Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ no.29 ....... almost done

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.

And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day, then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera, and the patience each week to record the same spot, and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus”.*

In the case of our new cinema, Larissa has been recording the story from before the old Co-op building came down, and has covered its demolition, the clearing of the site and the slow rise of the new picture house, our first for decades.

And here is her picture, taken on Saturday, with, “Final adjustments to the cinema”.

Location; Eltham

Pictures; the new cinema, 2019, from the collection Larissa Hamment

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ no.24 ....... the cinema

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.

Almost finished, 2018

And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day, then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera, and the patience each week to record the same spot, and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus”.*

In the case of our new cinema, Larissa has been recording the story from before the old Co-op building came down, and has covered its demolition, the clearing of the site and the slow rise of the new picture house, our first for decades.

Back in 2017

Now what I like about todays picture, is that amongst the early morning commuters, she has captured Greggs, open for business, poking out from the edge of the development.

Those, who like me left Eltham a long time ago, will be intrigued by the return of a picture house.

I remember all three from the ABC, to the Eltham Hill Gaumont which was the Odeon and of course my favourite, the one by the roundabout in Well Hall.

I have memories of what I went to see at each and which girl friend I accompanied too all of them.

 Eltham Cinema, 1913

But there was an earlier cinema which was on the corner of the High Street and Westmount Road.

It was opened in 1913 and demolished in 1968 which means I must have seen it countless times on my way to school at Crown Woods but even now it does not register with me.”

During the winter of 1913 had been around  I might well have decided to take myself off to where I could have seen epics like the Battle of Waterloo, stories drawn from great novels like Zola’s Germinal or melodramas loosely based on the Old Testament along with documentaries about nature, disasters at sea and much more.

The Battle of Waterloo, 1913

Its proprietor was a Mr Robert Frederick Bean who was listed in 1913 at 4 Everest Road.

A few years earlier he was in Brockley describing himself as a manufacturer’s agent for lace.

He was 31, had been married for three years and had two children and employed a nurse and a housemaid.

I wish I knew more about them but that is about it although they do seem to have moved around a bit living in Lewisham as well as Brockley and Eltham.

Before the new cinema, 2016

And Tricia had found out more, "it had 1 screen and seated 400  people. It was built in 1912 opened 1913 and closed 1937”.

So we have a rich inheritance of silver screens, which will soon be back.

Location; Eltham

Pictures; the new cinema, 2018, and earlier in 2016-7 from the collection Larissa Hamment, Eltham Cinema, courtesy of Thisiseltham, and screenshot from The Kinematograph Year Book, 1914,

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus


**Eltham's cinemas, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Eltham%27s%20Cinemas

***Thisiselatham, http://www.thisiseltham.co.uk/

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ no.23 ....... today at the cinema

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.

From the High Street, 2018

And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera, and the patience each week to record the same spot, and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus”.*

And we are now getting closer to that first performance of "Gone with the Wind" in Eltham since its premiere.

So, when it is all finished perhaps a trip down from the North for the grand opening.

From the car park, 2018

We shall see.

In the meantime I shall just say "look upon my works" you cinema goers and be prepared to be have some fun.

Location; Eltham





Pictures;  the site of the new cinema, 2018, from the collection of Larissa Hamment

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ no.22 ....... one step closer to that cinema

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.

Saturday, August 18, 2018

And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera and the patience each week to record the same spot and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus”.*

And we are now getting closer to that first performance of Gone with the Wind" in Eltham since its premiere.

So, when it is all finished perhaps a trip down from the North for the grand opening.

We shall see.

Location; Eltham

Pictures;  the site of the new cinema, 2018, from the collection of Larissa Hamment

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ no.21 ....... coming soon a cinema near you

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.

And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera and the patience each week to record the same spot and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus”.*

One step nearer to that first performance of Gone with the Wind" in Eltham since its premiere .

Pictures;  the site of the new cinema, 2018, from the collection of Larissa Hamment

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ no.20 ....... from a car park near you

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.

And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera and the patience each week to record the same spot and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus.”*

Although in this case it was the back of a car park, with Larissa explaining, "I took this snap of the back of what will be the new cinema from Sainsburys car park  this evening".

And for all those waiting to catch the first showing of Gone with the Wind" in Eltham since its premiere this has to be good news.

Pictures;  the site of the new cinema, 2018, from the collection of Larissa Hamment

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ no.19 ....... Friday morning

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.

And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera and the patience each week to record the same spot and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus.”*

And on this very warmish day it's good to see that work continues to turn the old Co-op site into the cinema.

I know there are some who bemoan the loss of our old picture houses, but they closed at a time when people had given up on going out to the "flicks".

But there remains something magical about sitting in the dark and seeing giant images of your screen heroes.

So I await the next progress report from Larissa who I thank for her continuing task of recording Eltham as it changes.

Location, Eltham, London


Pictures;  the site of the new cinema, 2018, from the collection of Larissa Hamment

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ no.18 .......

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.

And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera and the patience each week to record the same spot and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus.”*

And on this very warmish day it's good to see that work continues to turn the old Co-op site into the cinema.

I know there are some who bemoan the loss of our old picture houses, but they closed at a time when people had given up on going out to the "flicks".

But there remains something magical about sitting in the dark and seeing giant images of your screen heroes.

So I await the next progress report from Larissa who I thank for her continuing task of recording Eltham as it changes.

Location, Eltham, London

















Pictures;  the site of the new cinema, 2018, from the collection of Larissa Hamment

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ no.17 .......

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.

And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera and the patience each week to record the same spot and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus.”*

And on this very cold day it's good to see that work continues to turn the old Co-op site into the cinema.

I know there are some who bemoan the loss of our old picture houses, but they closed at a time when people had given up on going out to the "flicks".

But there remains something magical about sitting in the dark and seeing giant images of your screen heroes.

So I await the next progress report from Larissa who I thank for her continuing task of recording Eltham as it changes.

Location, Eltham, London

Pictures;  the site of the new cinema, 2017, from the collection of Larissa Hamment

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ nu 16 .......

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.
And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera and the patience each week to record the same spot and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus.”*

Yesterday she did us proud with two pictures of that pub on Court Yard and the comment,

“Morning Andrew, waiting to go to Woolwich & thought I'd get a nice shot of the old Crown pub, it's being developed but not sure what for.......”

Now nor do I, and while we could go to the planning portal of the Council to find out I won’t, given that I like surprises.

Added to which someone will know and tell us, along with lots of people who have fond memories of a night in the Crown, from those who called in after getting off the bus, to those celebrating Aunty Enid's going away party.

We shall see.

Location, Court Yard, Eltham, London

Pictures;  The Crown, 2017, from the collection of Larissa Hamment

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ nu 15 ....... looking up

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.

And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera and the patience each week to record the same spot.

It helps if there is a major new development underway like the one in the High Street and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus.”*

And today Larissa sent me this one.

Now what I particularly like about Larissa's project is the way it captures month by month the changes to our High Street.

"This is the Grove Market development opposite, they've got hoarding up so can't get a better one, (unless I'm quick when the bus comes..!) where Fads & the Midland Bank used to be."

So the beauty of the series is that you can look back and capture that past.

Location, Eltham High Street, Eltham, London

Pictures;  2017, from the collection of Larissa Hamment

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ nu 14 ....... Grove Market almost open for business

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.

Grove Market, 2017

And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera and the patience each week to record the same spot.

It helps if there is a major new development underway like the one in the High Street and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus.”*

Grove Market, 2013

And yesterday Larissa sent me this one with the comment, "This is the Grove Market development from Court Road, opposite the old Crown pub"

Now if like me you are longer in Eltham it’s good to get Larissa's updates.  I will always have a fond spot for the old Grove Market.

It wasn’t anything special, and pales into insignificance when set against modern shopping developments but for me back in the mid 1960s it stood for all that was modern, cool and stylish.

I opened my first bank account in the Midland Bank, ate burgers in the cafe round the corner, and later still picked up the odd pot of paint and roll of wall paper for Dad.

Court Road, circa 1900

So with that in mind I thought I would look back into the collection for earlier pictures of Grove Market.

Alas I don’t have any of it heyday and so have fallen back on one from Chrissie when the end had come and one from before there was even a market.

Location,  Eltham, London

Pictures;  The Grove Market Development,2017, from the collection of Larissa Hammen, Grove Market, December 5th, 2013 courtesy of Chrissie Rose and in the early 20th century from Eltham Through Time, courtesy of Kristina Bedford, 2013,

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ nu 13 ....... "quick snap of the Grove Market development..."

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.

And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera and the patience each week to record the same spot.

It helps if there is a major new development underway like the one in the High Street and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus.”*

And today Larissa sent me this one with the comment, "Quick snap of the Grove Market development...."

Now if like me you are longer in Eltham its good to get Larissa's updates.

I have to say I am not over keen on the new development which seems to dominate the area.
But then I guess there will be those who were unhappy when the old houses came down to make way for the shopping centre.

And it is one of those things that I just don't remember those houses, although we were in Well Hall just before the market was built.

All of which just leaves me to say I do like the half timbered property even though it probably not much older than me.

Location, Eltham High Street, Eltham, London








Pictures;  2017, from the collection of Larissa Hammen

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ nu 12 ....... "fresh off the iPhone ...the old co-op building"

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.

And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera and the patience each week to record the same spot.

It helps if there is a major new development underway like the one in the High Street and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus.”*

And today Larissa sent me this one with the comment "fresh off the iPhone ...the old co-op building."

So with the demise of the old Co-op we still have Larissa's pictures and that  has got to be good for all of us who like Eltham and its history.

Location, Eltham High Street, Eltham, London


Pictures;  2017, from the collection of Larissa Hammen

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ nu 11 ....... three for one

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.

"The new flats on the old Grove Market site in the distance"

And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera and the patience each week to record the same spot.

It helps if there is a major new development underway like the one in the High Street and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus.”*

And today Larissa sent me three ........ “the new flats on the old Grove Market site which you can see from the distance, a nice shot of the church in the window and the old Co-op site completely levelled” 

Now what I particularly like about Larissa's project is the way it captures month by month the changes to our High Street.

"A nice shot of the church in the window"

All too often we take those changes for granted, and within a few years only vaguely remember what had once been there.

So the beauty of the series is that you can look back and capture that past.

I can not remember the old Grove Market being built or for that matter what was there before and while there are some images of the properties that were demolished, I have yet to come across any of the precinct being built.

And I would love to see more photographs of the construction of the Progress Estate, the Well Hall Odeon and the former Burton's.

"the old Co-op site completely levelled"

But with the demise of the old Co-op we do have Larissa's pictures and that  has got to be good for all of us who like Eltham and its history.

Location, Eltham High Street, Eltham, London





Pictures;  2017, from the collection of Larissa Hamment

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ nu 9....... looking at that hole in the ground

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.


And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera and the patience each week to record the same spot.

It helps if there is a major new development underway like the one in the High Street and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus.”*

There will be many who remember the RACS building in the High Street, which is now just a hole in the ground. Larissa was passing today and took these images commenting "this is the old coop building which will be a cinema....and Greggs."

Location, Eltham High Street, Eltham, London



Picture; February 2017 the old Co-op/Pound Shop site, from the collection of Larissa Hamment

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ nu 8....... goodbye the Co-op ..... another childhood landmark gone

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.

And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera and the patience each week to record the same spot.

It helps if there is a major new development underway like the one in the High Street and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus.”*

There will be many who remember the RACS building in the High Street, which is now just a hole in the ground. Larissa was passing yesterday and took the image.

Location, Eltham High Street, Eltham, London

Picture; December 2016 the old Co-op/Pound Shop site, from the collection of Larissa Hamment

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ nu 6

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.

And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera and the patience each week to record the same spot.

It helps if there is a major new development underway like the one in the High Street and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus.”*

And as Larissa says, "the Old Co-op /Poundland building...going to be the new cinema... works starting now, Greggs are still refusing to budge... but believe Nando's & Zizzi pizza chain are going in as the restaurant choices..!"

Location, Eltham High Street, Eltham, London

Picture; October 2016 from the work at the old Co-op/Pound Shop, from the collection of Larissa Hamment

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ nu 5

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.

And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera and the patience each week to record the same spot.

It helps if there is a major new development underway like the one at Grove Market and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus.”*

Although we have cheated slightly because as Larissa says "different angle for you...taken in Macdonslds... a rare treat for us.!

Location, Eltham High Street, Eltham, London

Picture; September 2016 from the work at Grove Market, from the collection of Larissa Hamment

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus

Pictures from an Eltham bus ........ nu 4 the big crane has gone

The top deck of a London bus has to be a pretty neat way of seeing the world below.

And when it is the same bus at about the same time every day then you have got yourself a project.

All you need is a camera and the patience each week to record the same spot.

It helps if there is a major new development underway like the one at Grove Market and the rest as they say is Larissa Hamment’s “Pictures from an Eltham bus.”*

And here is the latest taken today taken “this morning, the crane went last week, slowly coming along, the high street pavements are being re-done, widened & re paved, it's chaos up there at the moment.”





Location, Eltham High Street, Eltham, London




Picture; July 2016 from the work at Grove Market, from the collection of Larissa Hamment

*Pictures from an Eltham bus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Pictures%20from%20an%20Eltham%20Bus