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Friends of Kett's Heights
News and Activities
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Heritage Open Day - talk on Sunday September 20th 2026
Our Heritage Open Day talk this year is Gasworks workers and gardeners: stories of everyday working lives at Kett’s Heights. Do you, your family or friends have memories or pictures to share with us about working in the Norwich gasworks and/or Kett’s Heights (the allotments, the greenhouse, the piggeries, for example)? We’d love to hear from you! If you can help please email to :- [email protected] |
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Sunday June 7th 2026
We held the third free tour of the current season. Luckily it was a lovely warm afternoon after the awful weather on Saturday and we had a very good attendance. Thanks to all those who came and enjoyed the tour. The next free tour is on July 5th. You can register HERE
We held the third free tour of the current season. Luckily it was a lovely warm afternoon after the awful weather on Saturday and we had a very good attendance. Thanks to all those who came and enjoyed the tour. The next free tour is on July 5th. You can register HERE
Saturday May 30th 2026
A few photos from May's successful Plant Sale in lovely weather.
A few photos from May's successful Plant Sale in lovely weather.
Annual General Meeting (9th May 2026) Committee members elected
Saturday May 9th - Friends of Kett's Heights AGM
A big 'Thank You' to everyone who attended our annual AGM at St Matthew's Church on Saturday May 9th. We hope that you all enjoyed learning more about the work The Friends do on Kett's Heights and, if you are not already a member, will be inspired to join us.
This year, for the first time, we held a photo competition. This was open to all and we received many entries and some amazing photographs.. The winning entries are below and you can see 24 other photos on our Gallery Page. The subject was Spring.
Click on photos below to enlarge.
This year, for the first time, we held a photo competition. This was open to all and we received many entries and some amazing photographs.. The winning entries are below and you can see 24 other photos on our Gallery Page. The subject was Spring.
Click on photos below to enlarge.
1st Prize - Shadows
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Joint 2nd Prize - Bluebells - Lion Wood
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Joint 2nd Prize - Coming into land on Whitlingham Broad |
The Friends of Kett’s Heights will be celebrating Heritage Open Days this year with a talk in St Matthew’s Church followed by an optional visit to Kett’s Heights.
Gasworks workers and gardeners:
stories of everyday working lives at Kett’s Heights
For over 100 years until the 1960s Norwich people were employed in the gasworks below Kett’s Heights. In this talk we’ll share the memories of the gas workers: the heat and stench of the gas works, and gardening in the peaceful space of Kett’s Heights.
When the Norwich Gas Company acquired the Bishopbridge gasworks site in 1839 they also acquired the steep slopes of Kett’s Heights, which were unsuitable for industrial development. Instead, the area was landscaped to provide pleasure and kitchen gardens for the gas workers. In the 20th century these same gardens helped us “dig for victory” and pigs were kept.
Our talk will tell the stories of local people in their own words and pictures: everyday life at the gasworks (a modern Health and Safety nightmare); and taking a break in the fresh air of Kett’s Heights, perhaps tending to the pineapples in the huge glasshouse or feeding the pigs.
Time: 14.30 on Sunday 20th September
Venue: St Matthew’s Church, Telegraph Lane West, Norwich NR1 4JA
Please register here…. https://www.kettsheights.co.uk/hods-kh-talk.html
(You do not need to register but it would help us if we have some ideas of numbers)
Gasworks workers and gardeners:
stories of everyday working lives at Kett’s Heights
For over 100 years until the 1960s Norwich people were employed in the gasworks below Kett’s Heights. In this talk we’ll share the memories of the gas workers: the heat and stench of the gas works, and gardening in the peaceful space of Kett’s Heights.
When the Norwich Gas Company acquired the Bishopbridge gasworks site in 1839 they also acquired the steep slopes of Kett’s Heights, which were unsuitable for industrial development. Instead, the area was landscaped to provide pleasure and kitchen gardens for the gas workers. In the 20th century these same gardens helped us “dig for victory” and pigs were kept.
Our talk will tell the stories of local people in their own words and pictures: everyday life at the gasworks (a modern Health and Safety nightmare); and taking a break in the fresh air of Kett’s Heights, perhaps tending to the pineapples in the huge glasshouse or feeding the pigs.
Time: 14.30 on Sunday 20th September
Venue: St Matthew’s Church, Telegraph Lane West, Norwich NR1 4JA
Please register here…. https://www.kettsheights.co.uk/hods-kh-talk.html
(You do not need to register but it would help us if we have some ideas of numbers)
February 2026
Free Tours of Kett's Heights Once again this year we shall be offering free guided tours of The Heights on the first Sunday of each month from April until October (September excluded) . These are small, friendly tours which focus on the history of the site. Wheelchair users, children and dogs on leads welcome. The tour lasts about 40 -50 minutes. The first free tour of 2026 will be on Sunday 5th April . Click HERE for more details and to register your place on a tour.
Free Tours of Kett's Heights Once again this year we shall be offering free guided tours of The Heights on the first Sunday of each month from April until October (September excluded) . These are small, friendly tours which focus on the history of the site. Wheelchair users, children and dogs on leads welcome. The tour lasts about 40 -50 minutes. The first free tour of 2026 will be on Sunday 5th April . Click HERE for more details and to register your place on a tour.
November 2025
On Saturday November 1st the Blue Plaque commemorating Robert Kett was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Norwich. The event was blessed with beautiful, sunny weather following overnight rain and was very well attended. After the unveiling most of attendees retired to St. Matthews Church where tea, coffee, biscuits and cakes were available. Thank you.
You can see more photos on our gallery page.
You can see more photos on our gallery page.
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September/October 2025
July 2025
Despite the rather poor weather there was a very good attendance for The Common Lot's performance of Mousehold to the Marsh yesterday (Sunday 6th July). Luckily the rain held off apart from the occasional few spots! The short video below shows the finale to an excellent show.
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Cub Scout Visit - June 2025
Some photos from the visit of the Little and Great Plumstead cub scouts. Paddy conducted the tour and later they had fun doing a quiz. It was really lovely evening and the children were delightful.
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PLANT SALE - Saturday 31st May 2025
Our plant sale held on May 31st was very well attended and a lot of healthy looking plants were sold. It was a lovely day for the event and a few people looked very Summery!
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Lion Wood - Thorpe Hamlet
If you love Kett's Heights then here's another group you might like to follow. Lion Wood Conservation Group
Lion Wood is a beautiful, large wooded area not far from Kett's Heights and open to all.
The Lion Wood Conservation Group is a community conservation group set up to help look after Lion Wood in Thorpe Hamlet. They are passionate about ensuring this beautiful woodland continues to provide a haven for wildlife and a tranquil green space for all to enjoy.. To find out more and to join The Group click on the above link.
Lion Wood is a beautiful, large wooded area not far from Kett's Heights and open to all.
The Lion Wood Conservation Group is a community conservation group set up to help look after Lion Wood in Thorpe Hamlet. They are passionate about ensuring this beautiful woodland continues to provide a haven for wildlife and a tranquil green space for all to enjoy.. To find out more and to join The Group click on the above link.
Official opening of the new Ladbrooke Place entrance
December 10th 2024 Lord Mayor Cllr Vivien Thomas officially opening the new entrance to Kett's Heights from Ladbrooke Place
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Above - Lord Mayor Cllr Vivien Thomas, Cllr Mike Stonard, Leader of Norwich City Council, and Matt Davies, Manager of the Norwich Fringe Project, enjoying the viewpoint of Norwich. |
DECEMBER 2024 - Our smart, new storage shed at the back of the piggeries
OCTOBER 2024 - Our next project is to smarten up The Piggeries whilst keeping their historical interest. Thanks to Cavan (the new Banksy ?) for his artwork!
OCTOBER 2024 - We now have a flag pole and a brand new notice board installed at the Ladbrooke Place entrance. Flag to follow shortly! Our thanks again to the Norwich Fringe Project.
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SEPTEMBER 2024 Now that the new entrance from Ladbrooke Place is open allowing wheelchair access to the viewpoint, Norwich Fringe Project have kindly installed some very nice new signposts to lead the way!
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To see ALL our news & events articles 2020 - 2024 please visit our ARCHIVE page
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