Lost Norwich - Sports Venues 

What a fascinating sports history of Norwich. There was so much interesting information that I did not know. Loved hearing all the stories.

Heartwarming. So many dog tracks. Thanks from Thailand.

This video is so well researched and presented. I learnt a lot - thank you!

These videos are flipping brilliant.

I remember late 50's early 60's there was a circular cycle race track at Moushold in the dip. Dont know that it was ever a proper club but I remember we held our own races there

Very interesting video. Lakenham cricket shutting was the hardest one to understand. Was a great location.

Very interesting as always. I discovered recently that, on the east boundary of Earlham Cemetery, there used to be a cricket pitch (now where Winter Road is). No idea of its history, but must have been small, and there is a distinct slop down Stafford St. that much have made for some interesting fielding conditions.

Thanks for another interesting and different video

Fascinating John...

Hi John, re the mystery of the holes-in-one being 12th and 13th or 10th and 11th, the course used to have its 1st hole on the south side of Drayton High Road, i.e. the club house side, but for that tournament they started on the other side of the road and hence what was normally the 2nd hole became, for that tournament alone, the 1st hole. Thus, the hole numbers for that tournament were one less than the normal designation. I remember going with my dad to watch some of the tournament, but I didn't see the holes-in-one. I do remember him telling me about it though.

The sign for the Thorpe road greyhound track was painted by my father. It was still visible in part, although badly faded in the late 1950's.

Excellent video John. Imagine my surprise when you got to the section about Hevingham Raceway, and a photograph of Andrew Bales (No 14) popped up. It was one of several photos I took at that meeting in 1976 as I was Secretary of the Norwich Speedway Supporters Club and was also a track raker on that day. I also have many photos I took of the Hevingham track being built prior to that meeting and of David Crane practicing on it. Sadly it all came to nothing, and now its just a distant memory. I was also a golf caddy whilst still at school and caddied at the Royal Norwich around 1963 to 1965. At first the Club House was on the Hellesdon Low Rd, but then moved to the Drayton Rd when they built the new one. I also have some B & W photos I took at the Martini International somewhere in the loft, I seem to remember Ronnie Corbett took part as I have a photo of him at the course.

The Lads Club was a regular venue for roller skating every Wednesday night, we were there most of the 80’s. Saturday used to be roller skating trips away like visiting Rollerbury in Bury St. Edmonds and Great Yarmouth pier. Sunday was the Corn Exchange (same DJ as Wednesday night at The Lads Club, I actually became good friends with him in the 80’s and he worked at an electronic spares shop on St. Benedict’s). Was also a massive tennis enthusiast and the grass courts that used to be situated at Waterloo Park were fantastic, I have friends in London that would come up to Norwich every summer to play on these courts.

Excellent start to the day John, cheers matey :)

Another great video John! Several venues I have frequented and others I would love to have seen! Hellesdon Cycle Speedway track was pretty much at the bottom of my garden so would always try to sneak into the big meetings (British Finals/World Masters) when you had to pay to watch and if I couldn't do that I could always hear the tannoy anyway!

The Crome Centre used to host amateur/regional sporting events for table tennis and badminton and 10pin bowling too I believe. I think Pinebanks did too. Then there is the old speedway track that was on the site now occupied by the school on Recreation Road.

The rugby pitches at Cow Tower were latterly used by Norwich School for rugby on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. The pitch nearest the tower was the least popular as not only did it slope down towards the river, it had a tendency to be pretty muddy in the Winter and Spring - ! 🤣 Oh yes, I mind of those sports afternoons well - !

Thank you this is great :-)

Thank you John ! So well researched and clearly presented. Do you happen to know what the building that was known as ' Bottoms Up ' was used for ? It looks like it could have been a ticket office with maybe a bar above it...or....a car showroom? I wonder every time I pass it. Thank you.

Interesting as always. I'm surprised to learn that UEA was built on the site of a golf course.

All before my time but I live not far from B&Q