A little history
The open space which now contains Sewell Park, was given to the City of Norwich on the 6th July 1908 by members of the Sewell family of Old Catton. The space was donated by Mr Edward Sewell in memory of his father, Philip Sewell, who died in 1906. Philip Sewell had been a great philanthropist and earlier in his life had been a leading railway engineer in England and Spain. Philip was the brother of Anna Sewell, author of the famous novel Black Beauty, and he is commemorated in a fine, stained-glass window in Christ Church, New Catton.
Over the following year the City Engineers set out the park with shrubs, trees, entrance gates, a water supply and seating, provided by the Sewell sisters and Mr E G Buxton, Lord Mayor of Norwich in 1908. In July 1909 the park was officially opened by Mr Buxton, the Sewell sisters, the incumbent Lord Mayor Mr Walter Rye, and members of the Corporation. The Eastern Daily Press reported that a large, enthusiastic crowd attended the ceremony.
George Cooper, who lived in Rackham Road, was the park keeper from 1938 – 1962. His son Cliff recalls how his father loved Sewell Park. George worked long hours, opening the park in the early morning, cycling home at speed for a quick lunch, and locking the park at sunset. He carried out most of the work in the park, cutting the grass with a push mower, using shears to control the huge holly hedge and tending the flower beds and shrubberies. George was also on duty at weekends and at Christmas. During the Second World War Mr Cooper was on hand to help people reach the air raid shelters under the park. He was also an ARP Warden, a member of St John Ambulance and sometimes carried out fire-watch duties on the roof of Norwich Cathedral.
Most of all, Cliff remembers how his father had a great passion to see Sewell Park looking pristine and at its loveliest at all seasons of the year.
