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 The
stories behind our street names
COZENS HARDY ROAD
(Sprowston)
THE quiet man of the people who was said
to have never read a novel, never entered a theatre
and never played cards.
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| Sydney Cozens-Hardy. |
But few underestimated Theobald Cozens-Hardy. A reserved,
kind-hearted gentleman who many sought advice from and
shared their troubles with.
Theobald was born in August of 1842, the third son of
William Hardy Cozens-Hardy of Letheringsett. He arrived
in Sprowston in 1865 and farmed Oak Lodge.
As a schoolboy he had a reputation for being “good
at figures” and this stood him in good stead when
dealing with the thousand and one details of local finance.
He was a member of a whole host of organisations and
groups and he dedicated so much of his life to helping
others.
Theobald always identified himself with the fortunes
of the Liberal Party and did his utmost for others.
He served on many different county council committees.
In his own parish of Sprowston, he was chairman of the
parish council and served on the School Managers’
Committee.
A kind, gentle and reserved man, he was always approachable
and took more pleasure from giving magisterial advice
in his own house, rather than dispensing justice on
the Taverham Bench. He died in February 1910.
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| Archibald Cozens-Hardy. |
His eldest son, Archibald, was a newspaper man. He
started on the Eastern Daily Press and Evening News
before working in London and later returning to Norwich
in 1897 to become editor of the paper.
Sydney Cozens-Hardy was the youngest son of William.
Born in 1850, he married Jessie. He became a solicitor
and a partner in the firm of Messrs Cozens-Hardy and
Jewson, which still flourishes today and is a major
player on the Norwich law scene.
He was another member of the family who devoted much
of his life to helping others and served a large collection
of organisations, including one with the extraordinary
name of the “Decayed Tradesmen’s Society”.
Sydney was on the committee of the Norfolk and Norwich
Eye Infirmary, the Norwich Dispensary and the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
He was also president of the Norfolk and Norwich Law
Society and a JP and when he wasn’t working he
loved playing bowls.
Other members of this famous family went on to play
a major role in the life of Norwich and the whole of
Norfolk.
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