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Fascinating Facts about Norfolk-Suffolk Rivalry
Everybody needs good neighbours, as the old saying has it – but is that true of the long-standing rivalry between Suffolk and Norfolk?
Hamiltons Removals are based very close to the border of the two counties, so we are ideally placed to explain how it all started, and how it has developed over the years – as well as helping you with your house removals across both Suffolk and Norfolk.
It All Started in Anglo-Saxon Times
During the 6th Century, the Kingdom of the East Angles was founded by the Angles, one of the tribes who invaded Britain after the Roman occupation. The new kingdom was made up of two separate groups, the North Folk (Norfolk) and the South Folk (Suffolk).
The problem was there was no clear land border between the two, with Thetford Forest being the only obvious boundary. This led to constant disputes about who owned what – a rivalry which has continued throughout the Middle Ages and into much more recent times.
The ‘Battle’ of Lowestoft
In 2008, the Boundary Committee suggested that Lowestoft should become part of Norfolk, redrawing the county boundaries in a radical shake-up of local government. The argument was that the Suffolk town would benefit from having closer links with its coastal neighbour Great Yarmouth.
But angry residents, upset at the prospect of being forced to ‘move’ to another county, held protest marches and flag-raising ceremonies, and Lowestoft remains a part of Suffolk.
The Old Farm Derby
The most obvious manifestation of the rivalry between Suffolk and Norfolk comes on the football pitch. Ipswich Town and Norwich City have been rivals ever since the two clubs were formed. The first match between the two took place in 1902, when both clubs were still operating under amateur rules.
It was originally called the East Anglian Derby but in more recent years it has been dubbed the Old Farm Derby, reflecting the arable nature of the two counties. It’s also a pun on the Old Firm Derby between the two Glasgow clubs, Rangers and Celtic.
Initially Ipswich, who could also boast of successes in the Championship, the FA Cup and in Europe, enjoyed more success in the derby. In recent years, though, Norwich have held the upper hand, remaining unbeaten against their rivals for almost a decade. Matches between the two are always keenly contested, with fans keen to claim the title ‘Pride of Anglia’ for their team.
The Deuchar Cup
The sporting rivalry exists on the rivers too. Rowing’s Deuchar Cup was founded in 1909 by JJW Deuchar, a Norfolk JP who worked for Norwich Union Life. Although it was not contested for several years, in more recent times the competition has been revived, with the latest venue being the River Yare in Norfolk.
The rowers are drawn from clubs based in their respective counties. Members of Deben, Sudbury and Ipswich Rowing Clubs are among those from Suffolk who have taken part, while Norwich, Broadland and Yare have done battle on behalf of Norfolk. There are races for men’s, women’s and junior sections with each individual contest scoring points. At the end of the day, the county with the most points takes home the trophy.
Removals to Norfolk and Suffolk with Hamiltons
Hamiltons Removals provide a professional, competitively-priced service to all parts of East Anglia. We have many years of experience in house removals to both Suffolk and Norfolk, as well as the rest of East Anglia and the UK. We also have self-storage sites in south Norfolk – at Harleston and Aldeby – if you ever need to store some possessions away during house moves. If you would like to talk to any of our friendly members of staff then call us on 01379 854810, or follow this link and fill in the form to receive an online quote.
Five Top Cities to Move to in 2019
For many people, the New Year means a new start – and that often means moving abroad, whether it is to enjoy a better work-life balance, more space, a sunnier climate or just to experience a new culture.
Hamiltons organise competitively-priced, high quality international removals to Europe and around the world. Here we look at five cities which are likely to prove popular places to move to during 2019.
Vienna
The Austrian capital has always been one of the most popular destinations for Europeans moving abroad. Expats are attracted by excellent job prospects, high-quality public transport and one of the best healthcare systems on the continent.
New residents can enjoy some of the most stunning architecture in Europe, with the Hofburg and Schonbrunn Palaces well worth a visit. And don’t forget the city’s theatre, opera and classical music scenes, which are famous all over the world. Add to this the low levels of pollution and crime, and it should come as little surprise that Vienna topped the latest Mercers Quality of Living survey as the most desirable city to live in.
Vancouver
Canada boasts clean cities, stunning landscapes and friendly locals – and the western city of Vancouver is one of the jewels in its crown, attracting people from all over the world. It also ranks well in the latest Mercers survey.
Move here and you can enjoy all manner of winter sports, with skiing, snowboarding and ice hockey among the most popular activities. But you don’t need to worry too much about the cold, because the city enjoys quite mild winters. Vancouver also has a thriving cultural scene, with more than 50 professional theatre companies based in the city.
Munich
This German city is likely to be a popular place to move to in 2019. It ranked highly in the latest Mercers survey, coming in the top three, due largely to its strong economy. The European Digital City Index has highlighted the increasing number of hi-tech businesses which are being set up here.
Munich is also a vibrant, multicultural city. One in four of its inhabitants are of foreign origin, so anyone thinking about removals to Munich should have no problem fitting in. And there are plenty of places to chill out and relax, as a fifth of the city is made up of green spaces or parks.
Zurich
Many people consider moving to Zurich because of the job opportunities. The city is the home of the country’s world-renowned financial industry, employing four-fifths of the city’s workforce.
It is ideal for anyone who enjoys the outdoor life, as you can sail, swim or sunbathe at Lake Zurich, and skiers can take advantage of one of the many Alpine resorts nearby. However, if you are thinking about an overseas move to Zurich, one downside is that the city is a very expensive place to live.
Amsterdam
This city is a popular destination for expats, perhaps because it doesn’t really feel like a major city. It’s far smaller than other European capitals such as London or Paris, and much quieter too – many people get around by bike rather than by car.
The Dutch capital is also one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It has more than 1,000 protected national monuments and, thanks to its network of picturesque canals, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also one of the best high-tech cities to work in, thanks to a combination of fast broadband speeds and high salaries.
Moving Abroad with Hamiltons Removals
If you are thinking of international removals to Europe, East Anglia removals company Hamiltons are the people to call. We organise commercial and domestic moves to cities in the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany, including Amsterdam, Zurich and Munich.
And our international removals department can help you move house to countries across the globe, including the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Follow the link above to learn more about our services.