Rosary Road Chalk Mine - Norwich

[Atrebates]

Hello Everyone

This is my first post here

I actually did this in january and have posted on another site. But thought i'd post it here in a more organised manner.

"In the early 19th century the lime-kilns and chalk workings around this area were fully exploited but by the end of the century housing and industrial development had made access to the pits and tunnels difficult and they eventually were abandoned. However, they continued to be used as places for storage. Thompson & Sons, for instance, used the caves and tunnels (Rosary road) when they occupied the Chalk Hill Works site as a natural storehouse for iron, zinc and tin, erecting two stout doors at the entrances to the main tunnels. In the 19th century Coleman's Brewery Company occupied the site and used the tunnels for extensive storage."

"Gordon Dickie remembers...
The grandstand was still at The Nest and troops used it for training, climbing ropes to get into the windows etc – we used to watch them. At some point, maybe at the end of the war, the old football ground was used to store coal or coke. I think there were also some shelters built there during the war. We used to use the chalk caves at the back of Thompson’s for a shelter, and we had a bunk there in which we could sleep. We used to go along our back ways and the back ways of houses in Rosary Road, past the bowling green and to the shelter. Of course, I thought it a great adventure, being quite young.
On Rosary Road was Thompson’s Tin and Metal Works. Lots of local people worked there. Further along, City’s football ground, The Nest. PC Scott was the local policeman. Nearby, in the background, was a disused deep cave, which was used in the war for an air raid shelter. Bunks were put up for regular nightly use."

And "The workings off Rosary Road (behind Lollards Pit) were explored by the Reverend J.W.Hayes in the 19th century. These extended 133ft (40.53m) into the cliff beneath St. Leonards Hill and Hayes estimated that 20,000 cubic yards of material had been removed from them. Walter rye published a photograph of them in 1904 (Rye 1904, 195) which showed the 19th century trolley rails still in place."

I couldn't find the photo but did find this map:



And this;




















Thanks for looking.



Peace

[Nicola]

Cracking first report - introduce yourself in the "Say Hello" thread and we will upgrade you to a full member - you will then be able to access the whole site, comment on other peoples reports, post your new explores in the relevant sections and chat to other explorers in the chat box!

[BA]

Nice first report
Look forward to seeing more of your stuff

[TCCI]

Very impressive well done

[BB]

Oh very nice! Great first report

[MJS]

Wicked first report

[KingElvis]

Great report to make an entry with, excellent.

[DJ OSKA]

Unfortunately, the Rosary Road mines are inaccessible now- the developers have very recently started work in front of the entrance, I believe...
Rumour has it they are now used for storing chemicals...

Atrebates? You from Norfolk? There's a strong Norfolk community on here!

[Atrebates]

I am from Norfolk

[DJ OSKA]

goodo :-D

So is I, Shadow_ops, Simonix, SaltGeorge, Manof2worlds, Black Shuck... welcome :-D