Portraits of Life

This community engagement, social history project celebrates some of Norwich’s long-gone communities and buildings and reveals stories of everyday histories.

After World War Two and the subsequent redevelopment in the early 70s, the streets of Norwich looked very different. Gone were rows and rows of terraced houses and narrow shopping streets. Jack, a photographer at Coe’s Photography and latterly the UEA who died in 2005, captured some of those areas.

With the help of Derek James and Bill Smith, Jack’s photographs are being exhibited again. Take a look at how Norwich once was, hear some of the stories from those who lived and worked there and see archive films of the period from East Anglian Film Archive, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2026.

Derek James and Bill Smith will be giving an illustrated talk about Jack Roberts on Friday 18 September at 11am in The Auditorium. See separate listing for booking details.