3.--Foot-racing was revived on the Old Cricket Ground at Norwich, by Mr.
Thomas Sapey, a local sportsman. A one mile handicap, open to all
England, brought twenty-four competitors, among whom were Thomas
Horspool, of Sheffield (holder of the one mile champion belt); C. Welton,
of Gateshead; William Newman, of London; Robert Bunn, John Brighton ("The
Milk Boy"), Richard Fromow, Jim Mace (pugilist), William ("Cock") Blyth,
&c. The meeting was continued on the 4th.
7.--The first meeting of the Norwich Photographic Society (established on
June 23rd) was held at Mr. W. Freeman's, London Street. The objects of
the society were the reading of original papers, the discussion of
different photographic processes, the collection of pictures, and the
formation of a photographic library.
20.--A dinner was held at the Town Hall, Yarmouth, to celebrate the
inauguration of Lord Sondes as High Steward of that borough.
22.--Norwich Theatre was opened for the Assize week, under the management
of Messrs. C. Gill and William Sidney, lessees of the Theatres Royal,
Leicester, Portsmouth, Leamington, and Jersey. They also had the
management of Yarmouth Theatre. The winter season commenced on November
11th. The new managers endeavoured to restore at Norwich the old style
and prices of the entertainments. "On each Friday night the prices will
be as they were a few years since, and on these occasions the pieces
selected will consist of standard plays and comedies, concluding with a
really funny farce." The company was a good one, and "the starring
system, which sacrifices every supposed subordinate character to two or
three leading ones," was "studiously ignored." Mr. Gill (who was
afterwards for several years manager of Lynn Theatre) withdrew from the
partnership in 1855, and on December 10th in that year the winter season
commenced under the sole management of Mr. Sidney.