Norfolk and Norwich Branch Programme 2024 - 25

Branch Contact: norwichha@gmail.com 

Venue: Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, Castle Hill, Norwich, NR1 3JU
The September relaunch event will be free. Events/Tours/Walks subsequently will be charged at £5 per event or an annual regional membership fee of £15. These fees will apply from September 2024 – August 2025 and subject to annual review.

After a short hiatus we are delighted to announce that the Norfolk and Norwich Branch of The Historical Association is relaunching! We aim to bring you a programme of diverse, fun and interesting talks and tours and hope to see a lot of previous branch members once again taking part in our regional programme. Equally we, as a new committee, are excited to welcome new members of all ages.

Currently, we are a very small committee. Samantha, our Chairperson, is an Education Consultant and History Tutor. Sam also sits on the HA Branches & Members Committee. Jenni, our Secretary is an Education Officer at Norwich Castle and Simon our Treasurer is Head of History at Gresham’s. We would love to welcome more members to our regional committee to broaden our expertise and skills. More information will be given about this opportunity at our relaunch event in September or you can contact us via email at norwichha@gmail.com  for further details.

For our programme of autumn talks, we will kindly be hosted by Norwich Castle. As the venue will be open to the public during our talks you MUST register in advance for the events to access the talk. The September relaunch event will be free. Events/Tours/Walks subsequently will be charged at £5 per event or an annual regional membership fee of £15. These fees will apply from September 2024 – August 2025 and subject to annual review.

Sunday September 22nd 2024 14:00 – 16:30, Norwich Castle

Join us for an introductory meeting hosted by your new regional committee. We will cover all aspects of our aims and objectives for the branch and encourage you all to become part of a vibrant history community. Our talk for the inaugural event is incredibly exciting. As many of you are aware the Castle Keep has been undergoing extensive works and we are delighted to be joined by Hannah, a member of the renovation team for an exciting insight.

Norwich Castle: Royal Palace Reborn – A Story 900 Years in the Making

The transformation of Norwich Castle’s iconic Norman Keep is one of the largest heritage projects currently underway in the UK, generously supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It will see the rebuilding of the medieval floors and rooms so that visitors will be able to experience a Norman royal palace and its stories. The British Museum’s first medieval gallery outside of London will bring treasures of international importance to Norwich and for the first time everyone will be able to explore all 5 levels of the Keep – from basement to battlements. Join Project Manager Hannah Jackson to explore the fascinating history of this important building, take a virtual tour behind the hoardings to see the work underway and discover what will be available for visitors when the Castle Keep reopens

Tea & Coffee available to purchase.

Saturday November 9th 2024 14:30 – 16:00 – Norwich Castle
Africans in East Anglia, 1467-1833, by Dr Richard Maguire, Honorary Senior Lecturer, School of History, UEA

Richard's most recent work has looked at the history of people of African descent in East Anglia from the late medieval period to the twentieth century, considering their lives and experience in provincial England during the early modern and modern periods. He is especially interested in how, where, and when they arrived in the region; and how they were perceived by their contemporaries. His overall suggestion is that we should look at them as members of the working class and reflect on how their specific stories can be understood as an essential element of the story of that wider working-class community

Tea and Coffee available to purchase.

Sunday December 15th 2024 14:00 – 16:00 – Norwich Castle
Norfolk Secrets: Vulnerability, Spies and Traitors

Join us for an afternoon of festive cheer and stories of mystery and intrigue! Simon Kinder, Head of History at Gresham's School, will explore Norfolk’s interesting relationship with and vulnerability to invasion and will discuss some surprising Norfolk links to espionage and treachery. We will also be launching our 2025 programme!

Complimentary Tea, Coffee & Mince Pies available.