The Norwich Society

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The Norwich Society Centenary Year

The Centenary Year was officially launched on 23rd March 2023 on Bishops Bridge where it all began. See HERE for the Eastern Evening News coverage of the event.


The official centenary year launch started on Bishop Bridge, mid-day on Thursday 23rd March 2023. The Trustees were joined by the Mayor of Norwich, The Sheriff of Norwich, Sir Richard Jewson and the Whifflers, together with members and representatives of organisations who have worked closed with the Society over the years.

In 1923 a group of architects and archaeologists met to discuss their concerns that the City authorities proposed to replace the medieval Bishop Bridge with a wider one to accommodate increased traffic and to replace the river piers with one span to improve the river flow and guard against flooding. Having successfully protected the bridge by having it listed by the national Ministry of Works they also instigated preservation orders on other historic Norwich structures including the Cathedral and buildings in its Close, the Castle, the Guildhall and many more.

Out of this concern to preserve the best of the past The Norwich Society was formed. It aimed to ensure that during the admirable post-war drive for slum clearance, road widening, and other improvements to the city, historically and architecturally significant structures were not swept away.

One hundred years on The Norwich Society celebrated a century of civic achievement whilst continuing to look to the future and the role of The Norwich Society in helping ensure Norwich remains a well-loved and vibrant City.

If you'd like to find out more about Bishop Bridge READ HERE

NORWICH 100     Caring for the past & the future

HOW THE NORWICH SOCIETY HAS SUPPORTED NORWICH FOR 100 YEARS

The Norwich Society's centenary exhibition held in The Forum during the Heritage Open Days week 8th-17th September 2023 was been a tremendous success.  See below for link to a slideshow of the exhibition. 

This photographic exhibition showcases 100 places in Norwich – one for very year of our existence – that we feel represent our activities and campaigning over the decades.

We had hoped to raise the profile of the Society and increase public awareness of what it has achieved over the last 100 years.

Over 32,000 people passed through The Forum's doors during HODs week, and we received huge amounts of positive feedback from those who took the time to enjoy the exhibition.

We sold over 180 copies of the exhibition catalogue and would like to extend a warm welcome to our many new members.

The Norwich 100 Exhibition Catalogue containing all 100 photographs and captions can be purchased from The City Bookshop for £12.50.

VIEW A SLIDESHOW OF THE NORWICH 100 EXHIBITION