Norwich Pageantry

Civic procession of regalia into Cathedral [B321] 1932-06-12
Civic Visit to Norwich Cathedral 1932
Civic procession Lord Mayor into Cathedral [B322] 1932-06-12
Silver Jubilee Rampant Horse St [0499] 1935-05-01
Silver Jubilee of Their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary as celebrated at Norwich on 6th May 1935:
Prizes of silver cups were awarded in a competition for the best decorated premises in the following classes: Houses; Business Premises; Clubs; Streets.
Silver Jubilee Magdalen St Loose's store [0500] 1935-05-01
Silver jubilee decorations.
Silver Jubilee Royal Hotel main entrance [0503] 1935-05-02
Royal Hotel, Agricultural Hall Plain. Note the young lad to the right of the hotel entrance and below the crossing sign was stationed there by the tramway company to set the points for outward bound trams heading either for Magdalen Rd or Prince of Wales Rd. Silver jubilee decorations.
Silver Jubilee Guildhall Hill Chamberlin's [0504] 1935-05-02
Chamberlins, Guildhall Hill, commended. Silver jubilee decorations.
Silver Jubilee London St from Bank Plain [0505] 1935-05-03
London St, honours shared with Prince of Wales Rd. Silver jubilee decorations.
Silver Jubilee Great Eastern Hotel [0506] 1935-05-03
Great Eastern Hotel, Prince of Wales Rd. Silver jubilee decorations.
Silver Jubilee Orford Place tramway centre [0509] 1935-05-03
Tramway shelter and timekeeper's office. Erected 1928 by Walter Macfarlane and Co Glasgow, cost £650.
Silver Jubilee Prince of Wales Rd view east [0510] 1935-05-04
Silver jubilee decorations. Not until 1860 was Prince of Wales Rd constructed as a grand approach to Thorpe Station. Running southeast from Bank Plain and Castle Meadow, it was built over land once occupied by the monastery of the Greyfriars, of which nothing now remains except a length of the precinct wall along the upper part of St Faith's Lane. An ancient stone bridge that straddled a dyke adjacent to the Horse Fair Green was destroyed early in the 20c; it was considered to have been the work of the Greyfriars when they built their wall.
Silver Jubilee Thorpe Rd Eastern Counties [0511] 1935-05-04
Eastern Counties Omnibus Company, Thorpe Rd, first prize for the Silver jubilee decorations.
Silver Jubilee St Andrew's Harmer's factory [0518] 1935-05-05
Harmer's Clothing Factory, St Andrew's St, architect Edward Boardman. Silver jubilee decorations.
Silver Jubilee Fyebridge Howard's fishshop [0519] 1935-05-05
Silver jubilee decorations.
Silver Jubilee Royal Arcade view west [0520] 1935-05-05
Built 1899 by architect George Skipper in the "Art Nouveau" style on the site of the old Royal Hotel yard, formerly the Angel Inn. The facade of the hotel, built by J.Stannard in 1846, was retained above the entrance from Gentleman's Walk. See also 24 Market Place.
Silver Jubilee London St Jarrold's store [0522] 1935-05-05
Jarrolds, Exchange St, third prize for Silver jubilee decorations.
Silver Jubilee Red Lion St Palmer's store [0523] 1935-05-05
Palmers, Red Lion St, commended. Silver jubilee decorations.
Thorpe Rd 11 Ailwyn Hall Jubilee floodlit [0528] 1935-05-05
St Ethelbert's Gate Jubilee floodlit [0529] 1935-05-05
Erpingham Gate Jubilee floodlit [0530] 1935-05-05
Keep south side Jubilee floodlit [0532] 1935-05-05
Castle Meadow 3 hotel Jubilee floodlit [0533] 1935-05-05
East front Jubilee floodlit [0533a] 1935-05-05
South side Jubilee floodlit [0534] 1935-05-05
Silver Jubilee Mousehold troop review 1 [0541] 1935-05-06
The official celebrations commenced on Monday 6th May with a review of troops by H.M.Lieutenant of Norfolk (Russell J.Colman J.P.) on the football field behind Britannia Barracks. Also present were the Lord Mayor (P.W.Jewson J.P.) and the Sheriff (Councillor W.E.Walker J.P.).
Silver Jubilee Mousehold troop review 2 [0542] 1935-05-06
Silver Jubilee Mousehold troop review 3 [0543] 1935-05-06
Silver Jubilee Mousehold troop review 4 [0544] 1935-05-06
Silver Jubilee Mousehold troop review 5 [0545] 1935-05-06
Silver Jubilee Mousehold troop review 6 [0546] 1935-05-06
Silver Jubilee Mousehold troop onlookers [0547] 1935-05-06
Every available vantage point was used by the interested spectators.
Silver Jubilee Mousehold Watts' Sea Cadets [0548] 1935-05-06
Lads of the Watts' Naval School leaving the parade ground. Chestnut Avenue, Mousehold.
Silver Jubilee St James' Hill bonfire unlit [0550] 1935-05-06
St James' Hill bonfire built by Norwich Scouts .
Silver Jubilee Gurney Rd spectators trams [0551] 1935-05-06
Spectators returning to the city after watching the Review of Troops.
Silver Jubilee Cathedral Lord Lieutenant [0552] 1935-05-06
Silver Jubilee 1935 United Thanksgiving Service at Norwich Cathedral. Beginning at 11:30 the service lasted for over an hour. Taking part were representatives of the Established Church, the Free Churches, the Jewish Community, Christian Science, The Catholic Apostolic Church, The Society of Friends and the Salvation Army.
Lord Lieutenant for Norfolk (Russell J.Colman J.P.) watching the procession entering.
Silver Jubilee Cathedral Mace Bearers [0553] 1935-05-06
Silver Jubilee Cathedral Lord Mayor [0554] 1935-05-06
And Town Clerk.
Silver Jubilee Cathedral clergy [0555] 1935-05-06
Silver Jubilee Chapel Field tree planting [0556] 1935-05-06
The Sheriff planted a Plane Tree at Chapel Field Gardens to commemorate the Silver Jubilee. Other trees were planted at Earlham Park, Sewell Park, and Castle Gardens.
Silver Jubilee procession Co-op float [0557] 1935-05-06
Commencing at 2:45pm the Street Procession left Newmarket Rd for its tour of the City. Prizes were awarded for best entries.
Silver Jubilee procession Castle Hotel [0558] 1935-05-06
Silver Jubilee procession Carlton cinema [0559] 1935-05-06
Silver Jubilee procession Marconi dealers [0560] 1935-05-06
Silver Jubilee procession Norwich Relays [0561] 1935-05-06
Norwich Relays Ltd provided some of the music en route.
Silver Jubilee procession battleship model [0562] 1935-05-06
Mann Egerton's, H.M.S. King George V battleship model, first prize trades tableaux.
Silver Jubilee procession Housing Society [0563] 1935-05-06
"The Housing Problem", prize for schools tableaux.
Silver Jubilee procession Carnival Queen [0565] 1935-05-06
Commencing at 2:45pm the Street Procession left Newmarket Rd for its tour of the City. Prizes were awarded for best entries. Here is the procession in Agricultural Hall Plain.
Silver Jubilee procession Zulus [0566] 1935-05-06
Zulus. Mr W.Osborne, first prize.
Silver Jubilee procession trade tableau [0567] 1935-05-06
Silver Jubilee procession battleship front [0568] 1935-05-06
Mann Egerton's, H.M.S. King George V battleship model, first prize trades tableaux.
Silver Jubilee procession Britannia Hitler [0569] 1935-05-06
"Britannia" trade tableau. Note Adolf Hitler lookalike at the rear.
Silver Jubilee procession Welsh tableau [0570] 1935-05-06
Eastern Counties Omnibus Co Trade Motor Vehicle, third prize.
Silver Jubilee procession Fire Brigade [0571] 1935-05-06
Silver Jubilee procession E C Omnibus [0572] 1935-05-06
Orford Place shelter Jubilee floodlit [0536] 1935-05-06
Silver Jubilee St James' Hill bonfire 1 [0537] 1935-05-06
Silver Jubilee St James' Hill bonfire 2 [0538] 1935-05-06
Silver Jubilee St James' Hill bonfire 3 [0539] 1935-05-06
Silver Jubilee St James' Hill bonfire crowd [0540] 1935-05-06
The Beacon, built on St James' Hill near the Britannia Barracks by the Norwich Boy Scouts was lit at 10pm by the Lord Mayor as his last official act on Jubilee Day. This was one of a large chain of beacons throughout the County, and at the time of lighting it a rocket of the Scout colours - yellow green and red - was fired. The fire blazed to a great height and could be seen from many parts of the city. The event itself attracted a vast crowd of many thousands to the hill, and as the beacon got well alight it became bright enough for the smallest newspaper print to be read on practically any part of the hill where the fire cast its glare.
Silver Jubilee Queen Mary copy of photo [0573] 1935-05-10
Silver Jubilee King George V copy of photo [0574] 1935-05-10
Silver Jubilee London St Garland's store [0576] 1935-05-11
Garlands, London St, second prize for the Silver jubilee decorations.
Silver Jubilee Lower Goat Lane Dewhurst's [0580] 1935-05-11
Dewhurst, Lower Goat Lane, especially commended. Silver jubilee decorations.
Coronation Charing Cross [1549] 1937-05-03
Coronation of Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth as celebrated at Norwich on 12th May 1937:
Prizes were awarded in a competition for the best decorated premises, the judges being appointed by the Norwich Chamber of Commerce Coronation Committee. The general level of excellence attained was such that only by the most careful though and checking of one scheme with another, in repeated visits, were they able to come to their decision.
Coronation St Giles' St 84 to 86 Gunn's [1555] 1937-05-09
1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation Guildhall Hill from St Giles' St [1556] 1937-05-09
St Giles' St, highly commended street decoration. 1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation Market Place Municipal buildings [1557] 1937-05-09
1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation London St Jarrold's [1558] 1937-05-09
London St, third prize street decoration. 1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation Market Place [1559] 1937-05-09
1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation Orford Place [1560] 1937-05-09
Orford Place, second prize street decoration. 1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation Rampant Horse St Buntings [1561] 1937-05-09
1937 coronation decorations. At the corner of St Stephen's and Rampant Horse St stands the original part of Marks and Spencers, formerly Buntings the drapers: its architect, A. F. Scott. Built in 1912, it lost its attic storey during an air raid and after the war was internally remodelled.
Coronation King St 167 Music House [1562] 1937-05-09
1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation Prince of Wales Rd [1563] 1937-05-09
1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation St James' Hill beacon before lit [1564] 1937-05-09
Built by the Norwich Boy Scouts from slum-clearance materials.
Coronation Magdalen St 29 Horth's [1565] 1937-05-09
1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation Oak St 114 Anchor of Hope PH [1566] 1937-05-09
Anchor of Hope Inn, 114 Oak St, good business premises award for the 1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation Station Rd 13 to 15 [1567] 1937-05-09
1937 coronation decorations. See also St Crispin's Rd.
Coronation St Benedict's St [1568] 1937-05-09
1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation Duke St Electricity works [1569] 1937-05-09
1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation Orford Place Green's [1570] 1937-05-09
1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation Cathedral civic regalia [1571] 1937-05-12
A United Service in Norwich Cathedral opened the City's Coronation Day celebrations with appropriate solemnity. Clergy of all denominations took part. The ex-service men with their medals filled the north transept, while the public were accommodated in the nave.
Coronation Cathedral city officials [1572] 1937-05-12
Town Clerk, Acting Lord Mayor, Sheriff etc.
Coronation Cathedral church choirs [1573] 1937-05-12
Coronation Cathedral choir [1574] 1937-05-12
Coronation Cathedral Church Lads' Brigade [1575] 1937-05-12
Coronation Elizabeth Simpson lifeboat 1 [1576] 1937-05-12
Volunteer lifeboat from Gorleston at Foundry Bridge. Due to arrive at 10am on Coronation day, but owing to weather conditions it arrived an hour early.
Coronation Elizabeth Simpson lifeboat 2 [1577] 1937-05-12
Coronation Prince of Wales Rd 100 [1578] 1937-05-12
100 Prince of Wales Rd, second prize business premises for the 1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation procession Lord Mayor's coach [1579] 1937-05-12
Commencing at 5:30pm the Street Procession left Bracondale Woods for its tour of the city. Despite heavy cloud, the route was everywhere lined with thousands of cheering people. This series of photographs was taken in poor light in front of St Giles' church between 6:20 and 7pm.
Coronation procession Sheriff [1580] 1937-05-12
Sheriff and Mrs D.G.Buxton.
Coronation procession 30th Field Brigade [1581] 1937-05-12
30th Field Brigade R.A. riding in "Dragon"
Coronation procession military band [1582] 1937-05-12
Coronation procession pikemen [1583] 1937-05-12
Pikemen of Monk's Regiment.
Coronation procession period costumes 1 [1584] 1937-05-12
Coronation procession period costumes 2 [1585] 1937-05-12
Coronation procession period costumes 3 [1586] 1937-05-12
Coronation procession Watts' Naval school [1587] 1937-05-12
Coronation procession military [1588] 1937-05-12
Coronation procession Boy Scouts [1589] 1937-05-12
Coronation procession mounted Herald [1590] 1937-05-12
Coronation procession St George and squires [1591] 1937-05-12
Coronation procession Britannia [1592] 1937-05-12
Portrayed by Miss Doris Pitt.
Coronation procession Canada float [1593] 1937-05-12
Coronation procession Australia float [1594] 1937-05-12
Coronation procession English folk dancers [1597] 1937-05-12
Coronation procession Co-Op coal float [1599] 1937-05-12
"Coal" a display by the Co-operative Society.
Coronation procession circus mules [1601] 1937-05-12
Coronation procession old time bicycles [1603] 1937-05-12
Coronation procession children's parade [1604] 1937-05-12
Coronation procession carnival novelties 1 [1605] 1937-05-12
Worn by members of the Lads' club.
Coronation procession carnival novelties 2 [1606] 1937-05-12
Coronation procession sedan chair [1607] 1937-05-12
Coronation procession 18c fire pump [1608] 1937-05-12
Coronation procession Eccles sea monster [1609] 1937-05-12
Eccles Sea Monster "Eustace" (The Mutual Service Club).
Coronation procession brewery float [1610] 1937-05-12
Youngs, Crawshay and Youngs vehicle.
West front coronation floodlit [1611] 1937-05-12
Coronation St James' Hill rockets [1612] 1937-05-12
At 9:30pm the Diamond Fireworks Company of Ipswich gave a display on St James' Hill which lasted for about an hour. Unfortunately, owing to rain penetrating the tent in which they had been stored, some of the set-pieces did not completely light up. Nevertheless the display was greatly appreciated. The beacon, which had been built by the Norwich Boy Scouts, was lit by the Acting Lord Mayor at 10:30pm as the concluding item of an eventful day.
Coronation St James' Hill beacon [1613] 1937-05-12
Bethel St 67 coronation floodlit [1616] 1937-05-12
Coronation Chapel Field Rd 104 [1619] 1937-05-13
1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation King St Upper 17 Norfolk Club [1620] 1937-05-13
The Norfolk Club, Upper King St, very highly commended business premises. 1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation Fyebridge St Howard's fishshop [1621] 1937-05-13
C.J.Howard, Fyebridge St, very highly commended business premises. 1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation St Augustine's St Rose Yard [1622] 1937-05-13
1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation Westwick St Wincarnis works [1623] 1937-05-13
Wincarnis Works, Westwick St, very highly commended business premises. 1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation Bethel St Little 2 [1624] 1937-05-13
2 Little Bethel St, highly commended private house. 1937 coronation decorations.
Tombland 15 to 16 Samson Hercules floodlit [1628] 1937-05-13
For coronation.
Fyebridge St coronation floodlit [1629] 1937-05-13
Fyebridge St 17 Howard's fishshop floodlit [1630] 1937-05-13
For 1937 coronation celebrations.
Tombland 24 St Ethelbert's House floodlit [1631] 1937-05-13
Market Place west side coronation floodlit [1632] 1937-05-13
Municipal offices until 1938.
Duke St 4 Electricity works floodlit [1633] 1937-05-13
Municipal offices until 1938. Electricity department.
Duke St 5 Electricity works floodlit [1634] 1937-05-13
Municipal offices until 1938. Electricity department.
Coronation St Lawrence Lane 2 [1625] 1937-05-14
2 St Lawrence Lane, highly commended private house. 1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation Rampant Horse St Woolworth's [1626] 1937-05-14
Woolworths, Rampant Horse St, first prize business premises for the 1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation Somerleyton St 8 greenhouse flag [1638] 1937-05-18
The photographer's parents' back garden. 1937 coronation decorations.
Coronation King George VI copy of photo [1641] 1937-05-18
Coronation Queen Elizabeth copy of photo [1642] 1937-05-18
Catholic procession cross bearer [2483] 1938-06-19
Roman Catholic Procession 19th June 1938:
Following Corpus Christi. It proceeded from St John's RC church along Earlham Rd to Heigham House, Heigham Rd.
Catholic procession boys [2484] 1938-06-19
Catholic procession girls with flowers [2485] 1938-06-19
Catholic procession veiled girls [2486] 1938-06-19
Catholic procession robed choir [2487] 1938-06-19
Catholic procession small girls [2488] 1938-06-19
Catholic procession priest carrying Host [2489] 1938-06-19
Catholic procession priest rear [2490] 1938-06-19
Priest and Acolytes.
Civic Week Lord Mayor's coach [2811] 1938-10-23
Norwich Civic Week 23rd-29th October 1938:
The week commenced with a Civic Procession from the Guildhall to St Peter Mancroft church, at which a service was held. The Coach is parked outside the Guildhall, having brought the Mayor from his residence in Harvey Lane for the Civic Procession.
Civic Week Lord Mayor's coach [2812] 1938-10-23
A resolution of the City Council, passed on 11th October 1911, explains how the city came by the coach:
"Resolved on the report of the City Committee that the Lord Mayor has presented to the city for the use of future Lord Mayors the coach which was used on the occasion of the visit of His Majesty George V to the city on 18th June last, together with liveries for the servants and State harness for a pair of horses, that the very hearty thanks of the Council be given to the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor (Alderman Sir Eustace Gurney) for his great generosity in presenting so handsome and interesting an equipage to the City." Sir Eustace was Lord Mayor in 1910-11, with Mr H.P.Gould as Sheriff.
Stored in a coach house at the Strangers' Hall, the coach went out of use during the Second World War, but it was restored to duty in 1950 after a call for its reappearance had been made by Basil Cozens-Hardy, a former Sheriff of Norwich. An initial difficulty was soon overcome when a local firm of brewers agreed to lend, free of charge, two powerful grey horses and their driver as and when required.
Civic Week civic regalia [2813] 1938-10-23
Civic Week Medical Officer of Health etc [2814] 1938-10-23
Civic Week Lord Mayor and Sheriff [2815] 1938-10-23
Civic Week corporation officials procession [2816] 1938-10-23
Bethel St.
Civic Week corporation officials procession [2817] 1938-10-23
Civic Week corporation officials procession [2818] 1938-10-23
Civic Week torchlight procession model [2826] 1938-10-27
Illuminated model of the City Hall in torchlight procession.
Bridge over inner ditch illuminated [2827] 1938-10-28
Floodlit during Civic Week, 1938.
Bridge over inner ditch illuminated [2828] 1938-10-28
Floodlit during Civic Week, 1938.
Civic Week crowds at opening of City Hall [2829] 1938-10-29
The culmination of the week's events was a visit by Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in order to open the newly completed City Hall (Saturday 29th October 1938).
Civic Week St Andrew's Hall guest arrivals [2830] 1938-10-29
Arrivals for luncheon following opening of City Hall.
Civic Week St Andrew's Hall guest arrivals [2831] 1938-10-29
Civic Week St Andrew's Hall guest arrivals [2832] 1938-10-29
Civic Week St Andrew's Hall guest arrivals [2833] 1938-10-29
Civic Week St Andrew's Hall guest arrivals [2834] 1938-10-29
Civic Week St Andrew's Hall Bishop arrival [2835] 1938-10-29
The Bishop of Norwich and Mrs Pollock.
Civic Week St Andrew's Hall King arrival [2836] 1938-10-29
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
Civic Week St Andrew's Hall King arrival [2837] 1938-10-29
Civic Week St Andrew's Hall bouquet arrival [2838] 1938-10-29
Civic Week St Andrew's Hall surging crowds [2839] 1938-10-29
Civic Week St Andrew's Hall King leaving [2840] 1938-10-29
The King and the Lord Mayor (Mr Charles Watling).
Civic Week St Andrew's Hall Queen leaving [2841] 1938-10-29
The Queen with Mrs Watling.
Civic Week St Andrew's Hall Queen leaving [2842] 1938-10-29
Civic Week War Memorial wreath [2846] 1938-11-05
Wreath laid by the King on the Norwich war memorial.
Lord Mayor's day Lord Mayor's coach [3848] 1950-05-23
Lord Mayor's Coach brought back into use for the first time since 1939 on Lord Mayor's day, passing St Giles' church.
Festival Princess Elizabeth in Orford Place [3994] 1951-06-18
Norwich Festival 18th-30th June 1951:
The Festival was opened by Princess Elizabeth who spoke from the balcony of the City Hall. She then proceeded to the Castle Museum to open the Colman Galleries, built through a bequest by the late Russell Colman to house his collection of pictures of the Norwich School which he had also left to the City.
Princess Elizabeth en route from City Hall to the Castle and then to the Assembly House for lunch.
Festival Princess Elizabeth going to lunch [3995] 1951-06-18
Festival City Hall with banners [3998] 1951-06-21
Festival garden adjoining Guildhall [3997] 1951-06-21
Festival procession Queen Boadicea [3999] 1951-06-24
1951 Festival Procession carts, Sunday 24th June (the second of three days on which it was held).
Festival procession Roman soldiers [4000] 1951-06-24
Festival procession trade guilds Hell cart [4001] 1951-06-24
Mediaeval Trade Guilds "Hell Cart".
Festival procession Sir Thomas Erpingham [4002] 1951-06-24
Watches the building of his gateway to the Cathedral Close.
Festival procession Kett's rebellion [4003] 1951-06-24
1549 rebellion.
Festival procession Queen Elizabeth I [4004] 1951-06-24
Festival procession William Kemp dancers [4005] 1951-06-24
"Nine Days' Wonder" dancing from London to Norwich.
Festival procession Thomas Browne knighted [4006] 1951-06-24
King Charles II knights Dr Thomas Browne.
Festival procession John Crome and Borrow [4007] 1951-06-24
John Crome, George Borrow and Gypsies.
Festival procession snapdragon and whiffler [4008] 1951-06-24
Elephant parade on Prince of Wales Rd [4240] 1953-11-29
En route to the Theatre Royal.
Civic visit Lord Mayor's coach Harvey Lane [4254] 1954-06-06
Civic visit to Cathedral 6th June 1954:
Coach arriving to collect Lord Mayor Councillor H.Allen.
Civic visit Lord Mayor boarding coach [4255] 1954-06-06
Civic visit Lord Mayor Sheriff at Cathedral [4256] 1954-06-06
And deputy Lord Mayor.
Civic visit Sea Cadet parade on Riverside [4257] 1954-06-06
Civic visit Lord Mayor returning home [4258] 1954-06-06

Text and photographs copyright George Plunkett

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