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Derek James

Derek James

Eastern Daily Press

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Remembering Norfolk's Midweek Men - the football cup that made Thursday special

It was a letter in the Eastern Daily Press back in 1903 which inspired cup fever across the county for the midweek men.

01.01.2025 7

Eastern Daily Press

Derek James

Looking back at when Norwich was known as the City of Dreadful Night

Today the sparkling festive lights and decorations are shining in public places and on private houses across Norwich as we celebrate Christmas and...

29.12.2024 3

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

Looking back at fascinating stories from Norwich's history

This year, according to national crime statistics, Norwich ranked 22nd among the safest towns and cities in England…but there was a time when it...

25.12.2024 4

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

Take a journey back in time when you can almost hear the sea and smell the fish

It is the perfect blend of fact and fiction…and as you turn the pages of this book you will be taken on a journey back in time when you can...

22.12.2024 5

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

Take a journey back in time when you can almost hear the sea and smell the fish

It is the perfect blend of fact and fiction…and as you turn the pages of this book you will be taken on a journey back in time when you can...

22.12.2024 10

Eastern Daily Press

Derek James

Looking back at two extraordinary daredevil feats in years gone by

One climbed and the other dived…two lads, one from Great Yarmouth and the other from Norwich, who escaped with their lives after extraordinary...

18.12.2024 3

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

Looking back at two extraordinary daredevil feats in years gone by

One climbed and the other dived…two lads, one from Great Yarmouth and the other from Norwich, who escaped with their lives after extraordinary...

18.12.2024 2

Eastern Daily Press

Derek James

Memories of when the 'skiffle kids' took our region by storm

Noisy Vampires from Dereham, Gorleston, Lowestoft, Norwich and Snettisham, were on the prowl across Norfolk years ago…and how the people loved them.

15.12.2024 5

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

Memories of when the 'skiffle kids' took our region by storm

Noisy Vampires from Dereham, Gorleston, Lowestoft, Norwich and Snettisham, were on the prowl across Norfolk years ago…and how the people loved them.

15.12.2024 5

Eastern Daily Press

Derek James

Inside the beautiful villa whose guests included George Bernard Shaw

Join us on a visit to the beautiful Gorleston home of a wealthy and well-known couple whose guests included the playwright and critic George...

11.12.2024 2

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

Inside the beautiful villa whose guests included George Bernard Shaw

Join us on a visit to the beautiful Gorleston home of a wealthy and well-known couple whose guests included the playwright and critic George...

11.12.2024 3

Eastern Daily Press

Derek James

Anyone for tennis? 100 years of a much-loved local club

A century ago we were providing work for many unemployed First World War soldiers by building public parks and gardens in Norwich and across Norfolk.

08.12.2024 2

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

Anyone for tennis? 100 years of a much-loved local club

A century ago we were providing work for many unemployed First World War soldiers by building public parks and gardens in Norwich and across Norfolk.

08.12.2024 3

Eastern Daily Press

Derek James

40 years of performing amazing music at a world famous Norwich chapel

It was the end of an era when the much-loved singers and musicians gave their final performance in a world famous Norwich chapel.

03.12.2024 2

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

40 years of performing amazing music at a world famous Norwich chapel

It was the end of an era when the much-loved singers and musicians gave their final performance in a world famous Norwich chapel.

03.12.2024 2

Eastern Daily Press

Derek James

Help tell the story of Norwich's remarkable Bellman

Oyez, oyez, oyez (hear ye)…the Town Crier of Chester wants your help as he tells the story of former Norwich Bellman Harry Moulton for a second...

30.11.2024 2

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

Help tell the story of Norwich's remarkable Bellman

Oyez, oyez, oyez (hear ye)…the Town Crier of Chester wants your help as he tells the story of former Norwich Bellman Harry Moulton for a second...

30.11.2024 3

Eastern Daily Press

Derek James

Fascinating look at the villages and characters from days gone by

As time moves on they are books which become more important…looking at life in Norfolk villages during  days gone by.

26.11.2024 2

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

Fascinating look at the villages and characters from days gone by

As time moves on they are books which become more important…looking at life in Norfolk villages during  days gone by.

26.11.2024 3

Eastern Daily Press

Derek James

How the generosity of Geoffrey Watling is living on and on

Born in 1871 he began his working life as stable boy in Norwich before taking over the company and going on to be a leading businessman, Sheriff...

23.11.2024 3

Eastern Daily Press

Derek James

How the generosity of Geoffrey Watling is living on and on

Born in 1871 he began his working life as stable boy in Norwich before taking over the company and going on to be a leading businessman, Sheriff...

23.11.2024 4

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

Recalling the tragedy of the Lady Jane plane crash in Norwich

It was 80 years ago when people in Norwich watched in horror as an American Liberator named Lady Jane hit the top of a church and then crashed into...

19.11.2024 3

Eastern Daily Press

Derek James

10 million reasons to remember a truly remarkable man

It is 20 years since he died and now more than £10m of his money has been handed out to help many others across the region …his name was...

16.11.2024 1

Eastern Daily Press

Derek James

10 million reasons to remember a truly remarkable man

It is 20 years since he died and now more than £10m of his money has been handed out to help many others across the region …his name was...

16.11.2024 2

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

Train driver's fascinating and funny journeys around the region

This is a book about trains and the railways with a difference…one which is told with honesty and humour and we get to meet some great Norfolk...

12.11.2024 1

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

Happy-go-lucky chap who went to hell and back in wartime trenches

So many soldiers return from bloody battlefields across the world and rarely speak about what happened to them and their comrades.

09.11.2024 4

Eastern Daily Press

Derek James

Family meant everything to Albert - and he meant everything to them

ON DEATH

05.11.2024 6

Eastern Daily Press

Derek James

Emotional exhibition honours village's wartime community spirit

It will be an emotional and moving exhibition honouring and remembering soldiers who lost their lives during the First World War and one which...

02.11.2024 5

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

Beloved Norwich blues and jazz musician dies aged 91

Our very own King of the Blues, one of the best-loved and most popular musicians in Norwich, Norfolk and further afield  has died this week at the...

31.10.2024 3

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

Ethel was the original girl power pioneer - 100 years ago

For many years Chris Wright would pass Alderman Leach School in Great Yarmouth (now East Norfolk College) most working days and wonder just who he...

29.10.2024 3

Eastern Daily Press

Derek James

The ruined stately home won in a card game now restored to glory

Bylaugh Hall, near Dereham, stood for 50 years as an imposing collapsing roofless ruin, overgrown, unloved and forgotten by all except those who...

26.10.2024 2

Eastern Daily Press

Derek James

The ruined stately home won in a card game now restored to glory

Bylaugh Hall, near Dereham, stood for 50 years as an imposing collapsing roofless ruin, overgrown, unloved and forgotten by all except those who...

26.10.2024 1

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

Were you a Midweek Man? Reunion of Thursday Cup footballers

What did you used to get up to on a Thursday afternoon? If you played football in a cup game then you are wanted back on the pitch.

26.10.2024 2

Eastern Daily Press

Derek James

Were you a Midweek Man? Reunion of Thursday Cup footballers

What did you used to get up to on a Thursday afternoon? If you played football in a cup game then you are wanted back on the pitch.

26.10.2024 20

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

The smell, the excitement and the Stars - your speedway memories

So many memories of the racing, the excitement, the friendships, the smiling faces…and the smell. The Stars were a part of so many lives.

22.10.2024 4

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

A fascinating journey to a beautiful and ancient village

As time moves on the books written about our communities in days gone by are more important than ever…and this is a journey to beautiful and...

19.10.2024 4

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

Extraordinary journey to the lost villages of Norfolk

This is an extraordinary journey around the lost communities of Norfolk which you can enjoy from your armchair and then…take a look at some for...

12.10.2024 10

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

Howzat for great memories of world famous former cricket ground

As the cricket season comes to an end let’s remember the former world famous home of the game in Norfolk through the wonderful words of the much...

14.09.2024 3

Eastern Daily Press

Derek James

Looking back at the railway stations and lines which criss-crossed our county

When travelling around Norfolk do you ever think to yourself…”there used to be a train station there” or  “I’m sure that’s where the...

03.09.2024 10

Norwich Evening News

Derek James

Farewell to a great Norfolk showman and true gentleman

He was described as a gentle giant with a thunderous voice…and one of the best-loved and popular entertainers for decades across Norfolk.

13.07.2024 10

Norwich Evening News

Derek James