Blue Badge guide Rod Spokes addressed our May meeting about Colman's of Norwich, where he had worked for 22 years. 14 at Carrow.
The famous mustard tin with the Boar's Head is the Colman's symbol, and their money was made from “the mustard people left on their plates”. Jeremiah Colman owned mills at Bawburgh, Magdalen Gates and Stoke Holy Cross, producing mustard, starch and Blue. Joined by his nephew James the firm became J & J Colman. Jeremiah James, born in 1830, was Jeremiah's son.
Land bought from the Norwich Railway Company In 1850 at Carrow improved transport 2000 people being employed. Jeremiah James married Caroline Cozens-Hardy. They lived at Carrow House and he served as County Councillor; Sheriff; Mayor of Norwich and Liberal MP. His eldest son Russell James, succeeded him.
Colmans produced their own packaging and mustard was bought by auction at Wisbech. They cared for their workers' welfare. In 1864 a school was built on Carrow Hill, houses followed, and Jubilee Terrace at Trowse. A nurse was employed, a dispensary provided and an ambulance. The Mustard Club employed Dorothy L Sayers to write copy. Colman's acquired Robinsons and Reckitts, producing POM mashed potato, orange juice, honey, Jif Lemon, Wincarnis, Vita Cup and Soda Stream.
They raised money for the Jenny Lind hospital. Norwich City Football Club leased The Nest from Colman's and the family gave a painting collection to the Castle Museum. After a fire at Carrow Abbey destroyed much of Jeremiah's 7500 book collection, the remaining two-thirds were donated to the City Library.
Several connections to Colman's survive - the Mustard Shop, now in the Royal Arcade; the YMCA building; the 1938 maternity hospital; links with the Norfolk News and Norwich Electricity Companies. The building housing Cinema City was given to the City. Jeremiah James's daughters Ethel and Helen were concerned with social affairs, one becoming the first woman JP in Norwich.
The Colman family had a wide-ranging influence on the life of Norwich, giving continuous employment to the city's workforce.
Anne Jones