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28/02/2007, 12:03 AM Strawman Joined on 27/02/2007 Posts 9 Goblin face on Castle Meadow Hi, apologies if this has already been discussed... When I was a kid, some 45 years ago, I used to be terrified by a stone plaque at the left hand side of  Castle Meadow (as you look at the castle)- this was at the Prince of Wales Road end at the foot of the mound, on the side wall of the Shirehall complex - just where the Meadow gardens finish. It depicted the head of an old man with a long beard, and a floppy hat (in later years, I realised that it actually had a rather enigmatic smile) anyone know its history, or what happened to it? It disappeared about 10 years ago and all that remain are 2 holes in the stone. Cheers!   Strawman    Report

28/02/2007, 10:49 AM nevermind Joined on 29/09/2003 Posts 2,412 Re: Goblin face on Castle Meadow yes strawman, as a stonemason I remeber it well, a depiction of the green man of sorts, it was disappeared some years ago approx. the same time the renewal work of the castle mound, installing the lift etc, was carried out. Maybe its lumbering in storage or it was nicked. I am sure that the castle should have a sample picture of the plaque, at least one could recarve it then. Has the EDP got a picture??nevermind    Report

28/02/2007, 11:07 AM Al-Beeb Joined on 13/09/2003 Posts 126 Re: Goblin face on Castle Meadow I once saw a goblin face just off Ber Street. Does that count?      Report

28/02/2007, 11:11 AM spindrift Joined on 04/04/2006 Posts 2,440 Re: Goblin face on Castle Meadow Shirehall Chambers are spooky. I don't remember the green man but there are tunnels under Shirehall connecting the castle with, it's rumoured, the Guildhall. I expect the bloke who nicked the green man ended up cursed like Howard Carter after opening King Tut's tomb who died suddenly  seventy years later in bed.    Report

28/02/2007, 11:25 AM spindrift Joined on 04/04/2006 Posts 2,440 Re: Goblin face on Castle Meadow Blimey, the founder of the british Museum built one of the earlier Shirehalls: In 1789 Sir John Soane built a new Shirehall. It was a controversial building that was unpopular amongst local people. In 1821 William Wilkins won a competition to design a new Shirehall, and also improve the gaol. The new Shirehall was to be built at the base of the mound, where it stands today, and is linked to the Castle by a tunnel. This tunnel was used to take prisoners through to the courts from the prison. http://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/default.asp?Document=210&Image=249&gst=        Report

28/02/2007, 3:16 PM Debbie Joined on 31/03/2005 Posts 41 Re: Goblin face on Castle Meadow Is part of that tunnel what they use for the 'Trenches' thingie now ? Anyway I know that you go from Shirehall to the Castle via the tunnel. As for the plaque, don't remember it but is it possible the Shirehall or Castle have it still ?    Report

28/02/2007, 10:19 PM Monkey Boy Joined on 06/01/2004 The edge of Breckland Posts 815 Re: Goblin face on Castle Meadow  Al-Beeb wrote: I once saw a goblin face just off Ber Street. Does that count? Haha, very good   I too remember the face of an old man in that area of the Castle, but had forgotten about it until I read this thread  I'm just a Chimp off the old block    Report

01/03/2007, 10:45 AM nevermind Joined on 29/09/2003 Posts 2,412 Re: Goblin face on Castle Meadow  Celia, we want our goblin back please! What a great little campaing, is there a photo of the little chap. If you provide me with a photo of it, i could carve a new one and once payed, the EDP could present the new old Goblin and we glue him into place, how about it? nevermind    Report

01/03/2007, 2:27 PM kenneth Joined on 14/08/2003 Posts 1,105 Re: Goblin face on Castle Meadow  nevermind wrote:  Celia, we want our goblin back please! What a great little campaing, is there a photo of the little chap. If you provide me with a photo of it, i could carve a new one and once payed, the EDP could present the new old Goblin and we glue him into place, how about it? nevermind Great idea, Nevermind, but only if someone else takes care of the spelling for any wording to go with it :-)    Report

01/03/2007, 2:43 PM Scaramouche Joined on 02/04/2006 obscure Posts 1,935 Re: Goblin face on Castle Meadow I believe it is possible to recreate this historic artefact via a brief photo-grametric study  of Keith Skipper?    Report

01/03/2007, 2:51 PM nevermind Joined on 29/09/2003 Posts 2,412 Re: Goblin face on Castle Meadow touche mon cherie, luckily there was no wording on it, except for the made in Germany on the back.:-) nevermind    Report

05/03/2007, 10:36 PM Strawman Joined on 27/02/2007 Posts 9 Re: Goblin face on Castle Meadow  Al-Beeb wrote: I once saw a goblin face just off Ber Street. Does that count?   Don't think that reflections in shop windows really count According to the Museum service, they think that the plaque was stolen in the mid 90s, which concurs with my memory. I've asked if they have any photos. I wish I knew its origins. Strawman    Report

07/03/2007, 11:11 AM nevermind Joined on 29/09/2003 Posts 2,412 Re: Goblin face on Castle Meadow dear Strawman, By the look of it as I remeber it, it was a cheeky face with a pointy hat that flopped to one side and some wild hair showing. There must be a photo somewhere, can we ask Archant whether they haveone in the archive or have a public call for a photo of it, so we can make a replica. I propose to use a hard wearing lime stone, Portland should do, a slab of that size would cost less than 60 squid, uncarved. So where are we with this poor little goblin? nevermind    Report

12/03/2007, 10:32 PM Strawman Joined on 27/02/2007 Posts 9 Re: Goblin face on Castle Meadow Well, we still need to get a picture. I've contacted the Museum service, but they have no recollection. I seem to remember an Eastern Evening News picture quiz which had a photo - I guess thats the next port of call. Strawman Strawman    Report

02/04/2007, 8:36 AM LeoL30 Joined on 17/01/2005 Norwich Posts 12 Re: Goblin face on Castle Meadow Hi all, My first post to this forum I remember this gnome/goblin/green man very well. There are a few dotted around Norwich. I'm no expert but I think they are normally used as door or window keystones (mascarons). I think they are moulded rather than carved. As someone in the thread mentions there is one on King Street just off Rose Lane in position over a door. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/298277567/ Look at the comments underneath the photo as Moominpappa06 has posted a photo of the whole door. I do have a slide in the attic of the one on Castle Meadow taken in the 70s. I'll see if I can find it. Cheers Leo Web Page: www.leoreynolds.co.uk Photographs: www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/sets/    Report

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