Sunday 8 July 2012

The Secret 12's Trail


The Secret 12's time traveller's trail is almost ready to launch, watch this space. 

Friday 6 July 2012

Heart Warming Thank You Letters from Local School Children

This week we were touched and overwhelmed by a set of beautifully illustrated thank you letters from children at Notre Dame Prep School. They were thanking us for our Open Skies landscape painting workshop based on the Norwich School of Artists and our Stories from Long, Long Ago, Tudor stories, games and riddle workshop.



We were flattered by compliments like
'it was the best day I have had since 2009'
'Before you came I didn't know about perspective, I had a wonderful time'
'I liked your workshop the best because I have never been taught to paint like artists did'

Thanks to all the children who wrote to us, we hope we can come and see you again soon.

To find out about our school workshops visit our website. Our 2012-12 School Brochure will be falling in to your in boxes next week. To request a copy email hello@livingnorwich.co.uk.




Ancient Art in Modern Times, David Holgate



At the second ever Secret Norwich: Heritage After Dark event David Holgate engaged guests in fascinating stories, bringing his St Margret and St Benedict to life at St Giles Church. He was accompanied by local historian Carole Hill and together their dialogue undulated from past to present, from the medieval lives of the saints to modern sculpting practice, a practice which so echoes and illuminates the masons of the past.



In one of the best porches in the city, with a fabulous vaulted ceiling, we learnt about David's artistic decisions, about the cult of St Margret and about David's time spent in a monastery in Italy in order to depict an accurate and human St Benedict.



At Micawber's Tavern afterwards we were treated to exclusive viewings of his preliminary drawings and models as well as a guided tour of his tool box over a glass of wine and some Norfolk nibbles.

Come and join us next time at St Peter Hungate on 8th August as we explore the angels adorning the now deconsecrated church and lament the fate of so many others to the hands of the iconoclasts, with UEA lecturer and art historian Dr Margit Thofner.
To book go to our booking pages, or call 01603 446 507.


Monday 2 July 2012

An Ancient Art in Modern Times

Come and celebrate the second in the series of Secret Norwich: Heritage After Dark...


-An Ancient Art in Modern Times, David Holgate introduces you to his latest works in the porch of St Giles church, view his drawings and models and find out just how he makes such amazing pieces. St Giles Church, Upper St Giles (and afterwards for a glass of wine and a chance to see his drawings at Micawber’s Tavern, Pottergate), Wed 4th July, 7-9pm.

Book in advance to guarantee a place

The Secret 12 have been busy...

12 children form Lakenham School have been exploring, working together and producing a trail to take you on a magical time-travelling journey around city history. Find out what they've been up to and watch out for the trail in the Forum and Norwich 12 buildings from 20th July!


Schools Discover Norwich

We've now finished our pilot of the LivingNorwich school programme, and what an exciting time it's been...

We explored Jurnets undercroft with the Free School and wrote stories inspired by the underground rooms and secret passages of the city, we were history detectives with Heather Avenue Juniors in the wonderful Blackfriars Hall and examined the civic portraits on the walls, we painted our very own self portraits placing ourselves in the line up of the great and good of the city, we heard about a little boy who fell down the necessary in the Haymarket at Sprowston Junior and made some great storyboards, we donned our smocks and stood in the shoes of the great Norwich School of Artists at Notre Dame Prep School who created some amazing landcapes and then celebrated Norwich Tudors with stories, games and riddles.

Norwich is brimming with possibilities to help our local kids get inspired and take ownership of their city.

If you would like to take part in our 2012-13 schools programme, get in touchhttp://livingnorwich.co.uk/schools/



Tombland tour

Augustine Steward House, Tombland. Steward was 3 times mayor of the city, he persuaded Henry VIII that the city could buy St Andrews and Blackfriars (then a friary), saving the buildings from the heavy hand of the dissolution and he was instrumental in quelling the Ketts rebellion. An interesting fella.


Went to Nick Groves' tour of Tombland last Wednesday 27th June, 2 hours in that tiny area, packed with history was surprisingly barely enough. A great evening.