Camberwell, Peckham, East Dulwich & Surrounding Areas

DSCF2341

DSCF2340   Melbourne Grove Flats 2015

(with the original Camberwell Borough Council Coat of Arms)

Memories from Members of the Peckham Society (Very Interesting)

http://www.peckhamsociety.org.uk/letters/index.html

Lucas Gardens 1997

DSCF0018

http://www.londongardensonline.org.uk/gardens-online-record.asp?ID=SOU054#

Kings Grove, Peckham 1953

photo (10)

photo (9)B photo (9)C

photo (8)

photo (9)

photo (7)

Photos of Kings Grove, Peckham, 1953                                                                  (courtesy & copyright of Barrie Hamond 2014)

The photo below is a  view looking up Underhill Road from the Parade of Shops in 1997, as you look up to the right you can just see Banfields Wood Yard, which sadly has been replaced by more flats, I remember my Dad always buying his wood from there when I was growing up in the late 1950s early 1960s.

DSCF0029

Camberwell

1977 Jubilee Street Party in Geoffrey Close, Camberwell Green

Copy & Paste Link below to London sound recordings – Camberwell Street Party 1946

http://www.soundsurvey.org.uk/index.php/survey/radio_recordings/1940s/2096/

VE and VJ Day Street Parties on Ridsdale Road, Anerley SE20 (1945)

(copyright London Screen Archives)

East Dulwich

Everitt Vero Co Ltd

veros

This is the original building of Everitt Vero & Co ltd, situated at the end of Crystal Palace Road, my Mum, Joan Chinery, worked there in the 1960s making safety hats & helmets, I took this photo approx 1998, I don’t know if this building is still standing but it belonged to Fords motors when I took this photo.

447px-Im196909MS-Vero2

JOAN CHINERY

Joan Chinery with her two sons, John Chinery on the left, and Fred Chinery Jnr on the right.

Everitt Vero Co Ltd was founded around 1878 by our Great grandfather
who came from a family of Hatters in Atherstone Warwickshire. Sadly the firm
ceased trading in 1990 and nearly all of the buildings cease to exist . Some of the workforce were, Joan Chinery, Maureen Flannery & Madge Gage, who was in charge, at the ” New Factory” in Crystal Palace Road at the rear of 33 East Dulwich road. The sewing
work was done mainly on the first floor which was reached by an outside
staircase. The shells were made at the moulding works at either 49 East Dulwich
Road or 88 East Dulwich Grove.   Bill Vero

Len the Driver Len the Driver (2) Machinist (2) Goss Helmet (2)Len the DriverLen the DriverLen the DriverPhotos & Info Courtesy & Copyright of Bill Vero 

Many thanks for all your help Bill Goss Helmet

This short trip through East Dulwich was filmed approx 1998

Jubilee Street Party 1935

The photo below, pictured on the left, is my dad, Fred Chinery, my two uncles, Frank & Ron Chinery & my Nan, Their Mum, Patsy Chinery at the Jubilee Street Party in 1935 at Rodwell Road, East Dulwich, South east London

jubilee street party Rodwell rd 2 copy

jubilee street party Rodwell rd copy

(below) L/R Frank Chinery, Fred Chinery & Ron Chinery outside no 8 Rodwell Road about 1932/33

Untitled-26d

Untitled-27d

On the left is (Nan) Patsy Chinery, don’t know who the other two ladies are, the two herberts in the front are Ron &  Fred Chinery again outside 8 Rodwell Road

Nan Chinery, Cyrena Road, East Dulwich

(above) My Nan, Patsy Chinery in Cyrena Road, East Dulwich, late 1950s – early 1960s

George 5th coronation 1935 2 adj dcs arch 2 copy

George 5th coronation 1935 3a adj dcs arch 1 copy

The above photos of the street party are to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George the 5th in 1935. The Road is Ulverscroft Road, facing North Cross Road

Home Guard Certificate ww2 copy

The above certificate sent in gratitude from Camberwell Borough Council to members of the Home Guard in WW2                                                          DCS Archives

The above certificate, and the two Silver Jubilee Photos above that, are owned by Dave & Carol Seymour, who also own the copyright.                    

Many thanks to Dave & Carol Seymour for all their ongoing help

Kimpton Road , Camberwell, Coronation Day copy

Kimpton Road, Camberwell, 1950 Coronation Day

Photo Courtesy & Copyright of JRC Archives

Petticoat Lane Market

East Street Market

Some activities of the Bermondsey Council

“Some Activities of Camberwell Borough Council”  copyright Southwark Council, from the YouTube channel of the Wellcome Library

DULWICH VILLAGE aka GO TO IT

Dulwich Village in the 1940s

(Copyright Pathe News)

Memories of South London by Rosemarie Doswell

South London Tabernacle

When I was a little girl, the shop on the right hand corner was the sweet shop.  Next to that came Mr Parry, the Chemist. Looking at the tabernacle, on the far right hand corner, were steps down to the basement and steps up to the rear entrance of the building.

Us children spent a lot of time on the steps turning them into a hospital, a house, a school even a train.

The turning is Shenley Road and I lived at number 28.  Moving along Peckham road to the right of the photo there was a large factory.  Barnes Pianos.  We would hear them tuning the pianos.

Going even further to the right there was the lunatic asylum.  This is, more or less, opposite Camberwell Town Hall.  When the asylums closed down, our one was taken over by the Council and is now the Registry Office and various admin departments.

St Giles Church, Camberwell

600px-St_Giles,_Camberwell_Church_Street,_London_SE5_-_geograph_org_uk_-_1721276

(The copyright on this image is owned by John Salmon and is licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license.)

St Giles Church is where Harry and I married in 1954.  It was the church that I attended as a girl. (I was in the Brownies and then the Guides).  Us kids spent a lot of our holidays playing in the cemetary – at the back of the church.  Behind that was the dairy – United Dairies – They kept their horses there.  We were allowed to visit the horses. – as long as we behaved ourselves.      Rosemarie Doswell

1881 Census: Residents of Camberwell (Havil Street) Workhouse

Links Below – just copy & paste

http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Camberwell/CamberwellHavilStreet1881.shtml#Inmates

Charles Booth’s Notes – http://booth.lse.ac.uk/notebooks/b375/jpg/17.html

 

Copyright – ©  Important Notice – Please note all material on this website, photos, information & design is protected by owner copyright. It is an offence to use any of the material from this website without the owners permission.©

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

If you have any cine film of Camberwell, Dulwich, Peckham or any surrounding areas, workman on the council, views of these areas, anything of interest from the 1940s/1950s/60s/70s/80s and so on, stored away in boxes or in the loft etc, and would be happy to share these, I am able to convert, upload to this site or transfer to DVD.

Len Ellis was one of the many drivers on the council, and also a keen moviemaker in the 1960s, he made some films  about the council workmen, parks, etc, he would bring them to my house once they were edited, set up his projector and show my Dad, I was only a kid at the time, they were sound and in colour, fantastic, they would have been a brilliant asset to this website. 

Also, If you have any photos and a particular story or memory to match, that would be great, I am also able to scan, upload or transfer all photos to disc.

Any cine film or photos provided would be handled & looked after with the utmost care, any help anyone can give would be greatly appreciated, as I am trying to include as much information on this site as possible, you can email me at writenotestudios@yahoo.com

Many Thanks, John Chinery 

110 Responses to Camberwell, Peckham, East Dulwich & Surrounding Areas

  1. computedshorty says:

    Denmark Hill was once a thriving area, with the Camberwell Palace Theatre live shows , the Odeon Cinema corner of Coldharbour Lane, the Golden Domes Cinema very small with gas lamps at the side of the auditorium, this was facing the tram shelter in the middle of the road, the trams were noisy you could hear them at a show, but they got you there and home for a few pence.

    A Lyons Corner House for your cuppa, or get your fresh pies or sausages from Kennedys, your radio’s from Analoy Radio shop, walk round Woolworth buy a few things for just pence, buy your clothes or even a watch or a gun at J. A. Davis the Mail order Store.

    Get that excellent service from a much smaller Kings Collage Hospital, no large Dentist Block then, drop into the Fox on the Hill for a livener, visit Ruskin Park, take a train for that day out from Denmark Hill Station.

    You might even bump into Freddy Mills The Boxer who lived at the top of the road.

    Those were the days, now very much altered, the changes are not for the better, still if you did not know how it was then it could suit you.

    • Beryl Chandler says:

      I certainly remember all the things mentioned above. I used to belong to the youth club at the baptist church in Coldharbour Lane. My father was born in Bengeworth Road in 1905. In the 1950’s my mother worked at J A Davis.

      As a child I attended Dulwich Hamlet school at the same time as Freddy Mills’s step-son. Then I went to Honor Oak Girls School. My brother, six years my junior went to Heber Road school and then to Alleyns.

      • Peter Baker says:

        Hello Beryl, from 1952 to 1965 I lived directly opposite the baptist church in Coldharbour Lane in a block of flats called Pinner House. In a house next to the church lived an elderly gentleman and from our window I’d see him going to church. He was always accompanied by a younger lady that I guess must have been his daughter. From 1947 to 1952 I attended Dulwich Hamlet school and lived by the toll gate in College Road. Do you remember Miss Barnes the headmistress and Mr Goddard the maths teacher? I can’t remember any more teachers names. In my class was a boy called Alan Sugar and always wonder if he is Lord Alan Sugar. Do you remember the school Christmas service at St Barnabas church. Nice to share these happy memories with you.

        • Beryl Chandler says:

          Hello Peter, I was at Dulwich Hamlet from 1947. I started in the Infants school in 1946 and then into the Juniors. Yes I remember Miss Barnes, she was quite a character. I do remember Mr Goddard although until I saw his name on your post I had forgotten it. I remember there was a boy who was extremely good at maths and I think he took his 11+ or maybe it was an entrance exam very early and got a place at Dulwich College. I also remember the May Day celebrations we used to have, I think it was at one of those that I sang solo for the first time. In the summer the boys used to play cricket in their playground and I used to join in sometimes but after three warnings about it I got the cane. I also remember going upstairs to the staff room and doing washing up!

          • Val Wilson (was Nevill) says:

            Hello, Beryl, we seem to have been at the same schools. I loved the May Day celebrations, dancing around the maypole and attending the May Queen whilst performing a processional minuet.
            Remember at the end of the day we put our chairs up on tables and sang ‘Now the day is over, night is drawing night…..etc’?

          • Peter Baker says:

            Hello Beryl, I’m sorry its take me so long to reply. I only checked the posting this afternoon wondering if I’d had a reply and you have. So nice to hear from you and the memories we both share. Oh yes, the May Day celebrations I remember so well and was always disappointed every year when I didn’t get picked to have a go around the maypole. I too had so much fun in the play ground also in the sports ground over the brick wall from the play ground playing cricket. Do you remember David Bates he was my best pal. He got a place at Dulwich College after the 11+. I remember feeling a bit jealous! Two other names come to mind are Janice Stickles and Keith Miko. Remember the sweet shop (called the tuck shop) with a few coupons to buy 2oz of sweets on the way home riding my blue Hercules bicycle. Dulwich village was an idyllic place to grow up. I never had the cane but I did receive a severe telling off from Miss Barnes once. My goodness she did frighten me!

          • Anne Kelly says:

            Anne Kelly, I attended Dulwich Hamlet and Honor Oak at the same time as you !
            Apparently Miss Barnes lived well into ‘old age’.
            Mr Barraball and Mr South, were some other names.
            A few of our age group died young.

        • Val Wilson (was Nevill) says:

          I was there at that time too. I remember some teachers, Miss Appleyard, who got married, I think, and became Mrs Apps. Mr Holmes, Mr Eliot, Mrs Brickell, and the lovely kindly Mrs Reeks who played the piano and taught singing. During my last year Mrs Barnes retired, replaced by Mrs Pond, who was scary to say the least.
          The older girls used to be press ganged into going upstairs to the staff room and making tea and washing up. I was terrified!

          • Janis Funnell (Stroud) says:

            Hello Val Wilson, I lived at 74 East Dulwich Grove and also went to Dulwich Hamlet school. I remember Mrs Pond, who was indeed scary also Mr Barable who owned one of those 3 wheeled cars, two wheels at the back and on in the front also had a teacher called Miss Tanner. I would walk for miles around Dulwich during school holidays and lived in and around East Dulwich until I left for Brisbane, Australia where I have been ever since. But do remember places such as St Barnabas church, used to try and scrump the cherries from the front garden but the Vicar always chased me off! Just lucked on to this site purely by accident just a I lucked onto an old Pic of the shops at beside Dulwich hospital. There used to be a laundry behind our house but it then became a motorbike helmet factory I think there are little houses there now. The row of shops I lived on contained our place right beside the hospital, shoe repair shop, then an old shop that sold old radio batteries, a double fronted grocers called Cave Austin, a chemist, sub post office and a newsagent tobacconist cum sweet shop. I remember watching the Queens coronation on our 12″ tv.

      • Rose says:

        Hello, Beryl, I went to Honor Oak Grammar School – 1947 to 1950. When we’re you there? Rosession Godfrey (now Doswell)

        • Beryl Chandler says:

          Hello Rose, No I was a bit behind you. I did not start at Honor Oak until September 1951. I expect some of the teachers were the same. Your headmistress had retired and a new one Miss Gibbs began at the same time as us. Then Miss Frearson, Miss Stuart, Mrs Winter, Miss Game, I can ‘see’ some other faces but the names elude me at the moment.

          • Valerie Blaber says:

            Hello Beryl
            Do you remember a Pat Dixon from Honor Oak? She left in 1956 to study Physiotherapy at King’s College Hospital. I have had a request from a cousin in Australia to see if I could find any information for an old flame of hers!
            His name is Alan and he went to Alleyn’s. Evidently he doesn’t use computers.
            I know the names of some of the other girls in her year, Jean Chedgy, Wendy Bustard, Evelyn Hinds Brenda Woodgate, Isabella Turner, Pamela Mellish.
            Thank you
            Valerie

      • colleen Wilson says:

        I lived opposite Freddie Mills in Denmark Hill for a time and belonged to the same Amateur Dramatic society as Donald his stepson.He became an actor and as far as I know is still acting.

    • Dian Mann says:

      “Jogging Villa” was the name of Freddie Mills house , just past Ruskin Park, I can see Freddie now in his big Cel coat walking around Walworth Road with the locals calling out to him, he was our local sporting hero. Later we had Henry Cooper and his brother, they used to go to Levey’s the Tailor which was on the left just as you came under the railway bridge as the Walworth Rd met up with the Elephant and Castle, not there now

  2. computedshorty says:

    Pubs
    My local pub was the George Canning near Denmark Hill Station.

    A Public House is a place where many hours are spent with your friends and those who use that place, each has a personality, maybe not to the liking of all the patrons, the Clientele changes by the time of day, lunch time customers stay just an hour, away from their work place, but they can be distinguish by their dress.

    Joe comes in the bar, dressed in greasy overalls unshaved and black oil stained hands and arms. “How you is alright was it?” He greets us. This is Hungarian Joe, a refugee to our community, he has not mastered English yet, every other word is a swear word, he apologises as he knows he is swearing, but he persists, we have got used to it so take no offence.
    He has a shed in the rear garden of his home, where he repairs cars, when asked to do a body repair, in his own words he would say “I vil vak it and vollop it and veld it good.”
    I once asked him to do a welding job on my car. Once the car was jacked up he slid underneath taking the Acetylene torch with him, he poked his head out puffed on the minute fag end in his mouth, pointed the torch across his lips and ignited the torch, I cringed as I thought he would have burnt his lips off, but he knew best it is only the tip of the lighted acetylene that was hot.
    He had lots of people that stayed with him and his wife, at the moment a young girl was telling us of her time with the Circus, I am one to wind up people, so she had said “I am a Trapeze Artiste”, I asked “Did she wear a Leotard”, where upon she ran out of the Pub, returning shortly dressed in her Costume, completely ignoring the jibbing of the customers. Joe said “How did you get into my Flat you have not got a key”. Joe was worried as his flat on the forth floor, it was not easy to enter as he had made a Steel frame and door, how had she got in? “ I climbed up the front of the house and the window was open”. There was indeed a steel door there as he said it was to delay the Police if they raided looking for his illicit Still in the Loft. He told her not to show him up, and go and dress properly, reluctantly she went to change, the whole bar cleared as everybody trekked out to see her scale the old style Stucco fronted house three doors along from the Pub, I must say she is very nimble and has a very nice bottom.
    Our pub, or the one of our choice was near to the William Booth, Salvation Army Citadel, the Training College for the hundreds of young students to qualify then to be sent all over the world, some of those came into the Pub, for a Lemonade and a look at the persons that indulged in drink. I must say I was not pleased to be in Joes company when they called., but then life is as you see it.

    The Kings Collage Hospital is also nearby, it’s a Training Hospital the student nurses came in droves to the Pub in the evenings, in hope for a chance meeting with the young Doctors, seeing the antics that they performed in the bar, dancing on tables and behaving like ruffians, was not giving a good impression of their profession, these young ladies had lodgings nearby, and shared four or five to a flat. Most had parties that in the end caused their loss of tenancy. I have in later years seen some of these ladies who are now a pride of their profession.

    Nearly all pubs have a few seats out the front, on a nice evening it is pleasant to just sit there and watch people pass by, I like to look at their footwear, if a man wearing solid style shoes, clean as the day they were made, you could guarantee that looking up at his attire he would be wearing a suit, a person who is wearing Trainers scuffed and black marked and never seen a clean with the laces trailing behind, gives an indication to me that his whole dress will show as denims with holes and paint stained.
    It amazes me how a person can walk with only part of the foot in the boot with the heel not reaching the sole of the boot, and the boot bending over, the side of it coming into contact with the foot path. There are so many who force down the back and use as a slipper, walking is now so difficult that it is funny to see.

    When it was time in the old days, time was called and ten minutes to drink up then the door was opened, if the drink was not finished it would be removed, and everybody left.
    There is a trend now to drink straight from the bottle, no glass is offered, having been into the cellars of the pub I would not do this as there are rats who walk on the crates of beer, and these bottles travel in open lorries that allows the grime of the open road to get onto the bottles.

    Seats in the bar are used by many patrons at different times, each thinking it is their chair, and should anybody else sit there woe be-gone them.
    An unknowing person who sat there would be requested to move. A forceful person will move them off , or a less inclined will point out that they have used that seat daily since the year dot., “do you mind” Some of those who used that chair later in the day would not wish to use it when it is vacant. Had they seen the previous occupant.

    Each pub has its own Personality, that makes the user feel at home.

    We can put up with a lot, but not a Pub with NO beer.

  3. Lesley Swales says:

    My dad was born at 6 Canal Street, Camberwell, in 1933. I presume it was one of the many casualties of WW2 as I cannot see any houses there on Google Earth. Does anyone have any photos of that street? Dad died last week, and we are all devastated by his loss. He lived in Yorkshire for over 60 years and so we didn’t get much of an insight into where he was born and grew up. His family moved all around the Camberwell area, Thornton Heath, Peckham and Croydon being some of the places he mentioned over the years. It would be good to find out a little bit more of the London he knew as a child.

  4. computedshorty says:

    Canal street can be seen on Southwark Council site under 1952

  5. computedshorty says:

    I have the Battle of South London document by Arthur L. Woolf, published by Crystal Publications.

    First picture on page four is a picture of men carrying a stretcher, I have consulted my wife who confirms that the man in the front is my father, who was a Warden attached to East Dulwich Library.

    The bottom picture shows the damaged caused by the Flying Bomb, to Lordship Lane / Townley Road, the lamp post was the tram stop with a sign fitted to it.

    Here was the Doctors Surgery.

    As I remember the rooms were on the left, First room was Dr Hunter’s Consulting Room the second the Waiting Room further down the passage was Doctor Pitman’s Consulting Room.

    This happened about a dozen houses from where I sheltered at home that night, the registered time of the Flying Bomb dropped was 5 A.M.

    Looking at the recorded list of casualties it states that there was one fatality, the report by Mr Woolf states that the Dispenser was badly injured, I wonder if she lived on the premises, as it was so early in the day for her to be there 5 A.M. )

    • Beryl Chandler says:

      I remember the doctors in Townley Road. Dr.Pitman delivered my brother.

      When he retired we had Dr Hale.

      Also, looking at your other post, I was great friends with the youngest daughter of two officers in the Salvation Army who worked at the college on Denmark hill.

      Going back further, one of my great grandfather’s nieces worked as a nursing sister at Kings College Hospital during WWI. Going back further still, one of my 2 x great grandfather’s nieces and her husband and three of their daughters and their husbands lived in Colwell road from the beginning of 1900’s, previously living in Uplands Road for nearly 20 years.

    • Trevor Dunn says:

      Dear Computedshorty,
      Reply only 5 years late. I have just stumbled across your post. My mum Ida Fletcher (b1930 – 2012) attended Dulwich Hamlet School and grew up at 222A Lordship Lane, which would have been very close to where the flying bomb landed on the corner of Townley Road. I would love to see the picture referred above. I am researching the family tree with particular interest in the context of her childhood during wartime. I know that she was evacuated to Kent for a while. I recall taking a picture of the family home in 1999 and noticed that there is a spare site between the house and the bus stop (still is according to google earth). Wondering if this is a remnant bomb damaged site? Mum’s mum, Ivy, died in 1956 and my mother emigrated to Australia later that year then settled in Perth which is where I live. My ability to track detail is a bit limited from here.

      Kind regards

      Trevor Dunn
      Perth, Western Australia

  6. Angela Godfrey Maher says:

    Hi I am interested in Camberwell as my great grandparents lived there , was there by any chance a Mansion there because I heard my Grandmother talking about it as her father in law worked with horses there , she married a British soldier in Dublin , the only surnames are Postans who married his wife whose surname was Bellinger. I am not asking you to research it or anything just did anyone know of such a place .I am a recurrent visitor to London as I am starting to do a Family Tree . Thanks Angela .

    • John Chinery says:

      Hi Angela, The only Mansion I know is Belair Mansion in Dulwich, Camberwell is about 3 or 4 miles from Dulwich, it is quite possible your Grandmother’s Father in Law worked there, I would Imagine Belair Mansion had Horses and they could have quite easily travelled to Camberwell by Horse or a Coach & Horses, it also could have been Bessemer House on Denmark Hill, which is in the Camberwell area, here is a link you might like to try, http://www.ideal-homes.org.uk/southwark/assets/histories/camberwell sorry I couldn’t be more hepful

      Good Luck Angela
      Best Wishes, John

    • David says:

      Evelina Mansions in Camberwell ? My Dad was born there. Maybe that is what you are looking for ?

  7. Snowli says:

    I lived in Underhill Road until 1963 and went to school at Friern Road and Goodrich Road. Are these schools still in existence?

    • John Chinery says:

      I think Friern Road is now an Academy, not sure about Goodrich Road, I would imagine the building is still there. Which part of Underhill Road did you live in ? I lived in one of the Prefabs in Underhill Road, junction of Friern Road,I moved from there in 1967 due to damp, we moved to a new house in East Dulwich Road. There are two Prefabs still standing in Underhill Road, amazing really when they were only built to last ten years. If you have any photos/memories of your time in East Dulwich and you could share them, it would be great to have them on this site

      • Snowli says:

        Sorry have not any photos only wish I did .We lived 173 underhill road on the corner of Hillcourt we lived there for 15years .Thank you for the information ,does anyone remember the muffin man who used to come round every Sunday afternoon ringing his bell ?they were good days .Thank you again.

        • Snowli says:

          Also does anybody remember the fun fair that used to come every year on Peckham park does it still come every year ? Thank you .

          • John Chinery says:

            I remember it rained for most of the time it was there. Don’t know if still comes to the park, I doubt it, I loved going on the bumper cars, I went on the “Rocket” once, they used to put a leather belt around your waist and slam it shut in the door (that was your seat belt) then up and down it went turning you upside down, everytime it reached the top all my loose change fell out of my pockets, it was great walking through the fair with music blasting out, I don’t know if anybody remembers the little fair that was down Rye Lane, it was under the railway bridge at the side of C & A, great times

          • colleen Wilson says:

            I believe it was Wilsons funfair which was in the same area as the open air pool.That would have been in the forties and fifties as I remember.

    • Jackie Kelsey says:

      I have only just joined this site and saw your questions and just wanted to say i went to Friern Road school from the age of 5. I was born in 1948 and my Grandmother Ada Lampard was a school cook there for a number of years and i have a lovely group photo of the her and the cooks she worked with. We lived with her and my Grandfather until i was nearly 9. We lived at number 1 Balchier Road off Dunstans Road. My father was born in this little two up two down in 1921, i was born in Dulwich hospital but my sister and brother were born in this lovely little house too by the very busy midwife Nurse Gillespie. Friern is no longer there as a school and I have a really nice photo of my father Richard Lampard aged about 9 or 10 outside Goodrich with his school cap on and the Goodrich Road tie. The badge on the cap was an Eagle. I visit Balchier Road once or twice a year and only went two weeks ago as my cousin couldnt remember where our grandparents lived. My best friend i grew up with there was Donald Huckstep who lived just opposite and they were very happy days. My Great Grandparents lived in Herne Grove altered to Dunstans Grove. My grandfather was born in the house they lived in which was called Speldhurst Villa which was 4 Herne Grove. My Great Uncle Richard lived at 126 Dunstans Road not far from Goodrich in the 1920`s. Very happy days.

      • Snowli says:

        Hello Jackie, I have just seen your message, it’s very funny as I went to Friern School from the age of 5yrs, l was born on Christmas Day 1946 in the flat in Underhill Road, my mum had Nurse Gillespie and Dr Nimow as well, they were very good days, we moved in 1963 when I left school, Goodrich School, I am afraid I do not have any photos which is sad.

      • Malcolm Beck says:

        Hi Jackie Nurse Gillespie delivered me in the basement of 78 Crystal Palace Road in March 1954!! We later moved to 73 Upland Road and our garden backed on to Friern Road Girls School
        we used to have an apple tree and i used to sit on the wall and throw the apples for the girls to catch and eat. My Nan and Granddad had a sweet shop called Chappel’s just down the road in upland road! Cheers Malc x

  8. Snowli says:

    Yes they were good times, as you said it used to rain most of the time but we still enjoyed it, don’t remember the small fair in Peckham but do remember Jones and Higgins was a very big shop, I remember buying a chamber for my mum and having to take it on the bus to Dulwich.

    • Jackie Kelsey says:

      My Grandmother who was a school cook at Friern Road as i mentioned before also worked as a Silver Service Waitress in Jones and Higgins and again i have a lovely old photo of her and her sister, my Great Aunt Edith who worked there too.

  9. Michelle says:

    Hi does anyone have any information on tigers yard Camberwell se5 from 1919 to about 1934. there is a pic on flicka With some of the residents in tigers yard would love to know who they are
    Many thanks

  10. Leonie Beattie says:

    I have been searching for information about Mansion St for ages because my grandparents lived there during the 1920’s & 30’s and am keen to see any pictures that may still exist. I understand it was demolished sometime in the 1960’s but am still hopeful. My family was named Barnes and we are trying to research as much as we can for the next generation your website is very interesting an gives us a great background about life in Camberwell. I now live in Australia so any research is all online I look forward to any info kind regards Leonie

    • Dave Barnes says:

      Hi my name is Betty Barnes (93) and I’m with my son Dave hoping our family has some connection with yours. I was born in Picton Street, Camberwell in 1921 and married George Barnes in 1941. He was born in 1919 in Lant Street, Camberwell and had a large Barnes family all living in the area. If you could send your email adress to my daughter at margaret.lyons@ntlworld.com who has researched some of our family tree we will see if there is any connection.

      Betty Barnes

  11. Anthony Hoare says:

    Hi does anybody know anything of 84 Lothian Rd, my great Grandfather J Hoare owned a shoe repair shop there in the 20’s and 30’s. I have a picture of the shop with the address but nothing else.
    Anything on this would be of great help

    Many Thanks

    Anthony Hoare

  12. Mrs Viera Rudkins says:

    I was born and lived in East Dulwich until I married in 1958.
    My father had a green grocers shop in Underhill Road, known as Hastings the greengrocers. He was known as Harry Hastings.
    I went to Friern Road School, and then to the Camberwell School of Arts & Crafts, when I was nearly 13 Years old.
    I would love to hear from anyone that might have known, me or my family.
    I would be happy to share memories with them.

  13. Florence Squibb says:

    Would love to hear from anyone that remembers the Scotcher or Cross that lived in Banstead Road Peckham in the early 1900 My father was Albert Scotcher born 1906 came from a large family mother was Elizabeth and father went by the name Scotcher or Cross

  14. Susan Brady says:

    My Grandparents had Wheatleys corn chandlers 51 North Cross Road East Dulwich, until around 1958 it became a record shop and then a bakers. My parents owned the carpet and hardware shop next door number 49 until the mid 1970’s. I lived in East Dulwich until the 80’s

  15. Hazlewood says:

    Hi, does anybody know of a Leslie Claremont – chemist in 1960?? he lived at 94 East Dulwich Road with his daugher – thanks

  16. David Barnbrook says:

    My Father Charles John Barnbrook lived in Evalina Mansions in Camberwell. His family later moved to 49 / 109 Sunray Avenue in Dulwich. Dad had a brother named Fred and sister Ethel. I would love to think that somebody has memories of them.

  17. jimmy richardson says:

    does anyone remember Jackie Curtis who used to live at 7 oswyth road Camberwell in 1955 and if so know of her whereabouts. she was my girl friend.

  18. Nee June adkins says:

    Does anyone remember in Camberwell Road Frank and Hetty Adkins who lived above Woods the Tobacconists near the Nags Head Pub, would be grateful for any replies

  19. Ruth dean says:

    Hello viera

    I believe we are related .
    My grandad George Hastings brother of harry hastings.
    My mum Gillian Hastings often worked in the shop for harry & aunt beat .
    I’d love to know more about the family .

    • Hi Ruth, I remember your mum Gillian we used to play together at St Johns and St Clement’s school. My name was Elizabeth Matthews now French. Did she live in Landells Rd.
      I lived at Crystal Palace rd.
      Regards Liz

  20. Ali Mason says:

    Hi
    My late Dad was born in Kings College Hospital in 1936 and lived in Harbour Rd, Camberwell and also Conderton Road. During the blitz he used to shelter in the public shelter in Ruskin Park (anyone recall it?). He always told us that Conderton Road was bombed out so his family moved to Feltham but the archive records showed no bomb damage to Conderton Road ?? Harbour Road was hit though.

    Ring any bells with anyone ?

    Ali

  21. Pauline Goldsborough says:

    I was born at 114 Crystal Palace Road, lived at 124 with my grandparents, their name was Skingley, then at 112 with my parents, their name was Matthews. I married in 1956 I am now Pauline Goldsborough. I remember all those places and shops in East Dulwich.

    I then moved to a flat with my husband at 105. I went to St Johns Primary school in North Cross Road, then to Thomas Calton in Goodrich Road. I remember all the shops in Rye Lane Peckham, the fun fair every summer on the “Rye. I have an old photo of the Street party in Crystal Palace Road. I remember all the people who lived there. My mother worked in Aneloys in Upland Road for many years. My father worked at Pecrys in Deptford after leaving the army. My parents always lived in Crystal Palace Road.

    What amazing memories I have of Crystal Palace Road & my friends & neighbours there. My mother worked at a place I think was called Elephant & Chemical in Neate Street, Peckham, I remember her being late & sheltering in a place on Peckham Rye when the siren went off. I was living with and cared for by my Grandparents, Ernest & Daisy Skingley, Now it is an “upmarket” place to live. I did have a look round last year with my son, we started off in Chesterfield Road as I lived there with my parents at No 36 before my father was called up. I would have been about 2 years old then. I would love to hear other people’s memories of the area.

  22. billy dodd says:

    Does anybody know of William Penn Secondary Modern School ? I went there in 1953, I was born in Northern Ireland, went to Oliver Goldsmith School in 1947, I returned home to Northern Ireland in 1954, also I was in 64th London Boys Brigade.

    • Peter Baker says:

      Hello Billy, I was there too from 1953 to 1956. Perhaps we were in the same class? My teacher was Mr Rothman who arrived every morning driving a black Morris Minor. Also I remember Mr Geen the music teacher who took us on a school trip to Gersau in Switzerland. I’d never been abroad before, I thought it was fantastic. Not forgetting Mr Dyer the maths teacher. I’ve just remembered a Mr Moffat the geography teacher who also organised the army cadets of which I was a member. Do you remember any of these names?

      • billly dodd says:

        Hi Peter, I was in class ICI only for 1 year, I remember Mr Harris (PE Teacher) Mr Davis & Mr Asher. I remember that the roof leaked in warm weather it dripped into a bucket in Gym

        • Peter Baker says:

          Hi Billy, great to know someone else like me attended William Penn all those years ago in the 1950’s. I remember Mr Harris the PE teacher, Mr Asher was the art teacher if I remember correctly. Can’t remember the subject Mr Davis did but can recall the name. My best mate at the school was a boy called Colin Perraton (think that’s how he spelt it). Never saw him again after leaving in 1956. By chance would you have known him.

          • john Dinley says:

            Hello Peter and Billy I too went to William Penn from 1953 to 1958. My teacher in class 1g was a Mr Bartlett. I do remember a Mr Harris the PE teacher who drove a small sports car which he left parked in a corner of the playground. I well remember Mr Asher a small man with a very loud voice! I have only met 1 old boy from my class and that was at the channel 5 tv studios where he was in charge of transmission engineering.

    • Colin Day says:

      Hi Billy I was at William Pen from 1949 until 1953. When I went there the school was called Peckham Secondary but changed its name while I was there. The school was split between two sites Adys Road East Dulwich for the 11 to 13 years and Chumert Road Peckham for 13 to 15 year olds. I use to get to Adys Road by the 184 tram from Camberwell Road and the 12 bus to Chumert Road.
      I do remember my class was 1M1 up to 4M1. I also remember Mr Davies and also Mr Harris

      • Brian Mann (akaMiddleton says:

        What a small world . I left Choumert Road in 1952 Form teacher Mr Light but also Remember well Mr Harris Mr Asher, Mr Speake,
        Mr Pipe was headmaster at Choumert Rd and Mr Brown at Adys Rd. where we had “Ewells” the tuck shop opposite the school.
        My good friends were Derek Smith, Alan Smith (a good swimmer). George Day( good footballer). Freddy Robson, John Everit was school captain and Freddie Steers (great boxer)
        Mr nickname in the class was “Midge” short for Middleton. Which was my stepfathers surname
        Sadly I never saw any of them again due to location I suppose and the fact that going to work was our next move followed by Nat Service. Now approaching 86 it would be great to know if anyone else from that era is still alive. There were so many other lads, friends spread over the five years spent over the two schools. Another great teacher, Mr Nickolas, French master. As well as PE Mr Davies main subject was Tech Drawing, he also ran the school football team Great days and a great school

      • Brian Mann. aka ( “Midge”) says:

        Hi Colin, at 85 I have just found this site, I left went to both schools but left in ‘52. One of my best friends was George Day, any relation, he was a great mate

  23. Joe Syer says:

    I went to dulwich hamlet too.. From 1975-1981 and I lived in 43 turney rd and the house with the balcony by north dulwich station red post hill.. At school I remember the teachers Mr and Mrs phellps Mr Holmes Mr dartnell headmaster junior and miss ward head mistress infants.. Mrs baldelli who was vile, Mrs vernon, Mrs porter? French teacher, might have her name wrong.. And Mrs Francis .. I remember playing marbles on the drains and clearing up the sainsburys field for a can of coke..my grandma was the worked in Ruskin park in the playground .. I’d love to live back in dulwich but sadly too expensive there now x

    • Marianne says:

      Hi Joe. I also went to Dulwich Hamlet school – in the 60s, and I remember all the teachers you mention as well as Mrs Selvum Holly – remember her? Maybe it was too early for you. I went to school with Julian Watkins, Malcolm Marriott, Debbie Rawlins, Storm Nelson, to name but a few.

    • John says:

      I was searching against Dulwich Hamlet and came across this post. I went to the infant and junior schools and was in Mr. Holmes class (3Ho and 4Ho). I was also in Mrs Gibbs class (2G). First year was in Mrs Twi’s (?) class (1T). Mr Dartnell was the Headmaster and I remember having French lessons with Mrs Porter. I also remember Mrs Reeks – weekly singing lessons (Hearts of Oak, Men of Harlech – not sure you’d get away with that now 🙂 ). Great school and great education. Dulwich used to be affordable back in the day. Now, well…. Great to come across your post

  24. billly dodd says:

    Was William Penn Boys Schoool ever in Adys Road ? or where Peckham Central site was, I would just like to know where it was.

    • Peter Baker says:

      Hi Billy, yes William Penn Boys school was in Adys Road for pupils in years 1 and 2. Also for year 3 and 4 pupils we moved to the other building not far away in Choumert Road. I am an ex pupil of both schools. I’ve just checked on Google maps street view and both buildings still exist but not as William Penn school anymore. Looking at Google maps street view photos both buildings look exactly as they did when I started at the school aged 12.

    • cliff says:

      Hi, I feel like an interloper. I was born in NW London and we emigrated South to Peckham and Camberwell in 1958. My Mum was born in Kitson Road (I don t know the number) her maiden name was Smith. My Dad was born in Nunhead. I went to William Penn, Choumert Road, in 1959. The next year it moved to North Dulwich. Big Glass building in Red Post Hill. Yes the lower juniors were at Adys Road, you were right in that regard. Cliff Bowley

    • cliff bowley says:

      HI, I came from Edgware NW London in 1958 and went to William Penn school in Choumert road Peckham. 3rd,4th and 5th years. but 1st and 2nd yrs went to a school in Adys Road East dulwich. The next year 1959 we moved to a brand new school in Red Post Hill Dulwich there were over 1000 pupils in that comprehensive school

  25. billly dodd says:

    Hi Peter, Did you ever live in Southampton Way ?

    • Peter Baker says:

      Hi Billy, I didn’t live in Southampton Way but I remember where it is. I lived in Coldhabour Lane, Camberwell Green. Do you remember the Odeon Cinema at the beginning of Coldharbour Lane? I lived opposite the cinema.

    • Brian Mann aka Middleton says:

      Hi Billy, your name rings a bell in the “memory fog” of over 70 years. Where in Southampton way did you live, I lived the Camberwell end at number 21 very near the Two Brewers pub, not there anymore.

      • Patricia Moore says:

        I have just come across this site
        I use to live on the Elmington estate, and my family “Harris” used the Two brewers pub, my uncle had a jellied eel stall outside the pub,
        Happy days
        Pat Moore [ nee Harris}

  26. billly dodd says:

    Hi Peter, I remember the cinema, The trams lines done in the road, and there were no overhead cables. There was a Cinema near Camberwell Green which was between the shops, and it was dimly lit.

  27. Peter Baker says:

    Hi Billy, that cinema was the local ‘flea pit’ I remember it well. Like you said between the shops in Camberwell Green. It was called the Golden Domes, always very dimly lit and grubby/smelly inside. The Odeon and the ABC in Walworth Road were much better. I always went there. Though I do remember there was another cinema just around the corner from the Golden Domes called the Rex and that was in a much worse condition than the Golden Domes! Near to the school there was a small Odeon cinema at Goose Green. I used to go there too.

    • Peter Baker says:

      Just realised Billy I made a mistake yesterday, I said the cinema was called The Rex. That was wrong it was called The Grand. Truth is there was nothing grand about it!!

  28. Ann Turner says:

    Hello I was born at 36 chesterfield grove 1957. I remember the back garden, but only by pictures. my parents names were Michael and Christina Piggott. moved to Ireland about 1959.

  29. billy dodd says:

    After 60+ years I have returned to London on holiday, I spent a day visiting Camberwell and Peckham, I’ve seen Oliver Goldsmith, my old Primary School, then to Adys Road to see William Penn School, it has not changed, I asked at the reception does the roof still leak, I was told it does, I went to Peckham Rye, played football there, went down Rye Lane, what a change, Jones and Higgins gone, no J.Lyons, ABC, Cafe, Cinema, all gone, it looked run down, so many different nationalalities. Does anyone remember the speedway at New Cross, next to Millwall FC, New Cross Rangers they were called, and one rider I recall was Bert Rodgers.

    • Brian Mann says:

      Hi again Billy, remember well the New Cross Dogs, only ever went there once and won £2 on a dog called “Grey Tick”, don’t know why I should temper it so well, probably because of the £2, more than my wages at the time
      Also remember Millwall at their old Cold Blow Lane ground, I had a trial there under the manager Charlie Hewitt at the time

  30. Charlie Fox says:

    Hello Everyone,

    My name is Charlie Fox, and I lived in Loder Street, Peckham, just off the Old Kent Road, where it meets New Cross Road. I went to Kender Street Primary School from 1951 to 1957, and then to William Penn Grammer at Goose Green, then it moved to Red Post Hill and was in Goldsmith House. I simply love my Peckham roots, and am very proud of having lived there with such nice people. I have four Sisters Dot, Carol,Jenny, and Karen. The community spirit was great, and looking back how lucky we were to have such great people as the Postman, Corona Man,the Baker, the Coleman, whom delivered everything with a smile and knowledge of your family. My wife Pamela ( formerly Pamela Gee, from East Dulwich), and I recently went back for a trip down memory lane, and although Peckham has changed in its appearance, we still found the people very friendly, with a terrific buzz everywhere! If anyone knows me or Pam we would love to hear from you? Best wishes to all in Peckham, Charlie & Pam Fox

    • cliff says:

      Hi Charlie, The period in time you are talking about was the end of the 1950`s, I remember all you said as though it was yesterday, and guess that my uncle, Ron Bowley, was a Baker for most of South East London. He had two shops, one in Deptford and one in Vestry Road, Camberwell, where the crossroads at the junction passed the park. Does any body remember those lovely hot crusty loaves?

    • Hazel says:

      Hello, I was a friend of Pam’s, she lived on the road leading up to St Francis Hospital and I remember she had an older brother. Give her my best wishes, Hazel Funnell (maiden name). I lived in Melbourne Grove

  31. June Palumbo says:

    Not sure if anyone can help me. I’m searching for Marjorie and David T Lewis. They Lived at 39 Dulwich Wood Ave, Camberwell, Dulwich, in 1960 -1963.

  32. Michael Mills says:

    Hi, This comment is to Jackie Kelsey.

    Hi Jackie, I knew Herne Grove (later changed to Dunstan’s Grove), where your Great Grandparents lived at number 4. My Grandmother, Mrs. M. Smith, lived at number 16. Next door, at number 14. lived another ‘Smith’ family; Mr. Smith the local policeman, and his two daughters, Barbara and Lilian.

    You probably know that 4. Herne Grove was demolished years’ ago and that a small block of flats now stand in its place.

    All the best, Mike Mills

  33. Donna Rogers ne Ralph says:

    Just came across this site. I lived in Waterloo Square ,Lomond Grove , Camberwell until it was demolished and then moved to the Sceaux Gardens Estate, Havil Street in the 1960s. I went to St Joseph’s Primary School in Pitman Street, just like my grandmother and father before me. I remember the girls played on the roof, and the boys played in the playground. I remember Mr Lee as a form teacher who was keen to teach us Gilbert and Sullivan songs, and Miss Colman who inspired us to write plays and poems and try to produce watercolours. As a prize for doing well at school she took three of us in class on a trip to Epping Forest on a picnic long before the days of health and safety etc. Near the school gate was a sweet shop where you could buy sachets of flavouring to put into your milk at break time. Milk was in bottles and if you had a penny you could buy a sticky current bun.
    In Wyndham road by the zebra crossing was another sweet shop that sold tiger nuts, Spanish tobacco ( coconut strands), pink shrimps, white chocolate mice and lots of penny sweets. I believe the shop was owned by the mother of the Richardson’s.
    I used to go to dancing lessons on Saturday morning in a room upstairs in the Father Redcap Pub, which was on Camberwell green.
    Also between Camberwell Green and Lomond Grove there was a small street full of shops and market stalls. A florist, haberdasher where you could buy clothes buy weekly payments, Richards the butcher, Caters the grocers, Potters the sweet shop that sold home made ice cream, and a wet fish stall. The stalls sold fruit and veg, including potatoes by weight.
    I remember the ABC in walworth road had Saturday morning pictures for 6d all morning, and kids used to grind their coins on the wall while they waited. Along from there was a surgery, with Dr Clarke Jones in attendance, and next to that a pub.
    Lots more memories of the general area.

    • John Chinery says:

      Hi Donna, Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful memories, if you have any more it would be great to have them on here, also if you have any photos of the area back then or any school photos along with memories would also be great, I set up this website for anyone that might be interested and I am trying to build up a history of Camberwell, East Dulwich, Peckham and the surrounding areas, before it is all lost, any help from good people like yourself willing to share their memories & photos is much appreciated. Many thanks again Donna, Best Wishes, John Chinery

    • Patricia Moore says:

      My name is Patricia Moore, Nee Harris
      I lived in Hollington Street Camberwell and went to St Josephs school, I started there aged 5 in 1950, and then onto the Sacred heart School in Camberwell New Road. we were rehoused in 1957 to the Elmington Estate , I use to go to the Saturday morning pictures at the Regal cinema, the pub near to the cinema
      was The Nags head, The sweet shop was in Wyndham Road, and called Allen’s they were the grandparents of the Richardson gang. I remember Waterloo Buildings and the market was in Waterloo street
      The shop near St Josephs school use to sell the kids cigarettes for tuppence,
      In my days the school playground on the roof was for the boys, We had outside toilets that always had spiders in there, I left school in 1960 so a little older than you, My brother still lives in Camberwell , just off Lomond Grove

      Happy days

  34. Pat Pullen says:

    Hi, trying to find John Rogers, from around the Peckham area. He would have been born around 1947ish and worked as a petrol station attendant around 1963/64. He used to have a Lambretta scooter.

  35. Liz Norris says:

    My late husband Barry Norris, attended William Penn School and I wish he had seen this page before he died as I am sure he would have enjoyed sharing the memories. He was born in 1944 so would have been there probably from about 1955.
    I don’t know his address at that time but I know they lived in a prefab but later moved to Rotherhithe as his father worked for the gas board and they got a house from them.

    • John Chinery says:

      Hi Liz, So sorry for your loss…….thank you for posting these memories, much appreciated.

      Kind Regards
      John Chinery

  36. Malcolm Place says:

    What a gem of history. I lived in Lordship Lane from 1947. First at 408 which is now a big block of flats and then at 463a. I attended Goodrich Road school and then Dulwich Hamlet. My family had a Bakery business known as Place Bakeries, which had shops in Sydenham, Deptford, Forest Hill and four shops along Lordship Lane. I recall helping in the cake bakehouse at 513 on a Saturday morning and helpping to deliver the bread and cakes to clubs and shops in one of our old Ford 8 vans. My family also had some veteran cars and we drove in the London to Brighton run for 17 years. Fond memories.
    We knew Reg Vero and I bought my first crash helmet from him. I recall taking my box cart to Peckham park, starting from the upland road end and running all through the paths to Peckham common which involved skooting through the mens toilets. I made a go cart with a BSA Bantum engine and taught some of the local lads how to drive up and down an unmade road at the back of our house called Mount Aiden Park. There was an old lady at the far end who complained to the police about the noise and they came round on their Noddy bikes, but I had returned to our back yard by the time that they appeared.
    Fond memories John and a big thankyou for initiating this site.

    • John Chinery says:

      Thank you for your wonderful memories Malcolm, any new memories, photos, etc is very much appreciated, I created this site for anyone that might be interested and for anyone like your good self that could help add something new before all these wonderful memories are lost forever, thank you Malcolm.

    • Bill Banks says:

      Hi Macolm you say you lived 408 Lordship Lane, just an off chance, did you know Doreen & Jean Abbott lived at number 400, been trying to contact them for about 30 years.

    • Hi Malcolm,
      I don’t know how long you lived in Lordship Lane but would you know who lived above Place Bakers near the Plough Pub or the ones further up the Lane. Thanks Liz French

    • Hi Malcolm, you said your family had the Place Bakeries bake house at 513 Lordship Lane would you know who lived above in the flat around 1964 I can’t remember the lady’s name but I think she had evening classes in cake making and decorating, I’m trying to find out her name. Thanks Liz

  37. Colin Fox says:

    Hi, my name is Colin Fox I lived in Benhill Road Camberwell and attended Brunswick Park School until around 1953 when I moved to the Dog Kennel Hill Estate in East Dulwich. I attended Dog Kennel Hill primary School from 1953 to 1958 then went to William Penn Comprehensive at Red Post Hill. I remember some of the teachers mentioned above, the music teacher Mr Geen, Maths teacher Mr Dyer and PE teacher Mr Harris who was John Harris, he was often seen on TV as an MC for the wrestling on Saturday afternoon. Really good to read all of the above.

  38. Keith Icombe says:

    Hi, my name is Keith Icombe and I came across this website while looking for a guy that I grew up with in Camberwell. I lived on Grove Hill Rd from 1952 until around 1969 when my parents moved to Enfield. I was born in Kings College hospital and attended Dog Kennel Hill primary school from 1957 until 1963 and then Alleyns until 1968.
    I moved to the States in 1977 on a job transfer and stayed. I now live in Northern California.
    Does anyone know Dave Holley? He lived in the flats on Dog Kennel Hill and had 2 sisters – one was Ann.

  39. Charlotte Levi says:

    Hi, I just wondered if anyone had any information on the McLeod’s they lived at Kings Grove around 1946-1960’s they were part of my dad’s family

    • John Chinery says:

      Hi Charlotte, So sorry but I can’t help you, I don’t have any information on your Dads family, have you tried Southwark Social Studies Library ? They may be able to help you or advise you, sorry I could’nt be more helpful.

      Kind Regards
      John

  40. Bill Banks says:

    Hi Donna you have a good memory naming those shops, i can only remember Kembers the Chemist, and what was the name of the other Pub by the stalls, was it the Forresters. We lived in Waterloo Square through the 1950s and moved to Nunhead when they pulled the square down, we lived ground floor opposite the gate, just accross from us was Joan Stacey, then there were Pauline and Scats Gordon who`s Dad had a newspaper pitch somewhere. I do remember my Dad getting a couple of old photo`s one of Camberwell Green there were not a lot there and the Bank on corner was made of wood, and one of Rye Lane Peckham it was just a country lane all trees. Thank you for the memories.

  41. Albert Bishop says:

    Hello all you old William Penners.I Lived in Commercial Way Peckham and went to Peckham Park primary school.I went on to William Penn in 1952 it was one of there first comprehensive schools in London at the time, starting at Adys Road. The school was streamed into different forms 2 grammar 1 commerce 1 engerneering 1 printing 1 social 1 retail and 4 manuel.I was in 1G2 Mr Hoskins was the form master a very nice man and Dr Littlejohns was deputy headmaster.I went on to Choumert Road in 1954 and joined the commerce class under Mr Williams another nice man.George Dennis was headmaster. I played football for the school and no matter what the weather was like he would be on the touch line supporting us.By this time Dr Littlejohns had left and been replaced by Mr Busby who without fail would cane a boy in front of the school when he took Wednesday morning assembly. Mr John Harris was PE teacher and became a compare on Saturday TV wrestling programme. I believe he moved to Spain and died in 2007. I was 80 in August 21 and hope someone out there may remember me I would love to hear from them.

    London

  42. peter kennedy says:

    Hi Albert
    I was at William Penn the same time as you were and in the G classes.
    I never made the football team but played Chess for the school one time with a friend named Johnny Moore who lived in the Flats opposite Queens Road bus garage. We had House teams if my memory serves me well like Drake and Nelson or was it just Yellow Red Blue and Gree,n I was in Mr. Dyer’s class who taught maths.
    Others in my class were Neary, Cartwright, Baderick, and Phillips.
    Unfortunately ( perhaps) we were a boy’s school so the only opportunity to contact girls in my area ( Asylum road) was through Friends Reunited.
    Friends Reunited used the ABC street Directory of London but as many streets in London were ( around my area) were pulled down along with their houses contacting
    many old friends became impossible,
    Asylum Road also led to Old Kent roads which meant going to Millwall and Speedway was a regular event.
    I know live in Camberley!!

  43. Lesley Berry says:

    Lovely reading about all these memories and ringing so many bells with me. In 1953 I lived at Cross Court right opposite Freddy Mills and then I started at Bessemer Grange School with a Mrs Strudwick. In 1956 we moved back to Dulwich-and Dulwich Hamlet School. I remember the teachers mentioned- Mr Goddard, Mr Holmes, Mrs Reeks, Mrs Apps, Mrs Harrop and Mr Barraball . Also the scary Mrs Pond. I was lucky enough to be chosen as mayqueen in 1957 and remember dancing round the maypole- but heaven forbid, not during the crowning ceremony. Later I went to Mary Datchelor in Camberwell. Definitely not a high flier, but so grateful for the education I received there.
    Became a teacher and have lived in Hampshire for 50 years, but still think of Dulwich as my home. My maiden name was Bromfield.

  44. Michael (Mick) Cooper says:

    Hello everyone, just came across this site. I used to live in a flat at the Camberwell end of Coldharbour Lane, from 1946-1955, a couple of doors along from the Odeon. As a child I could look out at the tram interchange at the junction with Denmark Hill. I went to Crawford Primary School.

    Does anyone remember the the fun-fair, (or was it a circus?), that used to come once year and set up on the waste ground (bomb site I think) on the other side of Coldharbour Lane, (I think between Crawford Road and Louth Road)? Later on, I was to return to the area to go to Alleyns in Townley Road Dulwich.

  45. Colin Wright says:

    Goodness me , some memories here ! I recall most of the shops , schools and roads,
    if not the participants. I lived in Blanchedowne around 1960, went to Bessemer and WP.
    Colin Fox, if you revisit, Alan Bain is well and living in Wiltshire. I recall the teachers at WP , but alas many had a very dark side.
    I delivered groceries for the Co-op when 15, Freddie Mills was a customer , always have gave me 2 shillings and sixpence tip .Acid drops , wigwams and jublies from Goodwins
    Colin Wright

  46. John Bown says:

    I lived at 7 Whateley Rd from 1938 to 1960 Many memories on this site so I thought I would share some of my. Before betting shops became legal a Mr Butterworth ran illegal street book on the steps of the three storey house in Whateley Rd just up from Lordship Lane. He opened the first betting shop in East Dulwich sited in Lordship Lane and called it “Bucks”. This came about from the fact that his profoundly deaf daughter could only pronounce their surname as Buckerwoth. Maybe another almost forgotten memory of the wonderful East Dulwich

  47. Peter Chapman says:

    I was at William Penn from 1953. My form teacher was Mr Green the music teacher. He had this habit of coming up behind you and if he felt you were not listening to what he was saying he would give you a little tap on the head with his bunch of keys. But overall he was a good and kind man

  48. Richard Elmes says:

    Hi all East Dulwich folks. Just found this site and thoroughly enjoyed reading all the posts. I was born in East Dulwich in 1955 and lived at number 60, Glengarry Road. I went to school at Dulwich Hamlet infant school and then the junior school until 1966. And then went to Wilson’s Grammar School in Camberwell Green until I was 18 just before the school moved from Camberwell Green to a site site in Surrey to avoid becoming a comprehensive school. I don’t remember many of the teachers from Dulwich Hamlet, but certainly Mrs Sylvum Holley – she had unusual glasses with, I think eyebrows at the top of the plastic frame! My teacher in the second and third years was a Mr Henry, who had a slight speech impediment and was quite a difficult man to get on with. The headmaster at the time was Stephen something. Perhaps Lewis? I remember Mrs Michel, Mrs Apps and Mrs Reeks and Mrs Harrap who took me in the fourth year from 1965 to 66. She was a very good all-round teacher with a good command for discipline and yet was very approachable and friendly. My years at wilson’s Grammar School largely uneventful. We obviously had a number of different teachers some good, some bad but in the main well able to keep good discipline. I’m particularly remember my French teachers as I went on to read French at university. In particular, I remember I Mr David P Swain, who was an outstanding teacher and full of encouragement for my studies. Sadly, I’ve been unable to track him down either through the Wilsons Grammar School website or through contemporary teachers whom I’ve managed to contact. If anyone reading this post has any information about Mr Swain, I will be delighted to get in touch with him after all these years.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *