3.--The question of the restoration of the south and west faces of the
keep of Norwich Castle was discussed at the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, and
referred to the visiting justices, who recommended that it be undertaken;
and on May 17th the tender of Mr. Watson was accepted and the work
ordered to be proceeded with at once. On July 28th a public meeting was
held at the Guildhall, "to take into consideration the expediency of
instituting an inquiry into the necessity for covering up the face of
such an antient relic with new building," and a resolution moved by Mr.
Samuel Bignold, and seconded by Mr. Stevenson, expressing regret at the
"demolition," and suggesting that an antiquary and architect be consulted
before it was further proceeded with, was unanimously adopted. A
deputation was also appointed to wait upon the Gaol Committee. At a
meeting of the county magistrates, on October 17th, it was decided to
employ Mr. Blore, a well-known architect and antiquary, "to survey and
report upon the present state of the Castle, and the best mode of
proceeding with the repairs." Mr. Blore reported on November 10th that
the masonry was in a very bad state; that the then face of the building
was not altogether original, but that the repairs and restorations it had
undergone at various periods had been closely assimilated with the
original work. He recommended that what was needed to be done should be
judiciously incorporated with the ancient work. It was finally decided,
on January 9th, 1835, that the visiting justices be authorised to
continue the work as originally intended, and that they be empowered to
consult Mr. Blore or any other architect they might think proper to
employ.
9.--At a meeting of the Norwich Corporation, a resolution was passed
protesting against any report that might be made by the Municipal
Commissioners respecting the Corporation, "based on statements so utterly
unfit to justify Parliament in legislating on so important a subject,"
and inviting the various Corporations throughout the kingdom "to make
common cause with them in endeavouring to defeat any design that might be
in contemplation for wresting from them their antient charters,
franchises, and liberties."
12.--The organ of Norwich Cathedral was re-opened by Mr. Buck, after its
thorough reparation by Bishop, of Lisson Grove, London. The sermon on
the occasion was preached by the Right Hon. and Rev. Lord Bayning. The
instrument was the original work of Father Schmidt.
21.--The first of the Choral Concerts inaugurated "for the purpose of
obtaining a reserve fund for the support of the choral band at the
Musical Festival and for maintaining and keeping together the great body
of musical talent existing in the locality," was held at St. Andrew's
Hall, Norwich.
25.--During a performance by a company of comedians at Cley-next-the-Sea,
a pistol was fired, and the ramrod, which had been left in the barrel,
entered the side of an actor named Leary, who was badly injured.
27.--Mr. Frederick Vining, of Covent Garden and the Haymarket Theatres,
commenced a short engagement at Norwich Theatre, where he was formerly a
favourite actor. His impersonations included Young Rapid ("A Cure for
the Heartache"), Martin Heywood ("The Rent-day"), Sidney Maynard ("The
Housekeeper"), Templeton ("Deaf as a Post"), Frank Bramble ("The Poor
Gentleman"), and Harry Villars ("Open House").