Looking for pictures of Eltham in 2015

Now I came late to the Eltham Society ......... fifty years to be exact but I am in it now and wonder why it took so long to join.

It really does do what it says “Preserving the past, Conserving the present, and Protecting the future” and  “as part of our 2015 50th anniversary celebrations, the Society is creating a photographic archive of events, people and places in Eltham during 2015 that will give a flavour to future generations.”

The appeal was made to members but I am pretty sure they would be happy to receive  images from anyone who cares to make a contribution and each "submission should include the location, time photo taken and name of photographer.

Submission of photographs will constitute an agreement to grant the Eltham Society a royalty-free licence to reproduce, distribute and publicly display them.”

So there you have it off everyone goes to snap away and make contact via their web site.*

Some of the photos will be shown at the "Eltham in Pictures" exhibition on Saturday 20th February 2016 in St Mary’s Community Hall, Eltham High Street.

Pictures; Eltham Palace, 20014, from the collection of Colin and Elizabeth Fitzpatrick

*Eltham Society, http://www.theelthamsociety.org.uk/

On Barlow Moor Road with a mystery

Now here is a puzzle.

Leon's 2015

This is Peter’s painting of Leon’s on Barlow Moor Road and like many I have been coming here for years.

And each time I walk into the shop I ponder on the age of the building and a little mystery which I fist came across a few years ago.*

The building dates from the early 20th century which  know because it doesn’t show up on the street directory for 1911 but is there on the OS Map for 1934.

Of course a trawl of the directories for the early 20th century will offer up the date it was built and this I must do because of the small mystery of what is written above the door.

Addressal Printing Works 1959

For years I just assumed that the inscription “Established 1885” referred to when the building went up, but not so which of course offers up the mystery.

According to one source the building had been built as a laundry but by 1959 was the Addressall Printing Works.*

The obvious answer was that either the Printing Company or the laundry had been founded in 1885 but following that up has been less than successful.

The Addressal Printing Press is not listed in the early 20th century and we have no name for the laundry which pretty much means that at present we have reached a dead end.

I suppose Leon’s might have the answer and once I have the name of the first occupant that might furnish some more clues but until then I shall just have to wait, and leave you with one last clue that in some pictures there is a tall chimney stack at the back of the building which would suggest a boiler and a link to a laundry.

Well we shall just have to wait.

*.What was that building at 419 Barlow Moor Road? http://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/what-was-that-building-at-419-barlow.html

Painting; Leon's Barlow Moor Road, © 2015 Peter Topping,
Web: www.paintingsfrompictures.co.uk
Facebook: Paintings from Pictures https://www.facebook.com/paintingsfrompictures

Picture; Addressall Printing Works (originally built for laundry), House adjoining used as office for printers, RE Stanley, m17530 courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives, Manchester City Council, http://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php?session=pass

Saving a Century........... a major new photographic exhibition from the Victorian Society ..... starts today

Now here is an exhibition not to be missed combining the story of the Victorian Society’s ongoing work to save our historic buildings with a fine collection of photographs from their collection.

It's free free and at the John Rylands Library on Deansgate between January 8- March 24

According to Steve Roman, “the Victorian Society’s photographic exhibition Saving a Century, curated by noted architectural historian Gavin Stamp, which will be on show free of charge at The John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH, from  January 8 – March 24, daily during Library hours.

The Albert Memorial, London, 1872

Using archive photographs and material from over fifty years of the Victorian Society’s fight to save historic buildings, the exhibition charts the successes and defeats of the organisation that has done so much to change public attitudes towards the nineteenth century’s best architecture. 

After more than 60 venues around Britain this is the final showing of the exhibition, which includes local images from Manchester, Oldham, Ashton-under-Lyne, Middleton, Preston and Nelson.”

And where better to see the exhibition than in the John Rylands Library on Deansgate, which just leaves me to high light the work of the Victorian Society and quote from their site,

"The Victorian Society is the national charity campaigning for the Victorian and Edwardian historic environment. 

Coldhurst Mill, Oldham, 1876, demolished in 1977

It fights to preserve important Victorian and Edwardian buildings and landscapes so that they can be enjoyed by this and future generations. 

It provides expert advice to churches and local planning authorities on how Victorian and Edwardian buildings and landscapes can be adapted to the way we live now, while keeping what is special about them. It also advises members of the public about how they can help shape the future of their local Victorian and Edwardian buildings and landscapes. 

It provides information to owners of Victorian and Edwardian houses about how they can better look after their precious buildings. 

It helps people understand, appreciate and enjoy the architectural heritage of the Victorian and Edwardian period through its publications and educational programmes.""***

St Mar's Street, Nelson, 2014

Pictures, The Britannia Hotel, Portland Street , Manchester formerly the Watts Warehouse by Travis and Magnall, 1851-6, Coldhurst Mill, Oldham , 1876, demolished in 1977 a week after the photo was taken, St Mary’s Street, Nelson, saved and now upgraded thanks to local residents supported by the Victorian Society, The Albert Memorial, London,1872 by George Gilbert Scott, from the Society's collection

*Victorian Society, Manchester Regional Web site,  http://www.victoriansociety.org.uk/manchester/

** Steve Roman,Victorian Society Membership Trustee, 0161 434 2908

***The Victorian Society, 1 Priory Gardens , LONDON W4 1TT Telephone 020 8994 1019 www.victoriansociety.org.uk

The Victorian Society is a Registered Charity No. 1081435 and a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No. 3940996.

Discovering more about the Great War ............... War Diaries on line from the National Archives

Now for anyone interested in the Great War here is a bit of good news which will make research just a bit easier.*

Today he National Archives have just announced that the “diaries of 247 First World War hospital camps, hospital ships, convalescent hospitals and veterinary hospitals are now available to search and download. 

These war diaries reveal different methods of treating injured and disabled soldiers, and give an insight into life in hospital during the First World War." 



Pictures; picture postcard possibly Willow Bank Red Cross Hospital, circa 1914 courtesy of David Harrop

*First World War hospital diaries now online, The National Archives, http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/news/first-world-war-hospital-diaries-now-online/?utm_source=The%20National%20Archives&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=6626117_January%202016%20enewsletter&utm_content=WO95%20news%20story

Down in Deptford remembering J Stone and Co ............ another story from Barny

Does anyone remember (or used to work for J Stone and Co Engineering in ​Arklow Road, Deptford?

From 1881 to 1969 the industrial estate was Stone’s engineering works. J. Stone & Co had been founded by Josiah Stone in a workshop in Deptford in 1831, moving in 1842 to railway arches where he made hand pumps and manual fire engines.

The firm moved to Arklow Road in 1881 to make propellers, watertight ships doors, steam pumps, electric lighting systems for railways axle-driven lighting system, and later air conditioning for trains and other engineering products.

There was a Fastener Division, a Boiler Division, a Rail Division, and a Laundry Division. The propeller foundry moved to Charlton in 1916 where it remains.

In 1950 the Deptford works made rail and road transport products, nails, rivets and washers. In 1959 the firm became Stone Platt Industries, and in 1963 Stone Manganese Marine. The Deptford factory closed in 1969.

Stone's Office block. A classical building of 1916, with an extra floor added in 1928






Picture; inscribed name plate, and trade page courtesy of Grace's Guide to Britsh Industrial History, http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/

Who remembers getting near hypothermia at Peckham Rye Lido? .............. another story from Barny

Catford Lido, similar to Peckham Lido

Peckham Rye Common north, on East Dulwich Road, was the location of Peckham Lido, (the posh name for "open air swimming pool") opened by the London County Council in September 1923. 

The water was as cold as the council could get it without importing icebergs.

It was freezing, even in the July 76 heatwave.

The fountain

It's almost as if it were topped up every day with a bucket of liquid nitrogen!

It was closed in April 1987.
It appears that only the old fountain remains in situ.

At least Dulwich Baths, just a few hundred yards away was heated all year round.

Incidentally, not very from said Lido, on the corner of Forest Hill Road and Wood Vale, was Honor Oak Cemetery.

The Gothic Lodge

The Gothic lodge is a handsome c1856 British Listed Building described as constructed from "coursed rubble with ashlar dressings", and some other odd stuff.

Both locations were featured in the 1970 black comedy film "Entertaining Mr. Sloan", starring Beryl Reid, then 50, as Kath and Peter McEnery as Mr. Sloane.

Harry Andrews plays Ed, Kath's brother, who drives a 1959 Pontiac Parisienne, Reg. VYP 74, that once belonged to original Pink Floyd member Syd Barrett.

Pictures, Catford Lido, the Lodge, and the fountain,  from the collection of Barny

Discovering a little bit more about that Victorian Hotel on High Street

Now here is a bit of a story I hadn’t planned on but which has taken me back to the old Victorian Hotel on High Street opposite the Arndale.*

It was once known as the Wheatsheaf became the Hogshead and is now the English Lounge.

I have yet to track its full history but there was a pub carrying the name of the Wheatsheaf on this site in 1844 although the present building may date from the 1880s.

Sadly according to Michael Farrand who worked there for five years from 1995 none of the original interior has survived but I was intrigued by a door in the manager’s “kitchen which led to the old Hotel.  This was later renovated and is now part of the pub.

It was interesting but sadly not really any original features left, although through the door there were two large rooms (which are now the upstairs restaurant) and there was a hole in the ceiling which you needed step ladders to get up to as there was no staircase.

But up there was a lovely Victorian staircase which led to I think about eight to ten small bedrooms.

And a little more. whilst I was the manager there I remember looking into the History of the pub. And If I remember righty in I think 1882 /83 part of the building collapsed and a barmaid who was asleep in one of the bedrooms. had to be rescued ? Sorry can't remember the full story”

Now that is a bit of the Wheatsheaf I reckon few today know about and I am betting there may be more.

Thanks to Michael Farrand who supplied the information and to Neil Simpson who alerted me to the connection.

Painting; The English Lounge, High Street, © 2015 Peter Topping,
Web: www.paintingsfrompictures.co.uk
Facebook: Paintings from Pictures https://www.facebook.com/paintingsfrompictures

*A pub by another name .............. the English Lounge on High Street, http://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/a-pub-by-another-name-english-lounge-on.html