At the toll-gate on the Lee-Eltham Road with Jean Gammons

Now it has been some time since I have included a story from my friend Jean and so here is a short piece on the toll-gate on the Lee-Eltham Road which was part of a talk she gave to the Eltham Society.

The toll-gate was much disliked by many who resented having to pay to travel on a road.

The companies of course who built them and maintained them argued you don't get anything for free and those who wanted to use these new and well kept  roads had to contribute to their upkeep

So  from the very start there had to be gates across the roads, with a gate keeper's house and clearly laid down charges.

Nor were these erected just at the start of a company's road but at junction with existing roads thereby preventing people from skipping a section and missing the toll.

“This is the toll-gate that used to be on the Lee-Eltham Road, near the junction with Umbridge Road.

This old toll-gate saw much activity in the days of the once famous Eltham Races at Middle Park.

The Eltham Races were the social event of the year and were visited by the young prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, and other members of the Royal Family.

It must have been like old times for Eltham.  Not since the great days of Eltham Palace had so many members of the Court visited our little country village.”

Picture; the toll-gate courtesy of Jean Gammons