Norfolk, in particular Norwich has a long history of Chocolate making, starting towards the end of the Victorian era with Caleys (Famous for its Marching Chocolate bars for the Troops) at Chapelfield. Into the 20th century and Caleys sell to Mackintosh’s and they launch Rolo’s in 1937. During WWII the factory was destroyed in a bombing raid and wasn’t fully rebuilt until 1952. The 50’s saw many new products arrive including Munchies, Weekend & Caramac. In 1969 Mackintosh’s partnered with Rowntree’s of York. The Norwich site became the hub for Easter Eggs, making over 40million every year! Nestle took over the Company in 1988 and although they invested heavily, they closed after just 8 years in 1996. Hundreds of loyal workers were made redundant and the sweet smell of chocolate became no more in the air above Norwich. The site is prime City Centre location so was demolished to make way for flats, apartments, car park and indoor shopping centre – now known as Chantry Place. Nestle bequeathed Norwich Cathedral two large copper Victorian bowls, originally for toffee making (not Chocolate!). They are now used as a modern and unusual Font. Norwich is a City famous for its breathtaking amount of Churches within its original City Wall boundaries, 52 in all. Also in this small area was hundreds of drinking establishments. It was said that you could drink in a different pub every day of the year and pray every Sunday in a different Church of year! Norfolk itself has over 600 Churches, more than anywhere else in the World.
