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The History of Ludham GarageBy Mike Fuller with contributions from Beulah
Gowing, Arthur Clarke and Joan (Pop) Snelling |
My first memories of garages in Ludham is of the garage on the forecourt of the Kings Arms Public House attached to what is now the Flower shop and before that, (in 1922) the United Bus Service depot. The bus was kept there every night ready to return to Gt. Yarmouth the next morning.
Additional Information from Beulah Gowing who lived at the Kings Arms. - On the left of the Kings Arms was the bus garage built to house the Eastern Counties buses. The transport came from Yarmouth and the drivers stayed overnight at the Kings Arms and returned the next day. The Norwich bus used the garages for the same purpose. Behind the garage were stables and the skittle alley belonging to the Kings Arms. Later H. D. Brooks became the first garage owner and mechanic with his own petrol pump.
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 Left - On the campaign trail in the 1930s with Brooks' Garage in background. Holding the poster is Dennis Brooks. In the cart is Alfred Goodwin and Ebeneezer Newton. Behind the donkey's ears, George Hayhurst and Colonel Worship. Above - The house which replaced Brooks' old garage |
 Above - A Brooks business card Right - Back of the card |
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This garage was owned by H.D.Brooks and Son, and carried out repairs to motor cars and motor cycles. There were petrol pumps outside. Mr Brooks also had a small shop and cycle repairs business at the front of Folly House with two petrol pumps outside the front on the roadside. He also lived in Folly House at that time. The following pictures show various aspects of the garage business:
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| The photographs above
show Brooks' Garage at Folly House in the 1920s. To
the left is the Old Croft which was pulled down and
rebuilt at right angles in its present position. The shop on the right is Brooks' Cycle Shop. This building is still standing and is currently the Cat's Whiskers Hardressers. This building was formerly a 2 room cottage with a hob fireplace. It has had many uses since including being a waste paper depot during the war. H.D Brooks started using the building as a cycle agent, cobbler and cordwainer in 1908. For 20 years he repaired boots and shoes from hides he had prepared himself. He sent these all over the country and even to the USA to people who had emigrated but knew his work. |
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Both these garages carried on until the 1950s when Russell Brooks’ Son had the garage built in the Street were it is now. He later sold it to Mr Littleworth who lived in Albury House, and the shop and pumps were taken down from the front of Folly House. The forecourt of Ludham Garage had two petrol pumps at the front at first and then the wooden house next door was bought and taken down for the forecourt as it is today. Ludham Garage was built on the site of W. England's former Millwrights and Wheelwrights business.
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 This table shows images of Ludham Garage. The Street, Ludham and an advertising card from the business. This garage is still in business and now looks as seen above. |
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Notes on the growth of Ludham Garage by Arthur Clarke:
Bought from Alec Snelling - 9th March 1964
Formed Limited Company - June 1965
Extension to rear for MOT bays - Dec 1966
Bought the wooden house next door and took the petrol pumps from the road front to form the new filling station and pumps.
Bought the car park to rear of petrol station with right of way to School Road - Jan 1981
Bought land from Norwich Brewery - Mar 1985
Built new showroom and petrol kiosk with offices overhead - 1986
Built new body repair shop and spray booth with bake oven - 1989
Full makeover for front showroom and reception area for service and parts - Feb 2003
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These petrol prices look nostalgic now
