Autumn Lecture 2026
Great Expectations and Mousehold Aerodrome: Two Norwich Histories
About the Event
This joint lecture evening brings together two researchers whose work illuminates contrasting but equally compelling aspects of Norwich’s past.
Great Expectations – Alderman John Norman’s Plans for Immortality by Jo Wilde.
John Norman, Mayor of Norwich in 1714, left what is possibly the longest and most detailed will in the Norfolk Record Office. Despite that, his wishes were only ever partially met. His supporters’ confident expectations that he would receive a knighthood in 1715 were also unmet. My research set out to discover why, but what I found was more mystery.The brief and interesting history of Mousehold Heath Aerodrome by Reuben Harvey.
Mousehold Heath has a long and rich history in Norwich, but for a short while, between 1915 and 1945, it served as an aerodrome and Norwich’s first airport. In the space of thirty years, a military drill ground was transformed into a civilian flight school and later a decoy airfield. Although its history was short lived, it held an important place in the history of Norwich and international interwar aviation.Speaker Biography
Jo Wilde
Born in Yorkshire with deep East Anglian roots, Jo Wilde is a first cousin thirteen times removed of Alderman John Norman. A long-standing interest in family history led her to explore the politics of early modern Norwich and the city’s tradition of civic benefaction. As a (very) mature student on the Early Modern MA at the University of East Anglia, she has pursued her genealogical interests while developing wider historical perspectives.Reuben Harvey
A native of Mousehold Heath, Reuben Harvey first discovered his interest in its history close to home. Following postgraduate study at the University of East Anglia, he has delivered numerous talks and tours on Norwich’s past, with a particular focus on Mousehold. He looks forward to sharing his research on the lesser-known aerodrome.Ticket Information
Society Members: £0.00 (Free)
Non‑Members: £5.00
Book Your Place
Details on how to access the lecture will be sent directly to current Norfolk Record Society members.
All non‑members are invited to book their place via the book your ticket button below. You will be taken to our PayPal checkout to complete your payment. Following receipt of your payment, you will receive a confirmation email containing the Zoom access details. These will be issued manually and sent by midday on Wednesday 14 October.
UEA Staff and Students are eligible for complimentary free tickets, please complete the form below.
Further Information
Related volume(s) and a recording of the lecture, where available.