norwich areas. It is worth walking around even if you are local.

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

Absolutely, it's superb!

[@elizabethabbott9177]

Lovely old Norwich. It's interesting how the juxtaposition of old and new make each building pop.

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

That's a very nice description!

[@hetaera3418]

Another great video. An ex-girlfriend worked at Tipsy Jar when it was called the Tap House. She and her colleagues were convinced there was a ghost who, in life, was connected with the Temperance Movement and objected most strongly to the sale of alcohol on the premises. Beer bottles would slide across shelving in the cellar and smash on the floor. Soft drinks would not. Spooky stuff.

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

That's a great story! Thank you. Spirits affecting spirits....

[@adrianrutterford762]

Wonderful, as always. Thank you.

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

Thank you too!

[@peterjameson321]

Thank you John, as always a great presentation. I'm heading for Princes Street tomorrow with new eyes. I've just got to find that keyboard too!

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

That's great! Good luck in finding the keyboard. I expect evidence!

[@peterjameson321]

@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich 👍😁

[@mariuszzaborowski]

As always, lots of interesting facts 👍

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

Thank you, glad you liked it. As you say in your other comment, it's well worth a stroll around the area.

[@davegoldsmith4020]

Another fine and interesting video John, it’s an area which I think is between areas, not so much a place to visit, in its own right, but interesting to pass through to head to the cathedral for example. I mentioned in a previous video about the jolly butchers and my brother in law singing there, it was with the Geoffrey Kelly you mention in this video.

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

Ah, that's amazing, I had no idea of that connection!

[@CheapoCardCompany]

Great video, as always, John... I have a pic’ of the ‘computer keyboard’ from 2007 (before it looked quite so ‘crashed’)... blimey, I must be getting on these days, if my own photos would qualify as ‘historic’ shots (he he).

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

Ha ha, nice one!

[@mariuszzaborowski]

These trams demolished a lot of nice buildings and did not last too long anyway...

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

It's quite surprising really that they were only here for 35 years. I read an account of the excitement in the city on the night of their arrival in 1900.

[@simongee8928]

Not dissimilar to the way that the council swept away many historic buildings in it's 'brave new world' rebuilding of the city centre in the sixties.

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

@@simongee8928 that's right. I think that means we should treasure what we still have, and Princes Street in particular is a good example of that.

[@andrewgill7398]

I was on site when the rear of the E D P offices was demolished and Lawrence House build behind it and wrapping round Cinema City. Bomb proof, concrete, printing presses had been built during the war, in the basement. The work to break them out looked horrendous. Heyhoe's man, Any Weston, had a licence to use dynamite, so we blew them up! ( but the Luftwaffe didn't)

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

Fantastic story, thank you Andrew!

[@RantamA]

The keyboard was done as a joke by an Art student (at the nearby NUA) who had made a mould for a project she was working on at the time and decided to push it into the wet concrete. The builders didn't seem to notice or thought it funny and so it sits there to this day!

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

That's a great story, thank you! I thought it had a connection with NUA, but didn't know that detail, so thanks for adding it here!

[@RantamA]

@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich I only know because a local youtuber (nostalgianerd) did a whole episode on it and was able to locate the person who did it and interview her where she shares actual images of her doing it etc, well worth a look if you have time. Turns out she's now a graphic designer and has worked on films such as Harry Potter, Starwars and the likes! I love Norwich and your videos are brilliant so thanks you!

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

@@RantamA thank you very much, I'll check out that video. Good that she has gone on to have successes.

[@johnmortimer1308]

Those timbers floated a long way from the Irish Sea Lots of buildings have this claim and thought to be bogus

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

It was a long time ago! I'm not going to dispute their claim😃

[@richardarmed4847]

Killjoy!!

[@skillionaire]

John, there was a restaurant that occupied number 17 Princes Street back in the early 80s and I'm struggling to find the name or any photo evidence. Any ideas? Thanks for the great video.

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

I'm sorry I don't know. If you're on Facebook you could ask on one of the Norwich related pages. Thanks for your comment.

[@andrewgrant7286]

Ok, I give up, I've walked the length of Redwell Street & Princes Street a couple of times now and can't find the keyboard, can someone please enlighten me...

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

Ha ha, very good! Thanks for trying. It's near St Peter Hungate Church/Elm Hill, set in the pavement on the northern side of the street.

[@andrewgrant7286]

@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich Thanks for your reply John, will look again when I'm in the city, and keep up the good work 👍

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

@@andrewgrant7286 thanks Andrew, I'll try!

[@johnmortimer1308]

What happened to Geoff Kelly Is he still around ?

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

I don't know I'm afraid. Someone reading this might know.

[@vs123]

I like town old

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

It is superb!

[@allancrotch2953]

Great as always Mr Atkins

[@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich]

Thank you, glad you liked it 👍