I have been very trmiss not sending some of this off earlier,. I ought to send it out on the day it comes in! Hwever here is the digest of what has been in the post recently - keep on to the end there is some important stuff there
Woolwich Antiquarians Newsetter
They note the following dates
9th November Andy Brockman on The Conflict Archaeology of Woolwich. 2 pm Charlton House
4 September. Richard Buchanan on Street Furniture. Orpington and District Archaeological Society, Christ Church to Tudor Way, Petts Wood 8 pm
14th September. Charlton Society 50 years. 2 pm Charlton House
Among other items the Newsletter notes use of the Tram Shed in Woolwich. The point out that it was built as an electricity substation using mains driven motors directly coupled to generators to provide the DC supply needed by the trams.
Shrewsbury House. There are concerns about a World War II building converted for use as a house known as Green Garth. The Community Centre is keen to use this building since it is designed in bomb resistant reinforced concrete and is thus sound proofed. It also has a good hall for art displays. They are hoping to get heritage funding.
They also report on the current state of the Avery Hill Winter Garden which belong to Greenwich University who would like to sell. Apparently an understanding has been reached with the council
Cruise liner Terminal site - they report that Morgan Stanley have sold the land to Criterion Capital
There is an article about a suite of Astragraphic telescopes - meaning that modern digital is used to generate viewable output. It is to be named after Annie Maunder who was called 'a computer' when she worked there in the 1890s. Some details are given of her life.
Lewisham Local History Society Newsletter
They lead with a obituary to Diana Rimmel whose death we reported earlier in this blog. It includes tributes from Julian Watson and John King
They give some information about Frederick Lanchester who designed the heavy bomber ansd who was apparently born in Lewisham.
In answer to a query they mention the Whitbread bottling plant which was on what is now the Tesco site and the only remaining building there called Eagle House. The Anchor Brewery occupied the site from 1818 and in 1870 built Eagle House but it was bought by Whitbreads in 1984
They advertise meetings
27 September. Women’s Suffrage Movement in Lewisham and working-class campaigners with Jill Mountford
25th October. Lewishams' listed theatre at Catford Broadway by Carmel O’Connor
29th November Leaves from Literary Lewisham by Malcolm Bacchus
They don’t say where the meetings are but I guess they are at the Methodist Church at Albion Road at 7:30
GLIAS Newsletter
They advertise meetings and walks
7th September Camden housing led by John Goodier
5th October City Geology led by Alan Wheeler
email walks@glias.com to book
They hope that newsletters during this year which is their anniversary year will be themed:
in October people asked to contribute about GLIAS coach trips; in December about the GLIAS Recording Group in February walks and conferences
An article on Greenwich and Woolwich ferries includes the new ferry vessels from Poland which are currently being an embarrassment on the old Woolwich ferry route. It also gives some details of the Greenwich steam ferry which operated in the 1880s at what was later known as Wood Wharf.
GREENWICH SOCIETY NEWSLETTER
This has an article by Pieter Van der Merwe on the Tudor and earlier jetty remains found on the foreshore off the Five Foot Walk in Greenwich and exposed by the emergency repairs to the river wall . He also mentions the Friars Wharf in the same area.
LABOUR HERITAGE NEWSLETTER
This includes some interesting information about Woolwich and Greenwich in a packed newsletter. It is by John Laxton who I remember well as having done and very noticeable dissertation on Woolwich Labour Party in the 1970s. This article talks about the growth of the Party in Woolwich and saysntht by 1901 the Liberal Association there had ceased to function. A Progressive Association was formed and the Woolwich Trades Council said that the Parliamentary Candidate had to get a pledge to join the Independently Labour Party members in Parliament. Will Crooks was chosen and fought a by-election in 1903 as the Labour candidate winning with a majority of over 3000. John points out the strength of local trade uniona and that the engineers in Woolwich had 2000 members. The Labour Representation Committee formed in Woolwich was organised it what was to hecome the universal pattern for constituency Labour parties.
LOCAL PLANNING SITE ALLOCATIONS
We have had a letter to the Planning Department of the council about the site allocations consultation and local plan preferred approach. Hopefully local groups will read the huge amount of material sent out on this and keep us in touch with their views on all those old industrial sites. Info on the Council web site under 'Consultations'.
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