The Ralph Hale Mottram Memorial was installed in 1972 to honor the Norwich writer, former Lord Mayor, and advocate for the city’s heritage. Proposed by the Norwich Society and supported by the Mousehold Heath Conservators, the memorial was funded with assistance from the Octagon Unitarian Chapel.
Designed by local sculptor David Holgate, the memorial features a plaque with a panoramic view of Norwich’s skyline, highlighting key landmarks. It stands as a tribute to Mottram’s contributions to literature, civic life, and the preservation of Norwich’s history and natural landscapes.
Mottram (1883–1971) was a founder member and long-serving secretary of the Norwich Society, dedicating 20 years to protecting and promoting the city’s cultural and architectural heritage. Best known for his novel The Spanish Farm (1924), inspired by his experiences in France and Flanders during the First World War, he became a full-time writer after its success. His Spanish Farm Trilogy was later adapted into the 1927 silent war film Roses of Picardy.
In 1953, he was elected Lord Mayor of Norwich and remained a passionate advocate for its landscapes, famously stating that Mousehold Heath was “the property of those who have the privilege of Norwich birth.” He lived and wrote from his home in Eaton and is buried at Rosary Cemetery.
The memorial continues to stand as a reminder of Mottram’s enduring impact on Norwich’s literary and civic history.
In memory of RALPH HALE MOTTRAM 1883 - 1971
Man of Letters - Lord Mayor of Norwich 1953 - 1954
Erected by public subscription in response to an appeal
by the Octagon Unitarian Chapel and the Norwich Society
with both of which he was closely associated for many years
