For those who ask what is happening to Anglia Square: an update from today’s newspaper plus this excellent half-hour YouTube video from Chris Richmond. Chris produced the film of the visit to Sovereign House in 2012, and this is the final reflection.
Maureen Wickham adds: Hi Reg, how sad to see Anglia Square now. Those of us being ‘dispersed’ to Norwich in 1968 were so excited at the prospect of moving from London into a brand new office in lovely Norfolk, on arrival we heard from those who had arrived in the Advance Party a few months earlier, that the roof leaked and the staff had to put waste bins on window sills to catch the water! However, everyone was thrilled to arrive in Norwich at last. Who would have thought that, what seems to us like a few short years later, we would see Anglia Square and Sovereign House being demolished, although by then it was being called an eyesore but many of us who were here in 1968 have very fond memories of it,
Kind regards to you and to any oldies who may see this,
Maureen
Hello Maureen, Good to hear from you, and thank you for your thoughtful words. Memories of Simpler Times! Best wishes, Reg.
Bill Greenaway adds: Good morning Reg, An erudite, evocative description of the old HMSO and surroundings from yourself. It certainly brought back a lot of good memories for me. It has been nearly 50 years since I left Sovereign House and I can’t remember a bad time there. Looking back, moving to Norwich from London was the catalyst for everything that my family and I have done since. It set all the wheels in motion and has left a lasting impression, not least because my daughter Keri was born there. The podcast was just a pleasure to watch and I certainly admired your normal sartorial elegance. Family illness prevents me from going anywhere much these days but if we are able to get away in the not too distant future we shall definitely head to Norwich. It would be lovely to meet up for a pint one day.
All the very best Reg. Pass on my best wishes to anyone you meet who might remember me.
Cheers, Bill
Hello Bill, Thank you for your thoughtful note. I quite agree with your comments as regards our Sovereign House days. In fact you were mentioned during a recent reminisce with John Eason, and also when Dickie Dunn telephoned a few weeks ago. Illnesses and misadventures are rife at our time of life, but it will be a pleasure to see you in Norwich as and when you can make it. No shortage of memory outpourings on that day I can guarantee!
Best wishes, Bill, and I will certainly pass on the good word.
Reg