Anglia Square this, Anglia Square that, Anglia Square the other…love it or loathe it, this is a part of the City of Norwich which is rarely out of the news.
Who knows exactly what the future now holds for this area which was knocked sideways by rampant civic vandalism in the 1960s and 70s.
Houses, shops, a chapel, a school, a cinema, streets and communities have been destroyed in the name of progress. When the “old” stood in the way of the “new.”
It appeared that people and places did not matter. They stood in the way of “progress,”
We should consider and appreciate what went before.
Earlier this year Matthew Williams produced a brilliant book Norwich Over The Water: Demolition and Change looking at the northern city centre before and after redevelopment between 1965 and 1973.
This week a supplement to that book has been published featuring many more fascinating photographs.
Why?
“The catalyst for publishing the first book was the imminent commencement of a public inquiry into an application to redevelop Anglia Square,” explained Mr Williams.
Following publication it was discovered some were taken by the late Jack Roberts, then there were others from George Plunkett, George Swain and Geoffrey Goreham
“Within only two months of the first book appearing, enough material had become available to make a further publication worthwhile,” said Mr Williams.
So, instead of produce another standalone book, the supplement is a perfect companion to its big brother and includes some rare and fascinating photographs of the way it was.
Mr Williams said: “As before, my hope is that this cumulative visual record of what was done to Norwich Over the Water during the 1960s and 1970s, will help inform our understanding of what makes for a healthy development or otherwise.
“It is vital that sound decisions are made this time round, for the while city’s future.”
Mr Williams expressed his thanks to everyone who took the time and trouble to hunt out more important photographs for inclusion in the book.
The supplement costs just £4 and the original book is still available in the shops at £9.50, You can also order a copy from Mr Williams’ website at www.smartcycletraining.co.uk/pages/books.html
Competition winners
Thank you to everyone who entered the competitions to win copies of the books – Norwich Pubs and Breweries: Past and Present and The Old Courts and Yards of Norwich by Frances and Michael Holmes of the Norwich Heritage Projects.
The winners of the pub book were: John Palmer, Veronica Pearson, Stephanie Giles, Malcolm Metcalf and Sheila Bullard.
Those who won a copy of the best-selling courts and yard book were Robert Ashby, John Craft, Lynda Brandish. Jo Utting and Carina Moore.
Coming up…your chance to win a copy of their latest offering….Norwich 1945 to 1960: A Journey from Austerity to Prosperity.
This is another fascinating slice of recent history. Packed with brilliant photographs, stories and personal memories.
Highlighting how life changed beyond all recognition between the end of the Second World War and the start of the swinging 60s.
Norwich Heritage Projects is an independent non-profit-making organisation which simply aims to encourage an appreciation of the heritage of a wonderful city.
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