http://amberlynn14154.chudadi.com/ A blog by amberlynn14154 en http://amberlynn14154.chudadi.com/2008/08/22/peter-wright-maids-head-maintenance-team.html  Peter Wright, our long-serving maintenance man, died suddenly on the night of Thursday 22 May. We shall miss his cheerful presence as well as unrivalled knowledge of the hotel. Peter began working here in the early 1960s and, except on behalf of a short spell when he ‘retired’ in 1995, dedicated his life to keeping The Maids Head going. He worked on behalf of 15 general managers. Just before he died he enthusiastically contributed information to the new history of the hotel that we are compiling (see below), as well as even appeared reside on BBC Radio Norfolk to discuss his memories of resident ‘ghosts’ as well as celebrities who have stayed her. Peter’s recollections as well as sense of fun shall reside on but there shall be a large hole in the heart of the hotel that shall be not possible 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 in conjunction with a whole host of celebrities. Morecambe as well as Wise, David Niven, Reg Varney as well as Derek Guyler of ‘On the Buses’ fame, Sir Harry Secombe, Arsenal football team (1970s) as well as Wilfred Hyde are just some of the roll call of former guests. “Wilfred Hyde-White at all times 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 as well as he showed me his Red Book.” “We also had fun with Morecambe as well as Wise. One night Eric requested on behalf of Ernie’s breakfast to be took to him first. Two boiled eggs duly appeared the next morning. Eric emptied the eggs through a hole in the bottom as well as they were presented to Ernie, who proceeded to knock the tops off two unoccupied 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 as well as was at The Maids Head on behalf of 12 years. Mr Cooke also had The Royal Hotel in Norwich as well as The Star in Great Yarmouth.” “It was Mr Cooke who researched the history of the hotel as well as 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   .” “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 as well as 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 as well as screamed along the corridor.” “In the 1980s a rugby team from Leeds came down on tour on behalf of a number of years as well as stayed with us. They were a great crowd as well as at all times paid on behalf of any damage!” “Also in the early 1980s as well as 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.”       http://amberlynn14154.chudadi.com/2008/08/22/peter-wright-maids-head-maintenance-team.html Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:57:24 -0400 amberlynn14154 http://amberlynn14154.chudadi.com/2008/08/21/john-garretts-story.html 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, as well as had four daughters, one of which was my mother Winifred.  So you could say that if it wasn’t on behalf of the Maids Head, I, as well as my family wouldn’t be here today.                                                                                                                                        I was at a family wedding at the hotel in December, as well as my wife, as well as 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 shall be of interest to you. John Garrett.  http://amberlynn14154.chudadi.com/2008/08/21/john-garretts-story.html Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:17:57 -0400 amberlynn14154 http://amberlynn14154.chudadi.com/2008/08/22/peachy-mead-and-tales-of-the-unexpected.html 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’, as well as 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’ referred to as ‘Stranger in Town’, as well as a lot of it was based in Norwich. In fact the maids head was like the H.Q. as well as 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 on behalf of numerous shots as well as if you see a D.V.D. of the episode, you shall see the venue in all its glory. I played a builder, with scenes in London St, as well as 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 as well as jeans, as well as covered in talcum powder, to look like brick dust. I walked in to the hotel on behalf of coffee as well as was told by member of staff, I was not permitted in, wearing my working clothes. I tried to explain, but finished up walking back to Anglia House on behalf of my coffee. One other thing of interest, the person playing the Hotel Doorman in this episode as well as 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 numerous times, but am not old sufficient too had worked with the real music hall star himself. I am sure you have records of this on behalf of the date as well as 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 shall help,  Sincerely,  Philip (peachy) Mead. http://amberlynn14154.chudadi.com/2008/08/22/peachy-mead-and-tales-of-the-unexpected.html Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:55:30 -0400 amberlynn14154 http://amberlynn14154.chudadi.com/2008/08/28/june-staddon-and-dawn-medleys-memories.html June Staddon June Staddon has worked at The Maids Head on behalf of 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 as well as everything had to be ‘just so’. But he was a really good boss as well as looked at the end of the personnel 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 at the end of 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 as well as chatting before they head off to other restaurants around the city. Dawn Medley Dawn Medley has worked at The Maids Head on behalf of 25 years as a banqueting as well as restaurant supervisor as well as on behalf of the last two years has been the lounge supervisor. I remember Hannah Hauxley stayed, when she came to Norwich on behalf of 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 as well as talked about carriages arriving through what is now the restaurant as well as the old reception which used to be in the snug. A gentleman came in as well as remembered cars using the same entrance 35 years ago, but I sure it was probably earlier than that. I trust in ghosts but have never seen a ghost, but once smelt the lavender. Lots of people come down to breakfast in the morning as well as comment on the lavender smell without being prompted. http://amberlynn14154.chudadi.com/2008/08/28/june-staddon-and-dawn-medleys-memories.html Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:53:52 -0400 amberlynn14154 http://amberlynn14154.chudadi.com/2008/08/28/love-and-the-maids-head-snug-1902.html John Garrett from Sprowston, sister Jacqueline Dickerson, who lives in Eaton as well as brother Jeffrey from Hellesdon, can thank The Maids Head Hotel snug bar on behalf of 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, residence of the Evening News. Edith was the daughter of William as well as Hannah Beart. William was a gamekeeper, as well as worked at Cockley Cley Hall as well as also spent some time on an estate at Ashcombe in Devon. They married in 1904, as well as had four daughters, Margaret, Dorothy, Queenie as well as Winifred. Queenie, who died in 2002, was cashier at the Noverre Cinema on behalf of 30 years as well as also worked at the Hippodrome. Winifred was the mother of John, Jacqueline as well as Jeffrey. David Maggs had a drink problem as well as sadly the business seems to have folded soon at the end of 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 on behalf of 6p a day as well as also cared on behalf of an elderly lady. Edith was a regular churchgoer as well as attended St George’s Tombland. “Grandmother at all times stuck up on behalf of 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 an estimated all 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 as well as Tuesday 3pm to 8.30pm. Wednesday was half day off, Thursday’s shift began at 3pm as well as she worked 11am to 4.30pm on Friday as well as Saturday. The hotel’s telephone number at the time was 85 Norwich. Residents could garage their cars on behalf of 1shilling (5p) a night, but bicycle storage was free. The rates on behalf of room on behalf of the night began at 3 shillings (15p). The book introduces The Maids Head as…”the only purely Family Hotel as well as only Hotel with its posses Livery Yard attached in Norwich. It is the an estimated all unique house in England, being at least 600 years old, as well as combines all of the charm of an old-world hostelry with every up-to-date modern luxury.” Reviews from newspapers as well as magazines are included. “Certainly the Norwich hotels are decidedly well conducted, as well as 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 as well as 44th Companies of the Imperial Yeomanry recruiting on behalf of 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 on behalf of The Maids Head, that my family would not be here today. My wife, Lesley as well as I were at a family wedding at the hotel in December, as well as 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, shall be hanging a framed photograph of Edith Beart in the snug as a permanent reminder of ‘Love as well as The Maids Head Snug 1902’. http://amberlynn14154.chudadi.com/2008/08/28/love-and-the-maids-head-snug-1902.html Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:56:26 -0400 amberlynn14154 http://amberlynn14154.chudadi.com/2008/08/26/john-armstrong-chef-de-partie-1972.html     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 as well as 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 as well as as they were to do more work at the end of dark, they trooped into the restaurant in full drag, all made up, as well as sat at a table set on behalf of 12 in the centre of the restaurant. This created great hilarity among their fellow diners, in spite of the fact that the MP team duly remained deadpan throughout. Unfortunately none at all 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 as well as North Norfolk. One day a rep from the film crew referred to as in. He was searching on behalf of 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 as well as 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 – as well as appears in the film just at the end of 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 as well as 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 on behalf of her dog.     http://amberlynn14154.chudadi.com/2008/08/26/john-armstrong-chef-de-partie-1972.html Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:24:11 -0400 amberlynn14154 http://amberlynn14154.chudadi.com/2008/08/28/maids-head-memories.html 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) as well as 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 on behalf of dust. For some reason there was bread shortage in the late 70s as well as Mr Cooke bundled the housekeeping team into his Rolls Royce as well as 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 as well as Lord Denning. Anyone involved in an Anglia TV production stayed with us including actors appearing in ‘Tales of the Unexpected’. We also looked at the end of the contestants in ‘Sale of the Century’. David Niven stayed in 1975 as well as gave Jane Foster his autograph: “For Jane, Many thanks as well as 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 sufficient to have a whisky with comedian Dave Allen in his bedroom. Eamonn Andrews stayed here whilst preparing on behalf of a ‘This is Your Life’ programme on Robert carrier. He used the fire escape to leave the hotel to manufacture sure nobody spotted him Mr Cooke didn’t desire pop groups to stay, just in case they wrecked the hotel. Iron Maiden tried to book in but were turned down, but on behalf of some reason the Boom Town Rats slipped through the net. Some groups managed to slip through because of the fact that they booked through booking agents. John Rosenberg, producer of ‘Tales of the Unexpected’ at all times 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 as well as was delighted to get them back as he wore the tights to retain out the cold during filming. Roy Marsden as well as 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 as well as drink in the late 70s as well as early 80s as well as 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 as well as coffee. There was at all times 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 at all times had to dial the number on behalf of the guest – there was no direct dial. The hotel took part in the Lord Mayor’s Procession as well as the Norwich raft races   We think that there was a ghost on the first floor – the corridor was at all times cold!                             http://amberlynn14154.chudadi.com/2008/08/28/maids-head-memories.html Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:20:33 -0400 amberlynn14154