I have always had an interest in history.
A few years ago I was introduced to a book called disappearing Norwich by George A Plunkett, I may be mistaken but I believe it was my father who first showed me the book.
A little bit of research on the internet found that George's son Jonathan was the author of a web site explaining the work of George Plunkett and displaying 3600 photographs that George Plunkett had taken of Norwich City.
Jonathan Plunkett was very kind in sending me a CDROM containing the photographs that had featured in two books by G.A.Plunkett.

I have since been in contact with Jonathan  Plunkett who is still busy digitally scanning those old photographs so they can remain for generations to see.


Sadly George passed away in December 2006 aged 93.


Plunkett's Pictures of Norwich and Norfolk offers a unique view of our area and celebrates the passion and work of a man dedicated to capturing Norwich and Norfolk on film.
Between the 1930's and his death in 2006, George Plunkett took thousands of photographs of Norwich and Norfolk, producing a fascinating record of the many changes that occurred and capturing places which have since disappeared. With a biographical essay celebrating George's life and love of photography.

 

 

This commemorative collection of nearly 200 of his very best photographs from the 1930's to the 1960's includes pictures of Norwich celebrating the Silver Jubilee in 1935 and the Coronation in 1937, the Market Place reconstruction and building of the City Hall, preparations for the War, as well as the St Stephen's Street development and evidence of how the city looked before the Inner Link Road.

His photography of Norfolk is also recognised, with a selection of sights from around the county some of which no longer exist.

The Photographs

 






 

Above is Grapes Hill in 1933 and below

is Norwich Market Place.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fye Bridge in 1931.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking down from Norwich Castle Mound towards the bell hotel and the Castle Hotel in 1938.

 

The Corner of Queens street and Tombland in 1939.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

wonderful photograph of Carrow road in 1935. Not the home of the Canaries Football team yet but the venue of the Norwich Speedway.

 


 
The Old Police tin hut on Cattle Market Street 1936

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corner of Golden Ball Street and Ber Street 1937.

 

 
















 

 

 

 

Pitt Street in 1936.
for those who do not recognise it this is the road that now leads to the Magdelen Street flyover.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Theatre Royal destroyed by fire in 1934.

 

 

 
Magdelen Street in 1936 (spot the tram lines)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valori's fish shop on Dereham Road 1937.
There is still a Valori's shop there today.

 

The following Photo's are Real Gem's and I have to give credit and very special thanks to Jonathan Plunkett for his permission to use them and his supplying of them.
These are direct copies from the original photographs taken by George Plunkett and so therefore the detail is excellent and I am able to enlarge and enhance the photo's more.

 



We just have to start with this one. looking down woodcock road to the small roundabout that splits woodcock road. This taken in 1934.

look at the two houses to the right, the gap in the middle is where Pauline and Derek now live. Now you can picture it can't you!!

 


 



A 1934 look down Wall Road to Sprowston Road.

 



 Woodcock Road junction with Aylsham Road and not a car in site.

 



Top of Woodcocok Road as it meets St Clements Hill.
What was to become the Blyth Jex School (recently name changed to Sewell Park College) would be merged from two smaller single sex schools on the right hand side just behind the wall.

 



Top of Heartsease Lane and junction with Plumstead Road running across and Harvey Lane opposite.
Notice no St Williams Way as Heartsease Lane and Harvey Lane was the Main A47 out of Norwich.
The White Building on the right is the Heartsease Pub, Still there Today.
 

 

 



Heartsease Lane again, but this time looking up toward Plumstead Road.
On the right side, and in those fields is now where the Valley Drive housing Estate is.
Of course No Heartsease estate as this was not built until 17 yrs later in 1953. Indeed Heartsease did not exist at all, the area was known then as Thorpe St Andrews.
 

 



How about this wonderful old photograph.
1933 and the Waterloo park paddling pool.
This photograph is extra special in certain ways as I spent a lot of my childhood on Waterloo Park
when visiting both sets of my Grandparents.
Notice that there are no trees or bushes at all that divide the park areas as there are now.

 

All photographs used here are with the kind permission of the Plunkett Family and may not be copied.

photographs Copyright © G.A.F.Plunkett 2004

www.themeltonfamily.co.uk