Sarah Morley takes a look at Norwich's thriving Chinese community.
Norwich is a city with a diverse heritage. Some of its communities have been interwoven into Norwich’s history for thousands of years, some hundreds, and some have been part of Norwich for a few decades.
No matter how long they have been here all the communities make Norwich the city it is today, with a fascinating heritage. In the future it will be increasingly clear what each community has added to the city’s unique culture. The Chinese population has been in Norwich for an estimated 50 years but it already has a fascinating story to tell.
Earlier this year the Norwich Chinese community celebrated the New Year with a bang. The BBC held this year’s Chinese New Years celebrations on the 29th January in the Millennium Forum. There was room for all the family in the fantastic new building just to the left of the City Hall. On this family fun day there was the opportunity to learn Chinese calligraphy and help make your own Chinese dragon.
Meanwhile the children of Costessey Infant School had a treat on the day of the Chinese New Year, as they had the opportunity to watch and join in with the traditional Chinese Lion dance.
In 2005 there was a large colourful dragon dance festival in the streets of Norwich, which attracted large crowds. After was a huge traditional lunch which 150 people attended.
The Chinese new year is an important event to the Chinese, it dates back thousands with its roots in a story about an evil monster attacking a village. Before it could attack again the villagers made a plan to scare the monster away, they used the lucky colour red, firecrackers and gongs, which deterred the beast.
These activities lasted several days and have been a tradition ever since. The Chinese celebrate their new year for 15 days with family meals, mah-jong and of course firecrackers, gongs and dragons.
The history of the Chinese population in Norwich is relatively short, yet there is now a thriving community. Norwich is becoming increasingly renowned for its friendly and surprisingly multi-cultural atmosphere, which is clearly reflected in the thriving Chinese population, which in the 2001 demographic census was 1,399 - not including several hundred students at UEA.
Across Norfolk the Chinese community is one of the largest ethnic groups behind Indian and Asian.
There are two Chinese Associations available to Norwich residents. Firstly The West Norfolk and District Chinese Association. This association now has 250 members and according to Kwai Li, chairman of the Association, “There are members in Norwich and from all over Norfolk.”
The committee meets 8 times a year to discuss how to best raise awareness for Chinese people in this country. They also plan upcoming events such as New Year’s events and a mid-autumn festival. The aim of the non-profit organisation Mr Li said is to “Bring people together and be recognised in society.”
The second Chinese association, the Norfolk Chinese Association, was established by Mr Lam Mui Li who came to live in Norwich with his family in 1974, which was a popular time for Chinese immigration to Norwich. Today the organisation, which is based in Norwich at 20, Morello Close, has close to 200 local Chinese families as members. Many of the Chinese events in the city are as a result of the volunteer’s hard work in both associations.
Another important Chinese community base can be found at the Chinese Cantonese Methodist Church (CCMC) on Wroxham Road Sprowston, just outside Norwich.
The Services are described by Margaret Hardingham, the local preacher at CCMC, as “very popular because people come to meet others and speak in their own language.”Services are in Cantonese and the church remains true to many Chinese traditions.
There are around 50 members on a Sunday and 60-70 on a Monday. According to Margaret the church gathering and the Chinese community in general are “very family and friend orientated.” The Chinese services are not that dissimilar to the British way except for their new year’s traditions, and their sermons are longer (at least 90 minutes)
A recent story of immigration to Norwich, sheds some light on the experience of many Chinese residents of the city. Local restaurateur Sam Wong, a member of the CCMC, first came to Norwich in the late 1950’s and opened the first Chinese restaurant, the Soh Chow (now the Hong Kong Restaurant) in Prince of Wales Road.
He was joined later by his family, Mr Wong’s family is reportedly one of the first Chinese families to live in Norwich. Billy Wong, Sam’s son then opened his own restaurant ‘Billy’s Chip Shop’ in Sprowston in 1985.
He said “I love living in Norwich today as I feel it is my home and the best part of the country. I have lots of friends and customers.” Mr Wong is also the deputy head at the Chinese School at Earlham High School. The Chinese population are involved with a wide variety of occupations, for example there are many Chinese Doctors at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.
In fact the Chinese population has the largest percentage of economically active people in Norfolk according to the 2001 demographic census. The census also revealed that the “highest proportions of working age (16-64) are found in the Chinese and other ethnic groups.”
The population of Chinese people is still rising which could be because, as Mrs Hardingham explained, “Norwich is becoming more culturally aware and the Chinese are hard working and always want the best for their children,” so it is perhaps little wonder they are so welcome here.
With the UEA broadening their range of courses there are more opportunities for international students in Norwich. Specially tailored courses, such as the MA in Chinese and Asian Economics, attract an international and cosmopolitan intake of students. With Norwich’s already vibrant atmosphere and help from places like the C.C.M.C. and the UEA, Norwich is rapidly becoming more diverse.
Let’s hope the Chinese Year of the Dog brings the Chinese citizens of Norwich continued good fortune.
Sarah Morley is the 24 Hour Museum/Norwich HEART Student Writer in Norwich. Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust is the groundbreaking initiative to regenerate, manage and promote one of the most remarkable heritage resources in the UK and in Europe.
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