Salhouse Road
On the corner of Salhouse Road and Mousehold Lane is a model aircraft which you can see below. It was put there to commemorate the 100 years of the RAF.
99 Salhouse Road
The bungalow in the picture below used to be a Cafe called Anne's Café and was run by Anne George. I've also been told there used to a parrot here that swore lots! There was also a poodle dog roaming the café! This has now closed and has been transformed back into the bungalow you can see below. Anyone know when it closed as a café?
The bungalow in the picture below used to be a Cafe called Anne's Café and was run by Anne George. I've also been told there used to a parrot here that swore lots! There was also a poodle dog roaming the café! This has now closed and has been transformed back into the bungalow you can see below. Anyone know when it closed as a café?
Mousehold Light Railway
In the First World War, ammunition made at factories on Salhouse Road (Boulton & Paul) was transported on a light railway on a track through the heath and linking with the tramway before making its way to the Railway Station. Remnants of the rails could be seen until quite recent times in the Station area close to Thorpe Road.
Taken from here - http://www.heritagecity.org/research-centre/at-leisure-in-norwich/mousehold-heath.htm
In the First World War, ammunition made at factories on Salhouse Road (Boulton & Paul) was transported on a light railway on a track through the heath and linking with the tramway before making its way to the Railway Station. Remnants of the rails could be seen until quite recent times in the Station area close to Thorpe Road.
Taken from here - http://www.heritagecity.org/research-centre/at-leisure-in-norwich/mousehold-heath.htm
Fatso's
This building on Salhouse Road was originally called The Yeoman which was built in March 1957 around the same time as the Heartsease Estate estate was being built. The landlord was a Londener called Mr Harry Burnham and his wife Doris. Harry was the landlord of The Yeoman Public House for the majority of the pub's life until he retired. The pub was possibly named in honour of the Norfolk Yeomanry, formed in 1785.
In March 2001 the pub was later refurbished and then run by David Turnbull who also runs the Blue Boar public house on Sprowston road and renamed Tommy T's which was named after David's son This was an American style burger and steak house. The restuarant was famous for its "Elvis Burger" which was massive. I know as I ate a couple of them and felt very full afterwards!
A couple of years later Tommy T's was again taken over and now it is currently called "Fatso's" and is run by Anglia Restuarants and sells alot of the same things that Tommy T' did. If you look at the entrance on Falcoln Road you can actually still see an old Tommy T's sign!
This building on Salhouse Road was originally called The Yeoman which was built in March 1957 around the same time as the Heartsease Estate estate was being built. The landlord was a Londener called Mr Harry Burnham and his wife Doris. Harry was the landlord of The Yeoman Public House for the majority of the pub's life until he retired. The pub was possibly named in honour of the Norfolk Yeomanry, formed in 1785.
In March 2001 the pub was later refurbished and then run by David Turnbull who also runs the Blue Boar public house on Sprowston road and renamed Tommy T's which was named after David's son This was an American style burger and steak house. The restuarant was famous for its "Elvis Burger" which was massive. I know as I ate a couple of them and felt very full afterwards!
A couple of years later Tommy T's was again taken over and now it is currently called "Fatso's" and is run by Anglia Restuarants and sells alot of the same things that Tommy T' did. If you look at the entrance on Falcoln Road you can actually still see an old Tommy T's sign!
Photo - kind permission from Rienk Mebius / http://www.rienkmebius.nl/
http://www.norridge.me.uk
12 Salhouse Road
While walking down the road I noticed the houses start at no 12! Anyone know what happened to the rest?! Maybe Nos 2-10 were also there once but knocked down to make way for Heartsease High when it was built?
While walking down the road I noticed the houses start at no 12! Anyone know what happened to the rest?! Maybe Nos 2-10 were also there once but knocked down to make way for Heartsease High when it was built?
109 Salhouse Road
This used to be a butchers shop called Browns, he also owned and lived in the house next to the pub
in Falcon Road...
This used to be a butchers shop called Browns, he also owned and lived in the house next to the pub
in Falcon Road...
111 Salhouse Road - The Card Shop
The card shop was originally a grocer shop under the name of Goldsmith and also W. & E. Vaissiere
The card shop was originally a grocer shop under the name of Goldsmith and also W. & E. Vaissiere
Sprowston Retail Park
There used to be a big Boulton & Paul building near the corner of Salhouse Road and Moushold Lane. They made aircraft. I need more info please help! There was also aerodrome cottages where Dunelm Mill now stands.
Unit 1 -2 - Dunelm Mill used to be Millers Bros Electrical. Unit 2 started out as Pets At Home and moved to Unit 4
Unit 3 - Carptet Right
Unit 3A - Dreams
Unit 4 - Pets At Home
Unit 5 - DFS
Unit 6 - Harveys
Unit 7 - Sofology
Unit 8 - Wren Living
Unit 9 - Furniture Village
Unit 10 - S.C.S.
Unit 11a - Oak Furniture
Unit 11b - KFC
11B Sprowston Retail Park - Barnards Fencing
Used to be JJB Sports and now KFC. The factory was a 15 acre site was in use between 1826 and 1990. They invented wire netting. They used to produce chain-link fencing by machine. They also made lighthouses off the coast of Brazil and made the gates at Sandringham. They also made the Chessington Zoo in Surrey, later to become Chessington World of Adventures train. More info here. They closed in 1991 and was replaced by the Sprowston Retail Park. Barnards Fencing or sometimes known as Barnard's Iron Works was bombed on 9th July 1940 during the second world war, killing four men as reported in this story here. Later known as Tinsely Wire Industries
There used to be a big Boulton & Paul building near the corner of Salhouse Road and Moushold Lane. They made aircraft. I need more info please help! There was also aerodrome cottages where Dunelm Mill now stands.
Unit 1 -2 - Dunelm Mill used to be Millers Bros Electrical. Unit 2 started out as Pets At Home and moved to Unit 4
Unit 3 - Carptet Right
Unit 3A - Dreams
Unit 4 - Pets At Home
Unit 5 - DFS
Unit 6 - Harveys
Unit 7 - Sofology
Unit 8 - Wren Living
Unit 9 - Furniture Village
Unit 10 - S.C.S.
Unit 11a - Oak Furniture
Unit 11b - KFC
11B Sprowston Retail Park - Barnards Fencing
Used to be JJB Sports and now KFC. The factory was a 15 acre site was in use between 1826 and 1990. They invented wire netting. They used to produce chain-link fencing by machine. They also made lighthouses off the coast of Brazil and made the gates at Sandringham. They also made the Chessington Zoo in Surrey, later to become Chessington World of Adventures train. More info here. They closed in 1991 and was replaced by the Sprowston Retail Park. Barnards Fencing or sometimes known as Barnard's Iron Works was bombed on 9th July 1940 during the second world war, killing four men as reported in this story here. Later known as Tinsely Wire Industries
CJ Ball
CJ Ball
This petrol station opened around 1969. In the 60's it was managed by Alfie Shailer and it was orginally called Wooldand Car Sales. It got redeveloped in the late 80's so that it was just a BP Petrol Station and added a car was round the back.
Ray Gimbert on Facebook tells "I used to work on the pumps at Woodland Car Sales and my Dad Bob Gimbert ran it. "As far as I can recall it's always been a BP filling station. Dad is long gone now, but when he bought into the company, he had a showroom added to the workshops (where the main CJ Ball shop is now) which after several successful years of trading was then pulled down and rebuilt into it's current configuration. After dad retired, it was then split into two business's, where dad's partner retained the petrol sales, but sold on the workshops and new showrooms.
The garage promoted both Simca and Fiat franchises and for a short time Rootes, seeing in the Hillman Imp. Reverting back to Fiat and then to Alfa after Simca was swallowed up by Rootes. In the early 90s The Lind Group acquired the business and franchises, moving them to Heigham St. T The forecourt continues for several more years run by Paul Caston. CJ Ball opened in 2012. CJ Ball was established back in the 50's in Hales.
This petrol station opened around 1969. In the 60's it was managed by Alfie Shailer and it was orginally called Wooldand Car Sales. It got redeveloped in the late 80's so that it was just a BP Petrol Station and added a car was round the back.
Ray Gimbert on Facebook tells "I used to work on the pumps at Woodland Car Sales and my Dad Bob Gimbert ran it. "As far as I can recall it's always been a BP filling station. Dad is long gone now, but when he bought into the company, he had a showroom added to the workshops (where the main CJ Ball shop is now) which after several successful years of trading was then pulled down and rebuilt into it's current configuration. After dad retired, it was then split into two business's, where dad's partner retained the petrol sales, but sold on the workshops and new showrooms.
The garage promoted both Simca and Fiat franchises and for a short time Rootes, seeing in the Hillman Imp. Reverting back to Fiat and then to Alfa after Simca was swallowed up by Rootes. In the early 90s The Lind Group acquired the business and franchises, moving them to Heigham St. T The forecourt continues for several more years run by Paul Caston. CJ Ball opened in 2012. CJ Ball was established back in the 50's in Hales.
1985
1985
https://www.flickr.com/photos/131286969@N05/
2010
2011
2014
Mousehold Heath Aerodrome
The airport was opened by HRH The Prince Of Wales in 1933. Boulton & Paul built the airport for flight testing and making airplans. Believe it or not where The Heartease estate is just off Salhouse it used to be the original Norwich airport! If you go down Roundtree Way you can see some of the original old aircraft hangers and there is another big one on Salhouse Road close to JJB Sport. The airport closed and moved where the current Norwich Airport is when RAF Horsham closed.
The airport was opened by HRH The Prince Of Wales in 1933. Boulton & Paul built the airport for flight testing and making airplans. Believe it or not where The Heartease estate is just off Salhouse it used to be the original Norwich airport! If you go down Roundtree Way you can see some of the original old aircraft hangers and there is another big one on Salhouse Road close to JJB Sport. The airport closed and moved where the current Norwich Airport is when RAF Horsham closed.
Greenborough Farm (Smallpox Hospital)
On a map from 1908 0n this website it shows Greenborough Farm and in brackets it said it was a smallpox Hosptial close to where the entrance is to Deloney Road but I have also read it was opposite where Fatsos is now and thats why there wasnt any houses built on that bit for ages even though there are some new houses there now. If anyone knows more please let me know. Has this hosptial got some link to the naming of Greenborough Road?
On a map from 1908 0n this website it shows Greenborough Farm and in brackets it said it was a smallpox Hosptial close to where the entrance is to Deloney Road but I have also read it was opposite where Fatsos is now and thats why there wasnt any houses built on that bit for ages even though there are some new houses there now. If anyone knows more please let me know. Has this hosptial got some link to the naming of Greenborough Road?
John Faircloth Limited
This family buisiness has been trading since 1936 from the same site you see today at Grange Farm close to The Racecouse. I have emailed John so hopefully he will send me some pictures or more info on his business.
This family buisiness has been trading since 1936 from the same site you see today at Grange Farm close to The Racecouse. I have emailed John so hopefully he will send me some pictures or more info on his business.
Nigel Farrow Cars
Established in 1989 on another site on 32-36 Harvey Lane and the company moved to new premised in 2012 on the old site that used to be the Esso petrol station and later Goldstar Taxis. In 2009 Nigel Farrow Cars demolished the old site with the old house that housed Goldstar taxis.
Established in 1989 Nigel Farrow Cars Ltd. moved into it’s new, purpose built premises at 101 Salhouse Road in 2012. Our MOT Testing Station and service repair workshop comprises of three MOT bays for testing cars, light vans, heavy vans, motorhomes and a five bay workshop where we can service and repair all makes and models of vehicles. Since it was finished in 2012 to our specifications, we are welcoming customers who have been with us for many years (some from the very beginning) and look forward to meeting new customers on a daily basis.
from website - https://nigelfarrowcars.co.uk/
Established in 1989 on another site on 32-36 Harvey Lane and the company moved to new premised in 2012 on the old site that used to be the Esso petrol station and later Goldstar Taxis. In 2009 Nigel Farrow Cars demolished the old site with the old house that housed Goldstar taxis.
Established in 1989 Nigel Farrow Cars Ltd. moved into it’s new, purpose built premises at 101 Salhouse Road in 2012. Our MOT Testing Station and service repair workshop comprises of three MOT bays for testing cars, light vans, heavy vans, motorhomes and a five bay workshop where we can service and repair all makes and models of vehicles. Since it was finished in 2012 to our specifications, we are welcoming customers who have been with us for many years (some from the very beginning) and look forward to meeting new customers on a daily basis.
from website - https://nigelfarrowcars.co.uk/
2008
Open Academy (formerly Heartsease High School)
Open Academy is a secondary school with academy status located in the Heartsease area of Norwich, in the English county of Norfolk.
The academy was first formed in September 2008, replacing Heartsease High School. Originally housed in the buildings of the former school, Open Academy moved to new buildings in September 2010. It is a Christian school that is sponsored by the Bishop of Norwichand businessman Graham Dacre.[1]
The school offers GCSEs, BTECs and vocational courses as programmes of study for its pupils. The school has a specialism in environmental science and offers courses geared towards the specialism.[2]
Open Academy was formerly a part of the Kett Sixth Form College consortium, which also includes Sprowston Community High Schooland Sewell Park College. The Kett operates as a separate entity to its host schools.[3] As of 2013, the Academy gained a separate Sixth Form, to be known as OA6 which is led by Claire Nugent. OA6 is a small, but growing Sixth Form, offering a variety of A-Levels and BTECs.
Open Academy is a secondary school with academy status located in the Heartsease area of Norwich, in the English county of Norfolk.
The academy was first formed in September 2008, replacing Heartsease High School. Originally housed in the buildings of the former school, Open Academy moved to new buildings in September 2010. It is a Christian school that is sponsored by the Bishop of Norwichand businessman Graham Dacre.[1]
The school offers GCSEs, BTECs and vocational courses as programmes of study for its pupils. The school has a specialism in environmental science and offers courses geared towards the specialism.[2]
Open Academy was formerly a part of the Kett Sixth Form College consortium, which also includes Sprowston Community High Schooland Sewell Park College. The Kett operates as a separate entity to its host schools.[3] As of 2013, the Academy gained a separate Sixth Form, to be known as OA6 which is led by Claire Nugent. OA6 is a small, but growing Sixth Form, offering a variety of A-Levels and BTECs.
2008 - Where Open Academy now stands
Woodside News, Food And Wine
If you look at this shop there are 2 doors. This was once actually 2 shops Bartams and Jubbs.
Bartums Newsagents was on the left hand side. It was run by Frank and Elsie Bartram. It later became a Mace shop.
Jubbs was on the right hand side of Woodside News as you look at it today. Alan and Jean Jubb owned the shop for over 30 years and it was a Mace grocery shop. They sold the shop in 1976. Jubbs was sold to Doug and Sarah and then knocked into one as it is today. Thanks to John Jubb (Alan and Jean's son) who emailed me.
There was briefly a kebab van on the car park around 2015 but it was soon gone.
Bartums Newsagents was on the left hand side. It was run by Frank and Elsie Bartram. It later became a Mace shop.
Jubbs was on the right hand side of Woodside News as you look at it today. Alan and Jean Jubb owned the shop for over 30 years and it was a Mace grocery shop. They sold the shop in 1976. Jubbs was sold to Doug and Sarah and then knocked into one as it is today. Thanks to John Jubb (Alan and Jean's son) who emailed me.
There was briefly a kebab van on the car park around 2015 but it was soon gone.
Wilco / Fastfit
The building where Wilco is now used be called Breck Farm and later it was an egg packing factory called New Lay Eggs by Nurdin and Peacock. The Wilco stores is owned by The Shortis Group and in October 2013 celebrated 50 years in the trade. The company started in a small shop on Barn Road.
Taken from their website here is a little history lesson about the company.
"The Wilco success story started in 1963 when Kevin Shortis as a 23 year old opened his first Motorist Discount Store in Norwich, bringing cut price, branded products to local car owners. It was an immediate hit. More stores were opened until in 1971 the company was taken over. However, this was not successful, due to the lack of personal attention and after a few years Kevin Shortis formed Wilco Motor Spares and then bought back four of his original stores including the Salhouse Road Head Office.
Now joined by his son Richard, Wilco had expanded to 18 outlets by 2004. In August of that year, Wilco took over the Leeds-based Motosave with it's 24 shops and fitting bays, therefore increasing the group to 42 stores staffed by over 600 enthusiastic employees, who are there to help by offering the right stock at the right price."
More here - https://www.wilcodirect.co.uk/50-years
Zeller Plastics
This used to be one of the sites of Laurence & Scott. in 1991 it was CMB. The Zeller Plastik UK plant at Corby, Northants is closed and the entire operation is moved to the Norwich factory in 1996. Source
Rackheath Landfill Site
If you drive out of Norwich towards Rackheath on Salhouse Road go past The Racecourse and on at the very 1st tight bend in the countryside just to the left of this used to be a layby and in this layby was the entrance to the old rubbish tip. This area is called Bulmer Coppice.
The building where Wilco is now used be called Breck Farm and later it was an egg packing factory called New Lay Eggs by Nurdin and Peacock. The Wilco stores is owned by The Shortis Group and in October 2013 celebrated 50 years in the trade. The company started in a small shop on Barn Road.
Taken from their website here is a little history lesson about the company.
"The Wilco success story started in 1963 when Kevin Shortis as a 23 year old opened his first Motorist Discount Store in Norwich, bringing cut price, branded products to local car owners. It was an immediate hit. More stores were opened until in 1971 the company was taken over. However, this was not successful, due to the lack of personal attention and after a few years Kevin Shortis formed Wilco Motor Spares and then bought back four of his original stores including the Salhouse Road Head Office.
Now joined by his son Richard, Wilco had expanded to 18 outlets by 2004. In August of that year, Wilco took over the Leeds-based Motosave with it's 24 shops and fitting bays, therefore increasing the group to 42 stores staffed by over 600 enthusiastic employees, who are there to help by offering the right stock at the right price."
More here - https://www.wilcodirect.co.uk/50-years
Zeller Plastics
This used to be one of the sites of Laurence & Scott. in 1991 it was CMB. The Zeller Plastik UK plant at Corby, Northants is closed and the entire operation is moved to the Norwich factory in 1996. Source
Rackheath Landfill Site
If you drive out of Norwich towards Rackheath on Salhouse Road go past The Racecourse and on at the very 1st tight bend in the countryside just to the left of this used to be a layby and in this layby was the entrance to the old rubbish tip. This area is called Bulmer Coppice.
1988. Shows the massive area the tip covered. - http://www.historic-maps.norfolk.gov.uk/
The Racecourse
Before this building was built it was the site of the old Grandstand as next door used to be The Norwich Racecourse. The new building you see today used to be called Sprowston Grange and was a 14 bedroom hotel and country club on a seven acre site. On 9th July 1940 Two Luftwaffe bombers started an air raid and that air raid dropped a bomb next to Sprowston Grange where it killed the wife of a carpenter.
Thanks to Jean Green who has sent me this. "In the late 1940's and 50's it was owned by the Hammond family and the Old Rackheath Cricket Club played on a field behind the house."
In November 1965 local business man Roy Dashwood (who sadly passed away in August 2013) brought the hotel for £24,000. He also brought the 25-acre 9 hole golf course next door to the hotel in between The Hotel and what is now Harrisons Drive for £11,750. Later in 1975 he submitted plans for 200 houses on the
25-acre golf course but lost a planning appeal. An inspector ruled that it should remain as farm land. In December 1975, he submitted plans for a £130,000 24-bay golf driving range and 18-hole pitch and putt course off Salhouse Road. This was also rejected. Source
The building is more known for the Washington 400 Club that was next door. It is now the childrens play area. This club opened in December 1965 and was a nightclub that opened after 11pm that included live music, a casino and strippers such as Tropical Linda. Roy also brought big stars of the day to the venue including Bob Monkhouse. Frankie Howerd, and Engelbert Humperdinck. Tony Weston was the Compere.
The club was also well known as it had a house band. One of the members of the band was a nice man called Pete Miller who also used to be in Peter Jay And The Jaywalkers and had the hit "Can Can 62" in 1962. (Later covered by Bad Manners). The lineups and names of the band changed a few times from The Paul Saint Trio, Peter London Trio and finally The News. Pete Milller appeared in all these lineups. Pete used to record and compose music at his
Margetson Avenue studio in Thorpe Hamlet in the afternoons and in the evening play at the club around this time. He also used to have local bands at the time record demos at his studio. Some of them recordings are here on Pete's website. Pete now lives in San Francisco. I thank Pete for his info and the awesome picture below!
Sources: http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/obituaries/roy_dashwood_from_norwich_market_stall_holder_to_millionaire_1_2351302
http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/derek-james/from_the_washington_club_to_the_eurovision_for_engelbert_1_1352690
Before this building was built it was the site of the old Grandstand as next door used to be The Norwich Racecourse. The new building you see today used to be called Sprowston Grange and was a 14 bedroom hotel and country club on a seven acre site. On 9th July 1940 Two Luftwaffe bombers started an air raid and that air raid dropped a bomb next to Sprowston Grange where it killed the wife of a carpenter.
Thanks to Jean Green who has sent me this. "In the late 1940's and 50's it was owned by the Hammond family and the Old Rackheath Cricket Club played on a field behind the house."
In November 1965 local business man Roy Dashwood (who sadly passed away in August 2013) brought the hotel for £24,000. He also brought the 25-acre 9 hole golf course next door to the hotel in between The Hotel and what is now Harrisons Drive for £11,750. Later in 1975 he submitted plans for 200 houses on the
25-acre golf course but lost a planning appeal. An inspector ruled that it should remain as farm land. In December 1975, he submitted plans for a £130,000 24-bay golf driving range and 18-hole pitch and putt course off Salhouse Road. This was also rejected. Source
The building is more known for the Washington 400 Club that was next door. It is now the childrens play area. This club opened in December 1965 and was a nightclub that opened after 11pm that included live music, a casino and strippers such as Tropical Linda. Roy also brought big stars of the day to the venue including Bob Monkhouse. Frankie Howerd, and Engelbert Humperdinck. Tony Weston was the Compere.
The club was also well known as it had a house band. One of the members of the band was a nice man called Pete Miller who also used to be in Peter Jay And The Jaywalkers and had the hit "Can Can 62" in 1962. (Later covered by Bad Manners). The lineups and names of the band changed a few times from The Paul Saint Trio, Peter London Trio and finally The News. Pete Milller appeared in all these lineups. Pete used to record and compose music at his
Margetson Avenue studio in Thorpe Hamlet in the afternoons and in the evening play at the club around this time. He also used to have local bands at the time record demos at his studio. Some of them recordings are here on Pete's website. Pete now lives in San Francisco. I thank Pete for his info and the awesome picture below!
Sources: http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/obituaries/roy_dashwood_from_norwich_market_stall_holder_to_millionaire_1_2351302
http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/derek-james/from_the_washington_club_to_the_eurovision_for_engelbert_1_1352690
In June 1970, the Washington 400 Club closed because it had lost its licence after a change in the gaming laws. The Washington Hotel and The Washington 400 Club sold for £40,000 in 1970 to Martham Farmer, William Chapman. He also kept the golf course next door.
Around 1974 it became The Hotel Eiger. Chris W got in contact with me to say "Around 1974/5, I arranged a number of Annual Dinners there for various organisations and at the time, it was the Hotel Eiger. The Manager was a Mr
Chis. Baumann who came over to the UK from Zurich.
In the 1980s The Washington Hotel was renamed Ebeneezers. An aerial map from 1988 shows it has a swimming pool to the right hand side of the Hotel. I have also read on the internet at some point it was called The Hotel Eiger and the Manager was a Mr Chis. Baumann who came over to the UK from Zurich. It was also once a Brewers Fayre pub. But if you can help I need dates please thanks.
In 1984 it was Georgian Leisure Club
In 1995 it became The Racecourse which got its name from the old race track behind John Fairchlough Cars.
In 2001 The Richardson Group brought the pub.
In 2013 the pub was sold to Castle Carvery and closed for a couple of months while they
refurbished the whole pub and play area. On 23rd August 2013 it reopened.
Update: Thanks to Kevin Newman for this
"Squash club built when it was the Eiger,then it became Georgian Hotel and Squash club, then when the Georgian was sold the squash club and hotel went their separate ways - sorry Ross Patzelt no pics though - nb. the squash cub was opened on an August 1st to coincide with Swiss National Day, opened by Alan Ball, don't know why 'cos he didn't play squash!"
Thanks to Bernie Galasky for this via Facebook
"I worked at the Washington club 400 when it first opened first act to perform their were the dallas boys then Lonnie donegon it was a hectic place to work I was the bar cellar man can tell you lots of stories.
Well ross another story! The hotel had a 9 hole golf course which Roy shut down a couple of months after taking ovet sacked the green keepers he also emptied the swimming pool he employed six Italian waiters and used the boiler room to sleep them in he wouldn't have them in the hotel his side kick guy by the name of joey just out of prison for GBH I think was a git to them , We had a singer called Kenny Day there for a couple of weeks then a magician for a week but things began to go quiet so thats when the strippers started yep! You got TROPCAL LINDA the first one
Around 1974 it became The Hotel Eiger. Chris W got in contact with me to say "Around 1974/5, I arranged a number of Annual Dinners there for various organisations and at the time, it was the Hotel Eiger. The Manager was a Mr
Chis. Baumann who came over to the UK from Zurich.
In the 1980s The Washington Hotel was renamed Ebeneezers. An aerial map from 1988 shows it has a swimming pool to the right hand side of the Hotel. I have also read on the internet at some point it was called The Hotel Eiger and the Manager was a Mr Chis. Baumann who came over to the UK from Zurich. It was also once a Brewers Fayre pub. But if you can help I need dates please thanks.
In 1984 it was Georgian Leisure Club
In 1995 it became The Racecourse which got its name from the old race track behind John Fairchlough Cars.
In 2001 The Richardson Group brought the pub.
In 2013 the pub was sold to Castle Carvery and closed for a couple of months while they
refurbished the whole pub and play area. On 23rd August 2013 it reopened.
Update: Thanks to Kevin Newman for this
"Squash club built when it was the Eiger,then it became Georgian Hotel and Squash club, then when the Georgian was sold the squash club and hotel went their separate ways - sorry Ross Patzelt no pics though - nb. the squash cub was opened on an August 1st to coincide with Swiss National Day, opened by Alan Ball, don't know why 'cos he didn't play squash!"
Thanks to Bernie Galasky for this via Facebook
"I worked at the Washington club 400 when it first opened first act to perform their were the dallas boys then Lonnie donegon it was a hectic place to work I was the bar cellar man can tell you lots of stories.
Well ross another story! The hotel had a 9 hole golf course which Roy shut down a couple of months after taking ovet sacked the green keepers he also emptied the swimming pool he employed six Italian waiters and used the boiler room to sleep them in he wouldn't have them in the hotel his side kick guy by the name of joey just out of prison for GBH I think was a git to them , We had a singer called Kenny Day there for a couple of weeks then a magician for a week but things began to go quiet so thats when the strippers started yep! You got TROPCAL LINDA the first one
Tom Smith Cracker Factory
Close to the junction of Deloney Road and Salhouse Road was the famous Tom Smith Cracker Factory that opened in
1953 after moving from its other factory in London. Before 1935 the factory was a Caleys chocolate factory. They had a big fire in 1963 and if you look closely at the building near the roof you can see bits of black. Is this signs of the old fire? It closed in 1998.
Peter Kimpton has made a book all about crackers and alot of info about the cracker factory called Tom Smith's Christmas Crackers: An Illustrated History and you can read more information about the book and how to buy it here
Close to the junction of Deloney Road and Salhouse Road was the famous Tom Smith Cracker Factory that opened in
1953 after moving from its other factory in London. Before 1935 the factory was a Caleys chocolate factory. They had a big fire in 1963 and if you look closely at the building near the roof you can see bits of black. Is this signs of the old fire? It closed in 1998.
Peter Kimpton has made a book all about crackers and alot of info about the cracker factory called Tom Smith's Christmas Crackers: An Illustrated History and you can read more information about the book and how to buy it here
Picture of the Tom Smith Norwich factory fire in 1963.
