He died five years ago but his memory and his work live on… Philip Armes was a much-loved and talented gentleman.

And as time moves on his wonderful photographs, and films, taken for Norwich Corporation, now City Council, are more important than ever.

Our pictures today come via Frances and Michael Holmes of Norwich Heritage Projects who worked closely with Philip while compiling their books.

Norwich Evening News: Remember the popular Corner Tea House opposite Jarrolds?Remember the popular Corner Tea House opposite Jarrolds? (Image: Philip Armes with thanks to Norwich Heritage Projects)

Norwich Evening News: The much-loved civic photographer Philip Armes. He died in 2017 but his memory lives on.The much-loved civic photographer Philip Armes. He died in 2017 but his memory lives on. (Image: EDP© 2004)

They were taken at the start of the 1960s, a decade of swinging music and swinging demolition wrecking balls when it seemed old was bad and new was good.

Philip was born in the 1920s and served around the world with the RAF in the Second World War.

On his return from service he became a photographic assistant with the Corporation began and his lifelong work as a skilled and clever photographer and film-maker began.

Norwich Evening News: All change – again. This was St Stephen’s in the early 1960s.All change – again. This was St Stephen’s in the early 1960s. (Image: Philip Armes with thanks to Norwich Heritage Projects)

Working with the planning department he went out to take photographs of an area which was to be re-built or re-developed.

Michael said Philip became a great friend over the years and provided them with many images from his large and well-ordered collection of local photographs.

Norwich Evening News: Apart from the traffic being stopped from using Gentlemen’s Walk little has changed – and our market still serves us so well.Apart from the traffic being stopped from using Gentlemen’s Walk little has changed – and our market still serves us so well. (Image: Philip Armes with thanks to Norwich Heritage Projects)

“His images are not posed or intended to make any artistic statement. Instead they carry out an authenticity of exactly what Norwich was like at the time,” said Michael.

Look out for more of his work in the book Norwich 1945 to 1960: A Journey from Austerity to Prosperity by Norwich Heritage Projects.

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Norwich Evening News: A busy day on Guildhall Hill. Some things never change – thank goodness. The joys of eating an Aldous ice-cream. Remember Chris?A busy day on Guildhall Hill. Some things never change – thank goodness. The joys of eating an Aldous ice-cream. Remember Chris? (Image: Philip Armes with thanks to Norwich Heritage Projects)

Norwich Evening News: Demolition men at work in the city centre during 1960.Demolition men at work in the city centre during 1960. (Image: Philip Armes with thanks to Norwich Heritage Projects)

Norwich Evening News: Making way for the library in 1960.Making way for the library in 1960. (Image: Philip Armes with thanks to Norwich Heritage Projects)