Clearance that brought a dream to an end

Argyle Street showing the first phase of the redevelopment of the area just over a year since the first houses were demolished in February 1985. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Most have a tale to tell and over the next few months we will be taking you out and about to find out just how and why these names came about.

Let's start with A – and the story of a small street tucked away in an area of the city which was destroyed by planners in the 1950s/60s. They called in 'slum clearance' but this street survived...to become known across the world.

Houses being demolished in the clearance programme at Argyle Street, February 1985. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Argyle Street

It sits on the edge of what was once the 'village on the hill' – the area between Ber Street and King Street where thousands of people lived in the many streets, courts and yards.

Then the planners came along. The destruction was savage. While some were in a poor condition, others could have been renovated...but they stood in the way of 'progress'. Whole roads along with factories, shops, and pubs were swept away forever and most of the people moved out to the suburbs...but there was street off the new Rouen Road and now in the shadow of Normandie Tower which escaped – Argyle Street.

The whole idea had been for the University of East Anglia to buy the terrace houses from the council for student homes. In all ended in a mess and as the talks dragged on the houses remained empty... until the squatters moved in. It was at the end of 1979 when the first ones set up home and the Argyle Street Alternative Republic was born. But this was no ordinary 'here today, gone tomorrow' squat.

Argyle Street eviction in February 1985. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

The new residents turned this street into one like no other. It was a home for shared living and community spirit.

The people were well organised, forming a co-operative, but hopes of getting a grant for an ambitious renovation scheme were dashed when the government stepped in to stop the council selling or leasing houses to the community.

The council decided to demolish the houses and the bailiffs moved in during February of 1985. As the Evening News said at the time, it was the 'Death of a Dream'.

We will never know what the street would have looked like today if the renovation scheme had been given the go-ahead.

A long battle to evict squatters who had taken over and occupied the street - February 1985. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

As one former resident, Eamonn Burgess said: 'For the first three years Argyle Street was the most powerful, fantastic experience anyone could ever wish for; after that it turned for the worse.

That turning point came when the Department of the Environment blocked the council's plans to sell or lease the homes to the co-operative in 1982. 'The council could no longer allow us to live there under licence.

'Once you lose security of tenure you lose people that want to invest their own blood, sweat and tears,' added Eamonn.

The houses were demolished and new ones built but in more recent times some of the properties at the end of the street near Southgate Lane have been boarded up because of structural problems.

The first house demolished in Argyle Street, 20th February, 1985. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Abinger Way

Abinger is a village in Surrey, but there is a local link. Sir James Scarlett was an MP for Norwich in 1833 and 1835. He was called to the House of Lords as Baron Abinger of Abinger in the country of Surrey of the City of Norwich.

Alan Colman who was killed in the Second World War. Alan Road may have been named after him. (Image: Archant Library)

Alan Road (King Street)

This road may recall two members of the famous Colman family, who owned most of the property in this area around Carrow Works where thousands worked - Russell Colman's younger brother, who died at the age of 30 of a lung complaint, or his son Alan, a man who did much for the unemployed in the city, who was also a sailor, a flyer and a top skier. He was described as a fiery pilot who was killed in an air crash in 1943.

Aldryche Road (Lloyd Road)

Ampthill Street, off Unthank Road, after a scheme to close it to traffic and landscape the area by the city parks department. February, 1977 . Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

The Aldryche family served Norwich well in the 15th and 16th centuries. Thomas was a draper who served as sheriff and mayor while one of his sons, also Thomas, was burgess in Parliament in 1555, 1558 and 1572.

As burgess he was paid four shillings a day. He was a grocer who lived in Colegate in a former pub and weaving factory. He died in about 1528 and gave £5 to the poor.

Ampthill Street (Unthank Road)

Albert Hansell, Chimney Sweep (sitting on motorbike) who lived at 39 Long Row, Angel Road. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

More than a century ago this street - now traffic free and a fine place to live - was called Bedford Street. Then the corporation realised there was another Bedford Street in the city centre.

Being faithful to the original name, it was decided on another town in Bedfordshire, and called it Ampthill Street.

The word - no disrespect to any residents - comes from old English meaning 'ant-heap' or 'rat-infested hill'.

The Royal Arcade Back of the Inns entrance taken from Castle Street , 1987. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Angel Road (Waterloo Road to Catton Grove Road)

From the earliest days of the inns when they were mostly hostels set up by pilgrims by monasteries and abbeys, they were inns of religious significance, and The Angel was a popular name.

Our picture shows chimney sweep Albert Hansell, who lived at Long Row, off Angel Road, and other talking about what the future could hold on the day war, was declared in September, 1939.

Arcade Street (Castle Street)

Opened in 1899. The amazing Royal Arcade was so well described as a fragment from the Arabian Nights dropped into the heart of the Fine City.

It was built on the site occupied by the stables and the yard of the former Royal Hotel on Gentleman's Walk.

This unique arcade was designed by the architect George Skipper - a man described by John Betjeman as 'altogether remarkable and original'. We have a lot to thank him for.

Don't miss next week when we continue our stroll down the roads and streets, telling more stories behind the names.

Make sure you join our Facebook group, Norwich Remembers, for a nostalgic look at Norwich over the decades. You can share your own photos and memories or simply browse through those shared by other people.