I would occasionally be asked if a book would emerge from the Colonel Unthank’s Norwich blog but I had to wait until the second Covid lockdown before I had the opportunity. I rewrote selected posts, sorted out which pictures could or could not be used, wandered the city with my camera and generally saved my sanity during the great isolation. The resulting book – Colonel Unthank’s Norwich: A Sideways Look at the City – is a collection of articles on the history and buildings of Norwich.
All chapters are based on personal research yet this was never intended to be a straight-on history book that followed a timeline. Topics are eclectic but, as characters and buildings are encountered in different contexts, patterns emerge and – hopefully – provide a sense of how the city came to look the way it does.
One of the articles is about the city’s fine collection of Georgian doorways. In this, I followed the path of Kent and Stephenson who, in a book published in 1948, showed 20 doors that had survived the war. The fact that I was able to find 17 of the 20 might seem to give cause for optimism that we have protected our heritage. However, another survey in 1945 by photographer of vanishing Norwich, George Plunkett, showed how much we lost, not just in the war, but in the slum clearances of the twentieth century. The city’s built heritage is a fragile thing and we must question the loss of everyday items that enrich the texture of our streets. Not everything should fall into the maw of progress.
One chapter, On Golden Ball Street, never appeared as a blog post but is based on my Tweet about the sculpture outside the Eastern Daily Press building.
My very first blog post was on angels’ ears. The angel cult of the Late Medieval period fascinates me and I returned to the topic on two further occasions with Angels’ Bonnets and Angels in Tights.
The book is 144 pages long and contains 30 richly-illustrated chapters. Priced £14.99 it can be bought from:
Jarrold Book Department, Norwich (Pressing this link takes you to the mail order page)
City Bookshop, Norwich (Pressing this link takes you to the mail order page)
Waterstones, Castle Street, Norwich
©Reggie Unthank 2021
Pamela Summers said:
Are you going to have a facility for your overseas fans to purchase a copy? [Pamela in Sydney, Australia]
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reggie unthank said:
Hi Pamela, Thinking that this book would only sell around Norwich I have not set up a facility to sell overseas. If you send me your address I could send you a copy and you could pay by BACS. Would that work?
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heather edwards said:
I’ve bought five copies now – every one much appreciated by the recipient! It’s a wonderful book – thank you, Reggie
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reggie unthank said:
Wow! Thank you for spreading the word, Heather.
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jane sunderland said:
how or where do I get hold of a copy of your book?
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reggie unthank said:
Hello Jane, The book can be mail ordered from either Jarrolds, Norwich or City Bookshop Norwich. At the foot of my last blog post announcing the book there are links to these two shops. Clicking on either takes you direct to the page from which the book may be ordered. Please contact me again if you encounter difficulties. Reggie
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Richard Beck said:
Excellent news! I look forward to getting my hands on a copy. (And not too early to stock up for a few Christmas presents!)
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reggie unthank said:
I hope you like it Richard.
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theo said:
Hi, just got my copy. Thoroughly interesting read and the pics amply illustrate the story. Thank you, theo
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reggie unthank said:
Just back from a book replenishing trip. So pleased you liked it Theo.
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Dr John Cockburn said:
So glad you’ve brought this out as a book Colonel! I shall buy it later today. Jon
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reggie unthank said:
Thank you Jon.
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Jan Wysocki said:
If you’re not intending to do this, may I post a link to this page, together with a brief note about the contents, to the Norwich sub-Reddit?
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reggie unthank said:
I’d be grateful for that. Thanks Jan.
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James Utting said:
Excellent, Reggie – I shall be hot-footing it to Jarrolds for a copy!
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reggie unthank said:
Thank you James
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huroncityradio said:
Ooo! How exciting!
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reggie unthank said:
Radio Unthank finally generates excitement. Thank you Huron City Radio.
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Mandells Gallery said:
Dear Reggie, Glad you are safe and sound after this horrible winter. The sun is shining and the weather is warm everything is growing – nature is treating us to it wonders. I shall go and get a copy of your book to complete the scene. Best wishes
John John Allen. Mandell’s Gallery
Sent from my iPhone
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reggie unthank said:
Hello John. I am delighted to hear the book mentioned in the same context as sunshine although, as an onlooking gardener, I look forward to the rain predicted for tomorrow. I also look forward to the next exhibition at Mandell’s Gallery. Reggie
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Julia de Salis said:
I’m really looking forward to having a copy of this book, and will be off to Jarrolds at the first opportunity.
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reggie unthank said:
Thank you Julia.
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norfolktalesmyths said:
Hello Reggie,
You would be aware that, as a long-standing reader and supporter of your Blogs, I have ‘Liked’ and shared most via my Facebook Group page Norfolk tales etc. which, incidentally, has regularly received ‘Likes’ and favourable comments. For those reasons, I have no hesitation in breaking the Group’s rule of not advertising by, again, sharing your latest announcement. It’s the least I can do. Good luck with many further sales. Haydn.
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reggie unthank said:
Hello Haydn, I am not a subscriber to Facebook and would appreciate your kind offer of spreading the word about the book. All best wishes, Reggie
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norfolktalesmyths said:
This I have done and so far there have been nothing but favourable comment – but some have also stated that they will be purchasing your book! I wish you every success. 👍
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reggie unthank said:
Thank you Jayne
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Don Watson said:
I’m away for a few days but your new book is top of my list to buy when I get back. I particularly intend to chase up the doorways – and see which ones are missing. My copy of ‘Norwich Inheritance’ is well worn – Andrew Stephenson was my headmaster a long time ago.
Don Watson
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reggie unthank said:
The ‘Norwich Inheritance’ book is a favourite and the chapter on doors is a wonderful way to see Norwich. Good luck with your door trail.
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Clare Pooley said:
Congratulations, Reggie! I have ordered the book from City Bookshop and look forward to its arrival.
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reggie unthank said:
Thank you Clare. I hope it lives up to expectations. Reggie
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Alex Johannsen said:
I made the three wise monkeys and someone directed me to your new book, thank you for including them.
Any chance you could sign a copy ?
All
The best, Alex Johannsen
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reggie unthank said:
Alex, I love your Three Wise Monkeys – my perfect example of witty public sculpture. I’d be pleased to sign a copy of the book. Reggie
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paulharley said:
An excellent read. I’m very glad you brought all that research together and published it, interesting diversions and all. Thank you.
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reggie unthank said:
Hi Paul, really pleased you liked the book. Thank you.
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