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Anniversary Highlights

1958 , Norwich (Norfolk)

Cat no. 301

This film records some of the events of the anniversary week, mixed with Norwich Union history.

At the Headquarters of BBC East, Sir Robert Bignold is being interviewed. There are many shots of Norwich, including the Market and the Norwich Union Offices, where a group photograph is taken on the lawn. At Thorpe Station the guests arrive from Norwich Union offices all over Britain and overseas. They are taken to their hotels. There is the presentation of an antique silver bowl at the City Hall to Sir Robert Bignold and then there is the official Lord Mayor's Reception at the Castle. There are shots from a moving car, preceding along Red Lion Street and Orford Place towards the Castle. The guests arrive and are named for the camera. There are interior shots of the reception. The next morning, coaches take the 'wives' who have joined the party to Sandringham House. There are views of the house, church and grounds before the ladies take luncheon at the Manor Hotel, Ingoldisthorpe. A long sequence shows the meeting in the 'Life Office Boardroom'. Presentations are made to Sir Robert and Lady Bignold, then there is another group photograph. In the evening of Tuesday, June 17th, there were a series of cocktail parties at the homes of Norwich Union senior employees. They include The Homestead, Unthank Road, the home of Mr. Robarts; Branksome Lodge, Branksome Road, the home of Mr. Misselbrook; Newlands, home of Mr. Rolfe and Winton, Lower Hellesdon, the home of Mr. Harris. At the Samson and Hercules Ballroom in Norwich, the guests dance to the music of Brian Green and his band. The next morning, the ladies visit Norwich Cathedral. There are interior scenes of the Cathedral and of the cloisters. The men attend a ceremonial stone laying where Sir Robert Bignold unveils plans for the 'Island Site'. Models of this reveal how it would look. On Thursday, the ladies visit the offices of the Life Society and of the Fire Society and see inside the boardrooms. They also meet the publicity director, A.P. Cooper, who offers a potted history of the company and shows them the treasures of the Norwich Union. In the evening they meet for a formal dinner in St. Andrew's Hall. The guests are welcomed by Sir Robert and Lady Bignold in Blackfriars Hall. The formal dinner begins and the guests are entertained by the Max Jaffa Trio and by Jean Draystone. The following day the guests depart from Thorpe Station.

Featured Buildings

All Norwich unless stated otherwise: The Manor Hotel, Ingoldisthorpe; Head Office of the Norwich Union Life Society; Head Office of the Norwich Union Fire Society; St. Andrew's Hall Blackfriars Hall ; The Samson and Hercules Ballroom ; The Homestead, Unthank Road; Branksome Lodge, Branksome Road ; Winton, Lower Hellesdon ; Sandringham House, Norfolk; Thorpe Station The Maids Head Hotel; BBC East Studios The Royal Hotel; The City Hall The Castle Hotel; Norwich Castle The Bell Hotel; Norwich Cathedral Newlands

Featured Events

The 150th Anniversary of the Norwich Union Life Society

Keywords

Norwich Union; Party; Formal Event; Ceremonial

Other Places

Sandringham

  • Producer : A. P Cooper

  • Sponsor : Publicity Department Norwich Union Insurance Societies

  • Camera : A. P Cooper

Manifestations

Anniversary Highlights

Copyright restrictions apply.

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