Here we have one of the many useful Volumes of Kelly’s Directory, the directory for Norfolk. This one is for the year of 1929. These trade directories such as Kelly’s are a valuable insight into the evolution of places, streets and the trades and persons whom live on them. For example, in 1929 at 15 Cathedral Street, Norwich, Norfolk (now the office of PPS) a Mr Thomas Douglas occupied the building – which as time allows we will explore more on what information survives about the former occupant of the PPS offices.
Kelly’s Directories is also interesting for the social history through the advertisements which are throughout the directory itself. One advertisement which stands out are Bussey & Sabberton Bros. Ltd – Authorised Ford Dealers, who are still trading as Busseys and are still the main Ford Dealers in Norfolk, with their main offices still in Norwich, although at a slightly different address to what the 1929 advertisement would indicate.
On the back cover is an advert for Norwich Union Fire insurance Society Limited which inside advertises details of some of the many insurance products they offer covering Fire, Accident and Marine including the important steam boiler machinery, with a logo of Norwich Cathedral. Norwich Union Fire Insurance, is still in existence today as Aviva, a well-known financial product company including insurance, and still insuring Marine industry, though with maybe less clients interested in steam boiler machinery cover. The logo of Norwich Cathedral still stands proud in the Aviva branding, although more stylised then in 1929.
Blog by Karl Hanson, Senior Archaeologist at Parker Planning Services
Our Archaeology Services: Archaeology Consultancy & Project Management (parkerplanningservices.co.uk)
