The Prefab Challenge ............... saving our shared heritage

Now someone will have written the book on the prefab, but I wonder if anyone has documented just where all of them were in south east London?

Judging by the responses to a story I ran on the prefab on Lordship Lane, there were lots, which given the shortage of houses after the last war will be a surprise to no one.*

But back then we were grateful that they were being built and during the next two decades of peace took these instant homes for granted.

Now, most have gone and soon a part from OS maps and dusty plans hidden away in City and Borough archives the evidence of where they were will be lost forever, and that is a shame.

So it needs someone who like me loves prefabs but also lives in south east London and has the time to do the business.

So there it is ........ the Prefab Challenge ...... just get in touch and will send the data, and with luck there should be a few stories along with some more copyright free pictures of prefabs.

Location; East Dulwich

Picture; the Prefab, Lordship Lane, 2018, courtesy of Rosie Jones.

A prefab ...... now that's a zippy title

Now the chances are, if you grew up in the 1950s you either lived in one or knew someone who lived in a prefab.

They were our answer to the housing shortage after the last war and have become one of those iconic images of the post war period.

My friend Colin lived in one, but I can’t remember now exactly where.

I have a vague memory of it being on one of those long roads off Erlanger, Pepys, or Jerningham Roads but I can’t remember. 

I did go looking, hoping that there may be a clue in a modern block of flats, but so far I have drawn a blank.

Still someone may know.

In the meantime I now have my own copyright free picture of a prefab, sent to me by Rosie Jones.

Rosie had responded to a story about one of my adventures in East Dulwich and commented that “I recently walked from West Norwood to East Dulwich, which was exciting even at my age. This prefab on Lordship Lane took my eye”.

And it has taken mine.

So a little bit of our joint past bounces back.

Location; East Dulwich

Picture; the Prefab, Lordship Lane, 2018, courtesy of Rosie Jones.

*The nowhere adventure ........ out of Peckham and on till morning, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-nowhere-adventure-out-of-peckham.html