Thank you, really interesting to see how things have changed due to the Blitz. I too featured the crossroads on Dereham Road that was bombed in a video as did Dr Mark Felton. Thank you again.
Hello John, My wife and I are currently binge watching your videos on Lost Norwich etc. What great, informative content. I'm originally from Bedfordshire but have lived in Norfolk for the past 32 years, the last 12 of which have been in Norwich. I am very proud to live here and, though not a native, I'm fiercely protective of this "Fine" city and great county. Thank you for all the hard work you put into producing these videos. Please keep them coming, thanks again.
Thank you so much for getting in touch Andrew, that's a very kind comment. I think after 32 years in Norfolk and 12 in Norwich you have some standing in the city!
Absolutely love watching all you videos! I was born in Norwich at the old n&n as were my two eldest children. My love of old photos and stories came as a child I had the Bertie blitz magazine which was done by the evening news, to my surprise one of the bombed houses featured was my fathers grand house !
This video is beautifully done but is absolutely heartbreaking. The haunting music makes it even more so. To see how much beauty and history has been lost. Such a shame. In almost none of the examples you showed was "progress" an improvement over what was there in the past.
Thanks Ian, that's a very kind comment. Inclusion of music has, perhaps surprisingly, been controversial, with people saying it's a distraction, so I've largely stopped doing that now. Where it works, I think it can enhance, but getting volume right for everyone was a problem!
John, Another video where i have watched and seen a couple of before photos that look nothing like they do now but I have guessed the now, but thanks for more history on our city, look forward to the next
First to like and comment! Yay! This video was so interesting, and I really like the concept. It must have taken you a lot of time to research, photograph and compile. It's fascinating to see the before and after and to wonder which of these old buildings may have survived to this day.
Thank you. Congrats on being first. You're right - it's one thing to film a single location, but to cover so many areas of the city took a lot of walking!
Fascinating as always John thanks for sharing the past and present comparisons. Visited the ruins of St Bartholomew and St Benedict Churches last year myself - really interesting and historic places 🙂
Every time we drove past, my dad and grandad both used to say how the Old Palace Road crossroads buildings was not replaced after the war - they said it was a derelict site for many years before the site was cleared and the advertising boards went up. Nice to see what they were on about.
Hello John, when we returned to Norwich, we lodged with a very nice couple, one night we were woken with very load banging, it transpired the husband was a fireman and was urgently required, when we looked across to the city it was a mass of flames, luckily they missed the castle and cathedral, I’m 86 now, and it is a sight I will never forget
In many parts of Norwich the historical interest is plain to see so it was fascinating to see a video where one has to "scratch the surface" a little bit. Has the current Norwich railway station always been the city's main station? I remember reading Coot Club by Arthur Ransome and reference is made to "Thorpe Station" on the very first page.
I think it has been the main station for longer journeys and was always called Thorpe Station go differentiate it from others. City Station was for more local rural services.
Some wonderful Before and After views and commentary, thank you. Just one question, please … at the start we see a stone for 1942 with the “Victory salute” - where is this, please, as I don’t think I’ve ever spotted it before?
Nice video mate! Do you have any information on city of Norwich school during ww2?? I’ve been told a bomb was dropped on/near the school, but never been able to find any decent sources.
@CiaranHague My dad was there from 1943 to 1948, but I'm afraid he has no knowledge of any bomb during the war. However, this map suggests there might well have been. www.invisibleworks.co.uk/the-norwich-bomb-map-digitised/ I had a chat with my dad about his memories of the school, which were as follows. Some snippets that may be of interest….each year group was divided into L and S groups. L for Latin, S for Science. The school kept pigs, feeding them with the leftovers from awful school meals. Pupils had to take meals to teachers who were sitting out on the lawn at the front. Once a jam roly poly was accidentally spilt on the floor, and the pupil picked it up, put it back in the dish and gave it to the teacher! This lawn is now the car park at the front. Pupils weren't allowed to walk on, unless they were delivering food presumably. The computer room next to the main entrance was the hall. The playing fields were superb, six full size football pitches, two hockey pitches, cricket and running track. In the war, they had shelters on the playing field, a corridor with seats each side. Other than that he doesn't remember anything at school that would have been different because of the war. Some members of staff he can remember…Dingy Bell (Physics) , Tommy Tout (RE) Mr R W Jackson was headteacher, who also taught Latin. Thank you for your interest in my channel Ciaran.
@ thank you mate! This is very cool, interesting to see how different it is today compared to back in the day, I’ve learnt a lot about Norwich from you, you’ve been a big help thank you!
The Monkey House at :38 appears to have inscribed on it "Removed from Whitingham and Rebuilt AD1900" (or something like that). I wonder what the story is with that. It's a shame is wasn't removed from that location and rebuilt before the dual carriage way took its place.
Correct. And on the other side of St. Benedict's Lane which ran beside the Omnibus Tavern was the Fountain Inn, with only the width of the lane separating the two - !
@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich Indeed. The book 'Norwich Pubs and Breweries Past and Present' by Frances + Michael Holmes is an excellent read and a real eye opener - ! 😊
I believe that lots of John Lewis branches were older shops with older names. You might be interested in this video too for more on what was near Bonds.ua-cam.com/video/XVNgg5paqJQ/v-deo.html
Such a shame that for unkown reasons, stupid pointless music was overlaid onto what might have been an interesting commentary had I been able to listen to it in peace.
@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich Would it be polite to talk to someone and switch a radio on whilst you're talking? It would be pointles and stupid and irritating - and a bit insulting to the person you're talking to. I call things as they are, not by any gauge of politeness.
Thank you, really interesting to see how things have changed due to the Blitz. I too featured the crossroads on Dereham Road that was bombed in a video as did Dr Mark Felton. Thank you again.
Thank you so much for your comment.
Hello John, My wife and I are currently binge watching your videos on Lost Norwich etc. What great, informative content. I'm originally from Bedfordshire but have lived in Norfolk for the past 32 years, the last 12 of which have been in Norwich. I am very proud to live here and, though not a native, I'm fiercely protective of this "Fine" city and great county. Thank you for all the hard work you put into producing these videos. Please keep them coming, thanks again.
Thank you so much for getting in touch Andrew, that's a very kind comment. I think after 32 years in Norfolk and 12 in Norwich you have some standing in the city!
@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich Thank you👍
Hi , Thanks again for the memory, Fantastic , all lost but not forgotten, All the best Brian 😃
Thanks Brian, for your kind comment. Glad you enjoyed it.
Absolutely love watching all you videos! I was born in Norwich at the old n&n as were my two eldest children. My love of old photos and stories came as a child I had the Bertie blitz magazine which was done by the evening news, to my surprise one of the bombed houses featured was my fathers grand house !
That's a brilliant story, thanks Amber!
This video is beautifully done but is absolutely heartbreaking. The haunting music makes it even more so. To see how much beauty and history has been lost. Such a shame. In almost none of the examples you showed was "progress" an improvement over what was there in the past.
Thanks Ian, that's a very kind comment. Inclusion of music has, perhaps surprisingly, been controversial, with people saying it's a distraction, so I've largely stopped doing that now. Where it works, I think it can enhance, but getting volume right for everyone was a problem!
Love your videos mate. I quite often find myself stopping and looking whilst walking around norwich after watching.
Cheers Ross, thanks so much for commenting.
I always feel sad that so much of Norwich has been demolished over the years to make way for flats and car parking.
I do agree, but in this instance, the demolition had to follow the wartime destruction.
Yes, there is a certain sadness to it.
Another beautifully produced window in to the past. Some lovely buildings lost to the Luftwaffe. The ‘Salute’ on Oak Street was most appropriate!
Thanks ever so much for commenting - I can only agree!
John, Another video where i have watched and seen a couple of before photos that look nothing like they do now but I have guessed the now, but thanks for more history on our city, look forward to the next
Thanks Dave, it can be interesting just trying to recognise the now from the then!
Thank you, as always, for a fascinating look back at The City.
Thanks Adrian
Always love you’re music choices btw
I try ☺️👍
It's interesting to see how the city changed. Well presented .
Thanks very much for commenting, glad you liked it.
Another fantastic video. Thank you.
Thank you 👍
First to like and comment! Yay! This video was so interesting, and I really like the concept. It must have taken you a lot of time to research, photograph and compile. It's fascinating to see the before and after and to wonder which of these old buildings may have survived to this day.
Thank you. Congrats on being first. You're right - it's one thing to film a single location, but to cover so many areas of the city took a lot of walking!
Another great video John! So nice that the older photographs are still available. Thanks for all your research!! ~Cara 😊
Thank you Cara. Yes, older photos have something special.
Fascinating as always John thanks for sharing the past and present comparisons. Visited the ruins of St Bartholomew and St Benedict Churches last year myself - really interesting and historic places 🙂
Thanks Edward. I hadn't been aware of St Bartholomew's until researching for this video, and the found my grandparents were married there!
Every time we drove past, my dad and grandad both used to say how the Old Palace Road crossroads buildings was not replaced after the war - they said it was a derelict site for many years before the site was cleared and the advertising boards went up. Nice to see what they were on about.
Thank you Luke, glad to have cleared that little matter up!
Hello John, when we returned to Norwich, we lodged with a very nice couple, one night we were woken with very load banging, it transpired the husband was a fireman and was urgently required, when we looked across to the city it was a mass of flames, luckily they missed the castle and cathedral,
I’m 86 now, and it is a sight I will never forget
Thank you so much Terry for that evocative description. It has really stuck with you.
My favourite channel
Thank you so much Thom, that means a lot!
In many parts of Norwich the historical interest is plain to see so it was fascinating to see a video where one has to "scratch the surface" a little bit. Has the current Norwich railway station always been the city's main station? I remember reading Coot Club by Arthur Ransome and reference is made to "Thorpe Station" on the very first page.
I think it has been the main station for longer journeys and was always called Thorpe Station go differentiate it from others. City Station was for more local rural services.
Some wonderful Before and After views and commentary, thank you. Just one question, please … at the start we see a stone for 1942 with the “Victory salute” - where is this, please, as I don’t think I’ve ever spotted it before?
Thanks for your comment Alfred. It's in a garden on Oak Street.
Nice video mate! Do you have any information on city of Norwich school during ww2?? I’ve been told a bomb was dropped on/near the school, but never been able to find any decent sources.
Sorry I’m a bit late by the way lmao
Thank you. I hadn't heard that, but my dad was at the school at that time. I'm seeing him tomorrow, so I will ask!
@ thank you, I go to cns right now, and have been very curious in the history of the school!!
@CiaranHague My dad was there from 1943 to 1948, but I'm afraid he has no knowledge of any bomb during the war. However, this map suggests there might well have been. www.invisibleworks.co.uk/the-norwich-bomb-map-digitised/ I had a chat with my dad about his memories of the school, which were as follows. Some snippets that may be of interest….each year group was divided into L and S groups. L for Latin, S for Science. The school kept pigs, feeding them with the leftovers from awful school meals. Pupils had to take meals to teachers who were sitting out on the lawn at the front. Once a jam roly poly was accidentally spilt on the floor, and the pupil picked it up, put it back in the dish and gave it to the teacher! This lawn is now the car park at the front. Pupils weren't allowed to walk on, unless they were delivering food presumably. The computer room next to the main entrance was the hall. The playing fields were superb, six full size football pitches, two hockey pitches, cricket and running track. In the war, they had shelters on the playing field, a corridor with seats each side. Other than that he doesn't remember anything at school that would have been different because of the war. Some members of staff he can remember…Dingy Bell (Physics) , Tommy Tout (RE) Mr R W Jackson was headteacher, who also taught Latin. Thank you for your interest in my channel Ciaran.
@ thank you mate! This is very cool, interesting to see how different it is today compared to back in the day, I’ve learnt a lot about Norwich from you, you’ve been a big help thank you!
gr8 videos. have you done pottergate?
Thank you Ryan. I haven't done Pottergate, but it's on my list!
@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich exciting. i'll sub and support. many thanks!
@@ryanpotter9152 thanks, it'll be sometime in June.
The Monkey House at :38 appears to have inscribed on it "Removed from Whitingham and Rebuilt AD1900" (or something like that). I wonder what the story is with that. It's a shame is wasn't removed from that location and rebuilt before the dual carriage way took its place.
It did indeed come fromm Whitlingham but I don't know why!
I think the pub opposite Barn Tavern was the Omnibus Tavern
Thanks very much Paul, that's great.
Correct. And on the other side of St. Benedict's Lane which ran beside the Omnibus Tavern was the Fountain Inn, with only the width of the lane separating the two - !
@@simongee8928 Incredible howm many pubs there were in such a small area.
@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich Indeed. The book 'Norwich Pubs and Breweries Past and Present' by Frances + Michael Holmes is an excellent read and a real eye opener - ! 😊
@@simongee8928 excellent, they have done some good stuff.
Thanks you for us telling the history house
And thank you for commenting.
I always wondered why John Lewis was called Bonds. Such a beautiful old building.
I believe that lots of John Lewis branches were older shops with older names. You might be interested in this video too for more on what was near Bonds.ua-cam.com/video/XVNgg5paqJQ/v-deo.html
Very interesting, having moved from Norwich years ago, I had forgotten street names etc. a very interesting video.
Thank you, I'm glad you found it so interesting
Omnibus tavern till the start of the 20th century then became Harcourt and sons free house till it’s demise sadly.
Thanks, I was completely unaware, and couldn't find the details.
@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich you’re welcome, I lived on Barn Road as a lad so always had in interest in the area,another good video John thanks.
@@kanarykev thank you!
Such a shame that for unkown reasons, stupid pointless music was overlaid onto what might have been an interesting commentary had I been able to listen to it in peace.
Your views were, on balance, shared by others (though rather more politely) and you'll be pleased to learn that more recent videos contain no music.
@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich Would it be polite to talk to someone and switch a radio on whilst you're talking?
It would be pointles and stupid and irritating - and a bit insulting to the person you're talking to. I call things as they are, not by any gauge of politeness.