About

Welcome to Colonel Unthank’s Norwich. Norwich, which was once England’s second city, has a rich past and a good deal of its built environment survives. I am not a historian so rather than write about history head-on I prefer to take a sideways look at things I come across as I wander about town – preferably off the beaten path. Interests include: The Arts & Crafts Movement, The Aesthetic Movement and Thomas Jeckyll, architecture, ironwork, medieval churches (including stained glass and angels), brickwork, flint, The Aesthetic Movement, local architects George Skipper and Edward Boardman, the Norwich School Painters (especially John Sell Cotman), Art Nouveau etc. I hope that some of the randomness and playfulness of my excursions emerge in the posts.

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17 thoughts on “About”

  1. Terry Kendrick said:

    Very enjoyable blog. Many thanks. Terry

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  2. Barry Witcher said:

    Terry’s right. Do you give talks to local historical societies?

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    • Hi Barry,
      Re “Terry’s right”, do you mean Terry’s last comment about Rev Nixseaman’s idea that Unthank’s House was at the city end of Unthank Road? I could add more to this but wanted to check first that this is what you meant. Best wishes, Reggie

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  3. Thank-you so much for the follow! I have had a quick look at your wonderful blog and am following you back!

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  4. I have been flattered by your attention to my blog, and am impressed by the professional nature of your blog, especially on Sir James Edward Smith.

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  5. A lovely site and wonderful cornucopia of professionally written articles. I once lived opposite the Unthank Arms in Bury Street and have many memories of the area. I look forward to future items while delving further into your catalogue.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Selwyn Taylor said:

    City Doors, what a joy to see early twentieth century design in our fine city.
    Selwyn

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  7. Sir Peter Cook Architect said:

    Long fascinated by Fastloff House in Great Ysarmouth and incorporate it into various lectures covering much more internationally famous buildings. Hunch : was the Wellington Pier building also by W.S Cockrill….has some faintly Viennese touches ? Also, any evidence he was reading ‘studio’.

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    • I haven’t come across anything to indicate that Cockrill was involved in the Wellington Pier, with its Lutyens-like entrance. And zero evidence that he read the Studio except the carved leaves above the door are so close to The Studio’s emblem that either he or the tile-makers (Doulton?) must have cribbed it.

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  8. Roy C Bishop said:

    My son gave me your superb book as a 76th birthday present and I have so enjoyed your lovely ‘sideways’ approach to local history. It inspired me to look at your webpage and I have discovered even more delights there.
    Thank you for such interesting and entertaining enlightenment.

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    • Dear Roy, That is so kind. Writing the blogs and the books have given me such pleasure and I am delighted that you have enjoyed them too. Just contemplating a follow-up to ‘Sideways Look’. Reggie

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