These roads run either side of the thirteenth century city wall, which remains the one constant feature in the area - although, as the video shows, it had disappeared from view for a while!
A gripping story told in pictures. Who knew that so much of the old city wall was hidden behind nondescript residential streets! In the 60s the little mediaeval wall tower stub left incongruously on a grass island in front of the ugly "St Stephens" multi-storey car park was trumpeted by the council etc. as a landmark preservation project. But the pictures you post of all these other more substantial and continuous sections of wall uncovered subsequently truly put this to shame. The new buildings erected aren't hideous at all, the redeveloped areas look pleasant and welcoming enough to walk through - so a fair (if begrudging hehe) nod of respect to the council and developers both. (The late 50s onwards St Stephens Street new bland eyesore additions are best passed over in silence. When pulled down in turn they rightly attract no regrets).
Thank you John. Another great video! Two things come to my mind, firstly I've been told that there is a police practice firing range under the Chapelfield roundabout at the top of Grapes Hill. That might be urban folklore, so if anyone can either confirm or refute it, it'd be great. The second thing is fact. The huge granite cylinders for seating in Starling Place off Coburg Street are in fact part of a cocoa bean grinding machine from the old chocolate factory. Each one originally had a plaque in its centre saying this, but sadly the plaques were brass and were stolen as soon as thieves found that they could be prised off.
Nice one John, happy memories of the champion public house, Back in 1973-4 it was run by a nice lady called Conney and her son Timmy. I used to go in there Sunday night, and play darts. I made friends with Timmy, little did I know he would walk through into the snug and chat with my future wife and her brother, i did not know them then. We met Timmy after we met and married, It was only then we found out he knew us both from the pub.
My Great Uncle lived on Coberg Street and he was an Assistant Porter at Victoria Station. He died in 1917 at The Somme and has no known grave. He was 22. My Great Aunt never remarried.
When that was knocked down in the late 60s, I remember seeing plasterwork attached to the city wall which had been used as the rear wall of some houses. Saved a few bob in bricks, I suppose.
Ahh, many happy memories John - ! I grew up in the Crescent and this whole area was my playground. In the shot of Coach & Horses Row, the raised block flowerbed in the middle distance is the site of a wee sweetshop run by a Mrs. Burgess who we frequented until she retired and the area was redeveloped. So we moved our patronage to Gibsons, the newsagent, sweetshop shown at the end of Vauxhall Street. Such a shame that the Drill Hall was demolished, although my dad, who fortunately had some influence, was able to prevent the dual carriageway being run nearer the Crescent which would have resulted in all the trees and shrubs along the line of Chapelfield Road being ripped up.
@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich You're welcome. Suspect that there's material for a follow up video, as from the late '50s I mind of the pickle works near the Crescent, also a large Victorian house which for some reason, I think was called Hatter's Castle. The Dunlop Tyre warehouse, the caff, grandly listed as 'refreshment rooms' run by a Mrs. Roy. Such a varied road - ! 😊
@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich Indeed. Tragedy is that of course, many irreplaceable photos were lost in the library fire. I can definitely mind of one of Hatters Castle, but that was pre fire, so any of the pickle works may well be lost. 🙁 But, you never know - ! 🙂
As previously mentioned I had a Saturday/holiday job at Hunter & Oliver wine merchants on the corner of the top of Grapes Hill in the mid 60's. I also remember early 60's taking our pet hamster to a vet on Chapelfield Road opposite the Gardens when my cousin trod on him and broke his leg (is the vets still there?) and my mum worked at Rowntree Mackintoshes in the 70's and 80's and remember a CNS local studies visit to the chocolate factory in 1963 with Dudley Denham (think you may have been on that visit John)
Thanks for adding all this info to paint a clearer picture of the area. I'm so sorry that your cousin broke the vet's leg.......! I wasn't on the visit I'm afraid. Thanks again for such a detailed comment.
Many thanks John - another great bit of history of our fine city. But did anyone else notice an aggressive hum on the audio? Could just be my end of course.
Very interesting and well-researched video. It's fascinating that there were houses built into the old city walls. I'm guessing it saved the cost of building one or two additional walls! I'm wondering why you didn't use quiet background music this time. There was a slight hum from the audio, but not enough to detract from the video in any way. Looking forward to your Chapelfield Gardens video.
