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Docwra's Rock Factory, Regent Road, Great Yarmouth

Photographs of Docwra's Rock Factory in 2007

By Oliver Cruickshank

Profile of Stephen Docwra: Owner of Docwra's Rock Factory

Stephen Docwra owns the company Candigrove Ltd, better known as Docwra's Rock Shop. The company was set up by his grandfather who started making sweets from his factory in Middlegate in 1896. He opened the shop in Regent Road in 1922 and it is still going strong today. Stephen says the technology they use to make rock has changed little in the last 70-80 years.

A typical day in the summer involves making lettered rock in front of the public, which is the main attraction that brings people into the shop. Aside from rock they make chocolates, confectionary novelties, humbugs, lollipops, all the sweets associated with a seaside rock shop. They also supply all the tourist resorts from Hunstanton to Clacton.

Stephen says the only negative aspect to the job is that his business is heavily dependent on tourism, which he hopes will continue to improve. He enjoys working with the public and wants to expand the chocolate and promotional rock sides of the business.

Transcript_of_an_interview_with_Stephen_Docwra.doc (20k)

Portrait of Janet Docwra behind the rock counter

Martin Figura

Portrait of V. Cashman behind the rock-making counter

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Portrait of Andy Docwra behind the chocolate counter

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Portrait of T. Carpenter making chocolates

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Portrait of T. Carpenter making chocolates

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Close-up of Docwra's Easter display

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Close-up of sticks of Docwra's Rock

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Close-up of bags of Docwra's Rock on sale in the shop

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View of Docwra's Rock Shop

Martin Figura

This page was added by Oliver Cruickshank on 08/05/2007.

Comments about this page

There was also a Docraws rock factory near the South Denes just about opposite the Pleasure Beach, I used to live on the Barrak Estate and on a good day with the wind in the right direction you could smell the lovely sweet smell of the rock being made. There was a school friend of mine who's mother was a supervisor there her name was Ada Colman they lived on Micawber Avenue. At the end of the day we used to go and meet her from work and if we were very lucky could go inside and see the rock and other sweet's being made, after which we always came away with a few free sample's. I can just smell it now . Happy days

By Ron Lovick
On 30/09/2008

Anyone remember a confectionery shop in late 1800s to early 1900s. Run by Plowman family? 72 and 73 Regent Road

By Gazza
On 14/06/2010

God the hours and hours I have spent over the years in the school summer holidays watching the production process in the early 80's.

By Paul Ewing
On 15/01/2013

After years of trying to trace my family tree, I have found my granfather Edwin Plowman came from Yarmouth. His stepmother Jane and father Charles had a shop and lodging house he had 3 brothers, their name was Plowman. Does anyone know anything about them?

By winifred plowman keogh
On 24/05/2013

My Dad, Charlie Ellis, worked on maintenance for several years and I worked during the hols. Lovely people - wish them well!

By Sandra Cargill
On 11/09/2013

Docwras:

When I grew up in Stanley Road the Docwra family had an extensive property behind our house. This property extended from Belvedere Road in the East to Moat Road in the West and was between Stanley Road and Hammond Road. There were large garages across the Belvedere Road side of the property with a dwelling house of some kind behind that. The rest of the property appeared to be a very large garden/orchard.

By David Emmerson
On 29/02/2020

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