Urban cache located in a muggle hot zone, highlighting what used to be The Firs Public House on one side of the junction, and the old Firs Speedway Stadium the opposite side. Sadly both have demised, one is now a supermarket, the other a housing estate.
Built in 1933 The Firs pub was closely linked with the Firs Speedway Stadium that played host to the Norwich Stars speedway team and attracted tens of thousands of visitors every week.
The Firs Public House
The Norwich Stars raced in the National League Division Two between 1947 and 1951 before joining Division One.
The stadium, which was based opposite the pub where the Meadow Way estate in Hellesdon is now located, attracted thousands of people every Saturday to see the likes of four-time world champion Ove Fundin and Billy Bales in action.
The Firs Stadium |
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A speedway full house also meant that the Firs pub itself was rammed to the rafters, with many popping in for a pre or post-meeting pint or two.
Some say that the pub was named after the speedway stadium which was sold for housing in 1964, bringing the Norwich Stars team to an end, meaning that, for many, The Firs was a lasting reminder of those great days.
Aerial view - 1946
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Aerial view - 2012 |
The cache is a concealed 35mm film cannister.
GZ is very open to muggles from all directions.
Take note of the parking time restriction of 20 minutes.
Observe signage at GZ - Smoking is bad for your health.
Bring your own pen to sign the log.
For anyone interested, feel free to expand the series to other lost pubs you may have known elsewhere in Norwich or beyond. Just match the cache title "Spirits of Pubs Past - (Pub name)" and you're away.
Cheers!
To view the full Spirits of Pubs Past series, Click Here
~~~~ Congratulations to Christmas Gang on FTF ~~~~