Maids Head Memories Monday, Jun 30 2008 

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Rowena Glaysher Deputy Head Receptionist (1979–1984), Connie Burridge Head Housekeeper (1974–1985), Jane Foster Deputy Head Housekeeper (1974–1984), Barbara Smith Head Receptionist (1978–1984), Alison Minns Receptionist (1980–1983), Anne Wooden Receptionist (1977–1984) and Sue Syder Receptionist (1976–1984).

 

We became a RAC four star hotel when we worked on reception. It was the whole hotel team that got us there.

Mr Cooke was the manager during our time. He used to do regular room inspections checking for dust.

For some reason there was bread shortage in the late 70s and Mr Cooke bundled the housekeeping team into his Rolls Royce and took us to a supermarket with instructions to each buy six loaves.

Manchester City football Club stayed here on the night that Hovells burned down.

There were lots of famous guests including Sacha Distel (‘My hands were shaking when I took him a cup of tea!”), Sir John Mills, John Thaw, Roald Dahl and Lord Denning. Anyone involved in an Anglia TV production stayed with us including actors appearing in ‘Tales of the Unexpected’. We also looked after the contestants in ‘Sale of the Century’.

David Niven stayed in 1975 and gave Jane Foster his autograph: “For Jane, Many thanks and good luck! David Niven September 1975.”

Roy Hudd spotted Jane Foster when she was pregnant: “You look like a deckchair darling!”

She was also lucky enough to have a whisky with comedian Dave Allen in his bedroom.

Eamonn Andrews stayed here whilst preparing for a ‘This is Your Life’ programme on Robert carrier. He used the fire escape to leave the hotel to make sure nobody spotted him

Mr Cooke didn’t want pop groups to stay, just in case they wrecked the hotel. Iron Maiden tried to book in but were turned down, but for some reason the Boom Town Rats slipped through the net. Some groups managed to slip through because they booked through booking agents.

John Rosenberg, producer of ‘Tales of the Unexpected’ always left a £1 tip. On one occasion he also left a pair of tights behind in his bedroom. He was politely told that he had left the item behind and was delighted to get them back as he wore the tights to keep out the cold during filming.

Roy Marsden and cast used to stay when filming the PD James stories.

The part of the hotel used as the restaurant used to be The Courtyard Bar. It was the ‘in place’ to be seen and drink in the late 70s and early 80s and used to get packed at the weekend. There was a real log fire in the centre of the room, which was lovely in winter.

There were no hospitality trays in bedrooms so chambermaids had to deliver early morning cups of tea and coffee. There was always an evening chambermaid who turned down the beds. The night porter used to clean any shoes left outside bedrooms.

We used to confirm bookings using the telex machine – no email in those days! There was a manual switchboard. We always had to dial the number for the guest – there was no direct dial.

The hotel took part in the Lord Mayor’s Procession and the Norwich raft races

 

We think that there was a ghost on the first floor – the corridor was always cold!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Armstrong Chef de Partie 1972 Thursday, Jun 26 2008 

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I joined the kitchen brigade at The Maids Head in the spring of 1972, moving from the Oaklands Hotel. My post was Patisserie Chef de Partie, working under the then head Chef Wilfred Duthallier. The second chef was Ian ‘Tiny’ Sinclair.

I remember Peter Wright. He was affectionately known as Peter the Painter and would often pop into the kitchen to sample our cooking.

The biggest stars to stay at The Maid’s Head were the Monty Python crew. I think it was May 1972 when they filmed in Norwich. They had been filming in Elm Hill and as they were to do more work after dark, they trooped into the restaurant in full drag, all made up, and sat at a table set for 12 in the centre of the restaurant. This created great hilarity among their fellow diners, although the MP team duly remained deadpan throughout. Unfortunately none of us got to meet any of the stars, but I remember them sending a round of drinks through to us thirsty chefs.

Another large claim to fame is the tale of Peter ‘PJ’ Smith who was 3rd Chef. In summer 1971, the ‘Go Between’ was being filmed in Norwich and North Norfolk. One day a rep from the film crew called in. He was searching for a traditional looking chef to appear in a cameo role in the film. Peter Smith was deemed perfect. He was a rotund individual with ginger hair and a full Henry VIII beard. He duly made his appearance before the camera carving a joint of beef in a restaurant – The Maids Head courtyard bar – and appears in the film just after the star’s visit a Horse Fair on Tombland.

I was a sprightly 21 year-old at the time when I worked at the hotel and got engaged to my future wife Dawn while there. The manager at the time was Mr Alan Pike. His wife would often come to the kitchen at around 6pm to get scraps for her dog.

 

 

 

Love and The Maids Head Snug 1902 Monday, Jun 9 2008 

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John Garrett from Sprowston, sister Jacqueline Dickerson, who lives in Eaton and brother Jeffrey from Hellesdon, can thank The Maids Head Hotel snug bar for their existence.Their Grandmother, Edith Beart (1879-1972) worked as a barmaid in the snug in 1902. It was there that she met their Grandfather, David Maggs. Mr Maggs ran a successful saddlery business in Golden Ball Street, Norwich. A photograph shows his tack on display on the area now occupied by Archant’s headquarters, Prospect House, home of the Evening News.

Edith was the daughter of William and Hannah Beart. William was a gamekeeper, and worked at Cockley Cley Hall and also spent some time on an estate at Ashcombe in Devon.

They married in 1904, and had four daughters, Margaret, Dorothy, Queenie and Winifred. Queenie, who died in 2002, was cashier at the Noverre Cinema for 30 years and also worked at the Hippodrome. Winifred was the mother of John, Jacqueline and Jeffrey.

David Maggs had a drink problem and sadly the business seems to have folded soon after World War I. After 29 years of marriage to Edith, David ended up in the workhouse (now Norwich Community Hospital), dying in 1933.

Edith moved with her four daughters to an attic in Thorpe, which was so small that the two youngest children had to sleep on the landing. She scraped a living scrubbing floors in Wroxham for 6p a day and also cared for an elderly lady. Edith was a regular churchgoer and attended St George’s Tombland.

“Grandmother always stuck up for men, which is rather surprising considering her experience with our Grandfather,” said Jacqueline Dickerson. “Everybody loved her, she was a real old fashioned Grandmother.”

One of Jacqueline’s most treasured possessions is Edith’s copy of the 1900 history of The Maids Head Hotel. She noted her hours on the back page – Monday 11am to 5.30pm and Tuesday 3pm to 8.30pm. Wednesday was half day off, Thursday’s shift began at 3pm and she worked 11am to 4.30pm on Friday and Saturday. The hotel’s telephone number at the time was 85 Norwich. Residents could garage their cars for 1shilling (5p) a night, but bicycle storage was free. The rates for room for the night began at 3 shillings (15p).

The book introduces The Maids Head as…”the only purely Family Hotel and only Hotel with its own Livery Yard attached in Norwich. It is the most unique house in England, being at least 600 years old, and combines all the charm of an old-world hostelry with every up-to-date modern luxury.”

Reviews from newspapers and magazines are included. “Certainly the Norwich hotels are decidedly well conducted, and the chief of them, the ‘Maids Head’ may vie in interest with any hostelry in the country.” The Gentleman’s Journal August 15, 1896.

The booklet also features an illustration from The Graphic showing the 43rd and 44th Companies of the Imperial Yeomanry recruiting for the Boer War, in what is now the Maids Head’s restaurant, in January 1900.

John Garrett added; “You could say that if it was not for The Maids Head, that my family would not be here today. My wife, Lesley and I were at a family wedding at the hotel in December, and had a drink in the snug. We sensed our Grandmother’s presence. It was as if we were stepping back in time.”

Christine Malcolm, Maids Head General Manager, will be hanging a framed photograph of Edith Beart in the snug as a permanent reminder of ‘Love and The Maids Head Snug 1902’.

 

June Staddon and Dawn Medley’s Memories Tuesday, May 27 2008 

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June Staddon

June Staddon has worked at The Maids Head for 22 years, beginning part time in banqueting before moving onto the restaurant as a waitress, then a supervisor before becoming restaurant manager seven years ago.

I remember when Mr Cooke was the resident manager. It was just when I was starting out as a waitress. He used to eat in the restaurant every night. It was silver service then and everything had to be ‘just so’. But he was a really good boss and looked after the staff at Christmas time. The management used to serve our Christmas lunch in the Cavell Room.

I used to really enjoy the USAAF reunions. The same people came back year after year. We had a lot of fun with them.

One the best events we stage at the moment is the canapés at the start of the Moveable Feats during the Food Festival. Every public space is packed with people eating and chatting before they head off to other restaurants around the city.

Dawn Medley

Dawn Medley has worked at The Maids Head for 25 years as a banqueting and restaurant supervisor and for the last two years has been the lounge supervisor.

I remember Hannah Hauxley stayed, when she came to Norwich for a book signing event. She was an amazing lady

I have collected some old Maids Head postcards. One of the snug bar dated 29 November 1925 has a lovely message on the back – “Charming little bar, it is all rather wonderful.”

Some years ago a lady in her 90s came in and talked about carriages arriving through what is now the restaurant and the old reception which used to be in the snug.

A gentleman came in and remembered cars using the same entrance 35 years ago, but I sure it was probably earlier than that.

I believe in ghosts but have never seen a ghost, but once smelt the lavender. Lots of people come down to breakfast in the morning and comment on the lavender smell without being prompted.

 

Peachy Mead and Tales of the Unexpected Tuesday, May 27 2008 

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In my long career I have appeared in all types of work in the business, including a long spell (280 various parts) working basically as a ‘Walk on’ ‘Supporting Artist’, in T.V. This is the rank above ‘Extra’, and pays better especially if you have a few lines to say.

On one such occasion either late seventies, early eighties, we filmed one of the ‘Tales of the unexpected’ called ‘Stranger in Town’, and a lot of it was based in Norwich. In fact the maids head was like the H.Q. and I am pretty sure at least the star actor Derek Jacobi now a Sir, stayed at the hotel, plus another great actor Clive Swift. We used the hotel for many shots and if you see a D.V.D. of the episode, you will see the venue in all its glory.

I played a builder, with scenes in London St, and St Andrews, one of which I had a few lines with the great man.  During the breaks in filming we often had coffee at the Hotel. A rather strange instance happened I was in my builders outfit dirty tee-shirt and jeans, and covered in talcum powder, to look like brick dust. I walked in to the hotel for coffee and was told by member of staff, I was not allowed in, wearing my working clothes.

I tried to explain, but finished up walking back to Anglia House for my coffee.

One other thing of interest, the person playing the Hotel Doorman in this episode and wearing the full outfit, was Gerry Sutton, who was the actual son of the great music hall star Randolph Sutton, who also had a son working under the name Randolph Sutton Jr, who was in fact the grandson of the old star. As I was often a music hall chairman in my variety side of the business, I worked with both of them many times, but am not old enough too had worked with the real music hall star himself.

I am sure you have records of this for the date and you may find some of the other Tales were filmed using the hotel as it was made at the time by Anglia T.V.    

 Hope this will help,

 Sincerely,

 Philip (peachy) Mead.

 

John Garrett’s Story Friday, May 9 2008 

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My Grandmother, Edith Beart was working as a barmaid in the snug at the Maids Head Hotel in 1902 when she met my grandfather. He was David Maggs who had a successful saddlery business in Upper King St in Norwich. They married in 1904, and had four daughters, one of which was my mother Winifred.  So you could say that if it wasn’t for the Maids Head, I, and my family wouldn’t be here today.                                                                                                                                        I was at a family wedding at the hotel in December, and my wife, and I had a drink in the snug.  We felt we could feel my Grandmothers presence, as it seemed that we were stepping back in time.  I hope this will be of interest to you. John Garrett. 

 

Peter Wright Maids Head Maintenance Team Monday, Apr 21 2008 

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 Peter Wright, our long-serving maintenance man, died suddenly on the night of Thursday 22 May. We will miss his cheerful presence and unrivalled knowledge of the hotel. Peter began working here in the early 1960s and, except for a short spell when he ‘retired’ in 1995, dedicated his life to keeping The Maids Head going. He worked for 15 general managers.

Just before he died he enthusiastically contributed information to the new history of the hotel that we are compiling (see below), and even appeared live on BBC Radio Norfolk to talk about his memories of resident ‘ghosts’ and celebrities who have stayed her.

Peter’s recollections and sense of fun will live on but there will be a large hole in the heart of the hotel that will be impossible to fill.

Christine Malcolm General Manager

Peter Wright (78), who has worked on the hotel maintenance team since the early 1960s, with just a short gap when he ‘retired’ in 1995, has seen 15 managers pass through the Maids Head along with a whole host of celebrities.
Morecambe and Wise, David Niven, Reg Varney and Derek Guyler of ‘On the Buses’ fame, Sir Harry Secombe, Arsenal football team (1970s) and Wilfred Hyde are just some of the roll call of former guests.

“Wilfred Hyde-White always used to have room 402,” said Peter Wright, “and tipped 2/6d (12½p) in the 1960s, which was a good amount then. He said to me, ‘Now dear boy, have you seen This is Your Life.’ I said yes and he showed me his Red Book.”

“We also had fun with Morecambe and Wise. One night Eric asked for Ernie’s breakfast to be brought to him first. Two boiled eggs duly appeared the next morning. Eric emptied the eggs through a hole in the bottom and they were presented to Ernie, who proceeded to knock the tops off two empty eggs, with Eric hovering nearby!”

“Mr Pike was the manager when I started working here. He was the last manager of the hotel while it was in private ownership. He was succeeded by Mr Cooke who was the first County Hotels franchise manager and was at The Maids Head for 12 years. Mr Cooke also had The Royal Hotel in Norwich and The Star in Great Yarmouth.”

“It was Mr Cooke who researched the history of the hotel and put out a challenge saying that we were the oldest in the UK. He discovered an older hotel in Scotland, but nobody challenged our claim in England or Wales

 

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“We often used to decorate the hotel in the middle of the night when everything was quiet. One night I was dressed all in white and came out of the service room, just as a lady emerged from room 304 to go to the bathroom. She thought that this white ‘apparition’ was a ghost and screamed along the corridor.”
“In the 1980s a rugby team from Leeds came down on tour for a number of years and stayed with us. They were a great crowd and always paid for any damage!”

“Also in the early 1980s and Arabian prince was at the Maids Head. He gave me a £5 tip, which was a lot of money then. He put £150 behind the bar – it was drinks all round.”

 

 

 

 

Hello world! tell us about your fond memories of The Maids Head Hotel Norwich Tuesday, Apr 8 2008 

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The Maids Head in Norwich dates back over 700 years. To celebrate it’s 2.4 million refurbishment we would like to hear about past visitors fond memories of our hotel.