Norfolk in 1946: Beautiful sketches of local architecture

Stanley was a man of rare talent as seen here in this small selection of his sketches taken from one of his books More Beautiful Norfolk Buildings published in 1947 by Soman-Wherry Press of Norwich.

The best-selling book by Stanley Wearing published in 1947 (Image: Stanley Wearing)

He wrote: “The appreciative reception of the book Beautiful Norfolk Buildings which was produced in June 1944 and which is now out of print, encourages me to offer this second series of drawings.

“Subjects are well-nigh inexhaustible. Indeed, I cannot imagine, nor would I wish an end to this delightful task I have set myself on recording the beautiful and ancient buildings, secular and religious of this city and county.”

Stanley also wrote about the materials used to build our local architecture and how they have played a part in our lives over many years.

Roughton Church standing on high ground, close to the main road between Cromer and Norwich. Like a number of small parish churches in Norfolk, this one can boast of north and south aisles, also porches, a clerestoried nave, chancel and tower (Image: Stanley Wearing)

And he didn’t pick a good year, weather-wise, to set about his mission.

“Many of my drawings of necessity have been done from the vantage point of a car, and subjects chosen and the viewpoint regulated by the ability to manoeuvre the vehicles into the right spot,” he said.

“Many of the sketches were made in the pouring rain and necessitated another visit for correct shadow drawing,” explained Stanley.

“There is much to be said for this method of working. One is free from the worry of flies, which often mark the paper. Pencils and rubber do not get lost in the grass. Meals can be taken with one, a great saving of time where every drawing means a full day’s work and sometimes two days,” he added.

Let’s take a look at just a handful of his sketches looking at buildings and imagine Stanley sitting in his car on rainy days in 1946 – pencil in hand.

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Join us in a toast to a great survivor… here we have the 15th Century White Lodge Inn at Attleborough. Now on a more peaceful road following the building of the bypass. A much-loved public house (Image: Stanley Wearing)

Stiffkey Hall. It is thought building commenced before the death of the Lord Keeper (Sir Nicholas Bacon, 1509-1579) who left in his will, made in 1578, £200 towards the building of his son’s house at Stiffkey. The original building had 80 rooms. The sketch shows the west wing (Image: Stanley Wearing)

Half-timber structures and a enriched plaster finish to walls are rarely seen in Norfolk buildings. Stanley loved the 16th century Manor Farm in Tacolneston, in South Norfolk (Image: Stanley Wearing)

Illustrations of Elm Hill in Norwich are worldwide…but how about the back view. Stanley writes: “I cannot forebear expressing the opinion that attractive as the street scene is, the view from the river side is even more picturesque and interesting.” (Image: Stanley Wearing)

The Fishermen’s Hospital in Great Yarmouth which was fortunate to survive the destructions of war (Image: Stanley J Wearing)