North Walsham Road
12 North Walsham Road
Now called Woodman Court but techniclly I think this is now on School Lane but the original building and address was 2-4 North Walsham Road. This was once Bob Clarkes Grocery Store who also doubled up as a chimney sweep. Also a shop called Simcocks and ran by George Simcock (picture below), a bakery and then later became a Mace Shop and then Linda and Davids run by Linda and David Kruse. The boundary between Old Catton and Sprowston runs through this old shop.
The shop was called Linda and David’s. There was a car crash and a fire about 2006 The rebuilding started soon after but then it was left unfinished for several years. The flats were finally finished about 2012.
David Scotter I've lived here since I was 2 so 43 years remember it as the mace shop and lindas then it burnt down after a lorry or something crashed into the shop there was an old date stone that the heritage people were looking for they told my late dad about it about 1910 was in the upper half of the building whether it was recovered I don't know but remember the old building a smoldering ruin 😕
John White Remember George well. His son David ran the youth club in Carton village hall.
Now called Woodman Court but techniclly I think this is now on School Lane but the original building and address was 2-4 North Walsham Road. This was once Bob Clarkes Grocery Store who also doubled up as a chimney sweep. Also a shop called Simcocks and ran by George Simcock (picture below), a bakery and then later became a Mace Shop and then Linda and Davids run by Linda and David Kruse. The boundary between Old Catton and Sprowston runs through this old shop.
The shop was called Linda and David’s. There was a car crash and a fire about 2006 The rebuilding started soon after but then it was left unfinished for several years. The flats were finally finished about 2012.
David Scotter I've lived here since I was 2 so 43 years remember it as the mace shop and lindas then it burnt down after a lorry or something crashed into the shop there was an old date stone that the heritage people were looking for they told my late dad about it about 1910 was in the upper half of the building whether it was recovered I don't know but remember the old building a smoldering ruin 😕
John White Remember George well. His son David ran the youth club in Carton village hall.
Deborah J Slattery tells us "George Simcock always added up the items in your basket in his head. He was so quick you never got a chance to work out whether it was right. He was a huge character and the shop was always busy."
11 North Walsham Road - The Woodman Public House
To the left of The Woodman used to be two cottages. One of these was a butchers run by Mr Webb. When the road was widened the cottages were demolishd and he moved to where The Corner Shop is now on the corner of George Hill and North Walsham Road at 127 Constitution Hill.
To the left of The Woodman used to be two cottages. One of these was a butchers run by Mr Webb. When the road was widened the cottages were demolishd and he moved to where The Corner Shop is now on the corner of George Hill and North Walsham Road at 127 Constitution Hill.
25 North Walsham Road - The Old Post Office
There was a Post Office at No 25 North Walsham Road. The house is still there. It was run by Alice Osborn in 1944. It was also in a few different locations. Once on the junction of George Hill and North Walsham Road somewhere and also opposite Dixons Fold.
There was a Post Office at No 25 North Walsham Road. The house is still there. It was run by Alice Osborn in 1944. It was also in a few different locations. Once on the junction of George Hill and North Walsham Road somewhere and also opposite Dixons Fold.
53 North Walsham Road - Camilla Brides
This shop was built around 1969 and started out life as a shop called Hippersons. Brian and Valerie Hipperson kept it from the start. Mike Smith got in touch to say that he was a papeboy there from 1969 - 1973. Later it became Martins Newsagents, Forboys that Clive and Shirley ran and then Spencer Ward Residentials. Anyone know what else it was? It is now Camilla Brides and the bride shop has been running for over 30 years but not always at this location.
Richard Birchenall tells us
I am sure Brian Hippersons original shop was on the corner of School Lane and Constitution Hill which he took over in 1959 when I think he was only 19 years old which is some achievement at that age. Later this shop was owned by a Mr Etchel and after that it was a flower shop for a long time and is now an estate agents. Brian and Valerie Hipperson sold there Newsagents business to Forbuoys Ltd in April 1980 after running it for 21 years . Don and Lin Ruth managed the business until June 1985 when they moved back to there native Isle of Wight. Looking at the house to the rear of the shop at number 53 North Walsham Road there is evidence that it was once originally a bungalow as there is a distinct difference in the brickwork from where the roofline of the original bungalow would have been. I did a paper round for Brian from 1978 until he sold the shop and then for Don when Forbuoys took it over. Hope this information brings back some happy memories.
This shop was built around 1969 and started out life as a shop called Hippersons. Brian and Valerie Hipperson kept it from the start. Mike Smith got in touch to say that he was a papeboy there from 1969 - 1973. Later it became Martins Newsagents, Forboys that Clive and Shirley ran and then Spencer Ward Residentials. Anyone know what else it was? It is now Camilla Brides and the bride shop has been running for over 30 years but not always at this location.
Richard Birchenall tells us
I am sure Brian Hippersons original shop was on the corner of School Lane and Constitution Hill which he took over in 1959 when I think he was only 19 years old which is some achievement at that age. Later this shop was owned by a Mr Etchel and after that it was a flower shop for a long time and is now an estate agents. Brian and Valerie Hipperson sold there Newsagents business to Forbuoys Ltd in April 1980 after running it for 21 years . Don and Lin Ruth managed the business until June 1985 when they moved back to there native Isle of Wight. Looking at the house to the rear of the shop at number 53 North Walsham Road there is evidence that it was once originally a bungalow as there is a distinct difference in the brickwork from where the roofline of the original bungalow would have been. I did a paper round for Brian from 1978 until he sold the shop and then for Don when Forbuoys took it over. Hope this information brings back some happy memories.
65 North Walsham Road - Yeomans
Established in 1963 by Bernard & Joan Yeomans. Used to be on Ber St.
Established in 1963 by Bernard & Joan Yeomans. Used to be on Ber St.
67 North Walsham Road - Dye's Pharmacy
Used to be a butchers shop in 1988. A couple of different uses for the shop such as a hot food takeaway and chinese takeaway were both refused in the 80's.
Used to be a butchers shop in 1988. A couple of different uses for the shop such as a hot food takeaway and chinese takeaway were both refused in the 80's.

78 North Walsham Road - The Dove
The house below is shown as being a public house called The Dove in this old map from 1842-1952. Dovedales was named after it. It closed on 21st June 1909.
The house below is shown as being a public house called The Dove in this old map from 1842-1952. Dovedales was named after it. It closed on 21st June 1909.
83 North Walsham Road - Break Charity Shop
This is now a charity shop. It used to be a hardware store for many years and before that a Co-Op and a video shop.
This is now a charity shop. It used to be a hardware store for many years and before that a Co-Op and a video shop.
98, 98a & 98b North Walsham Road
This row of houses facing the opposite way to the others we think may have been workers to the brick yard where Dovedales is now or old farm houses.
This row of houses facing the opposite way to the others we think may have been workers to the brick yard where Dovedales is now or old farm houses.
102 North Walsham Road - John Brown Funeral Services
This Funeral parlour was establishd in 1970 and originally on 302 Constitution Hill. It used to be a Sunday School run by Ethel Futter & her dad 'Pop' in the 50's.
In the 70s a milkman used to house his horse and cart in the gardens of the school buildings apparently. In 2019 John Brown died and this was written on his website.
"John Brown was a funeral director in Norwich for many years before starting on his own in 1970. First of all he was on Constitution Hill in Sprowston.Then in 1972 he acquired the site of the Old Catton Methodist Church on North Walsham Road Sprowston were we still are today, some 40 years later.
The Methodist chapel had to be sadly brought to ground and the new funeral home was born. John worked hard with his family and built the business until he was pleased to have David Bridge join him in 1996.
David had been in the funeral profession since the age of 16 and with now over 40 years experience he now runs the funeral home.
We are very proud to still be fully independent family funeral directors with our own modern Volvo fleet of cars. Refurbished chapel of rest and office on our own extensive and tranquil grounds and gardens."
This Funeral parlour was establishd in 1970 and originally on 302 Constitution Hill. It used to be a Sunday School run by Ethel Futter & her dad 'Pop' in the 50's.
In the 70s a milkman used to house his horse and cart in the gardens of the school buildings apparently. In 2019 John Brown died and this was written on his website.
"John Brown was a funeral director in Norwich for many years before starting on his own in 1970. First of all he was on Constitution Hill in Sprowston.Then in 1972 he acquired the site of the Old Catton Methodist Church on North Walsham Road Sprowston were we still are today, some 40 years later.
The Methodist chapel had to be sadly brought to ground and the new funeral home was born. John worked hard with his family and built the business until he was pleased to have David Bridge join him in 1996.
David had been in the funeral profession since the age of 16 and with now over 40 years experience he now runs the funeral home.
We are very proud to still be fully independent family funeral directors with our own modern Volvo fleet of cars. Refurbished chapel of rest and office on our own extensive and tranquil grounds and gardens."
104-106 North Walsham Road - War Memorial Cottages
These were built to commemorate those men of the parish who did not return home from World War I in 1918.
These were built to commemorate those men of the parish who did not return home from World War I in 1918.
112 - 114 North Walsham Road
This used to be Foxes Grocery Shop run by Mrs Fox and her husband ran a carpentry business. it was later kept by Maurice and Pauline Lince, then it passed hands several times before closing.
This used to be Foxes Grocery Shop run by Mrs Fox and her husband ran a carpentry business. it was later kept by Maurice and Pauline Lince, then it passed hands several times before closing.
118 North Walsham Road
Used to be a guest house in 1983.
Used to be a guest house in 1983.
122 North Walsham Road - Eastern Business Systems Ltd, Royal Oak House
This pub closed on August 30th 2012. Used to be run for a long time by Ken and Kathy Spinks.Darren Reilly was the last landlord. This building has now become the headquarters for Eastern Business Systems Ltd that used to be on Roundtree Close.
This pub closed on August 30th 2012. Used to be run for a long time by Ken and Kathy Spinks.Darren Reilly was the last landlord. This building has now become the headquarters for Eastern Business Systems Ltd that used to be on Roundtree Close.

169 North Walsham Road
The boundary between Sprowston and Old Catton runs through this shop.
The boundary between Sprowston and Old Catton runs through this shop.