Comments on: In Old Bermondsey

By: r wood

r wood — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 14:35:17 +0000

I lived at No 107 Weston St 1943 it was partially condemned due to bomb damage but was temporary until we were moved to Great Dover St where subsequently early 1945 one of the big bombs (V2 rocket) landed nearby followed some days later by another V2 up the road near the Borough tube station (which was also an air raid shelter capacity well over 1,000 people) St Georges Church opposite also had a temporary shelter in the crypt. But because the V2’s arrived at supersonic speed (over 3,000 mph) and almost silent until they landed there was rarely any
warning, not like the V1 (doodle bugs) . I cannot remember anything about the Blitz earlier but if the bombs then were all V2’s London’s city would have looked more like the surface of Moon.
On that happy note I shall just say keep safe and in a few more months we will have got the better of yet another deadly enemy .

By: Kathleen Metcalfe

Kathleen Metcalfe — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 13:25:44 +0000

I love to see the photos of Bermondsey. I lived off the Old Kent Road.
My ancestors were sawyers, tanners and sail makers. My grandmother worked
In the jam factory and my father in Peek Freens. I feel at home walking
Around the area still although i no longer live in London. I do visit
Often meeting up with school pals from Walworth Comprehensive. One
Thing i will miss is the statue to Thomas Guy. I understand it is to be
Removed shortly and hidden away until an appropriate place can be found
For it. I expect it will be forgotten about. Every visit to Bermondsey has
History removed which i find upsetting but developers cant take my
Memories away. My father died in Guys Hospital. He loved telling
The nurses he was a Bermondsey Boy.

By: Kathryn Hockey

Kathryn Hockey — Mon, 18 May 2020 19:13:44 +0000

Dear Gentle Author,

I am so glad that you made it through your brush with Covid-19.

Thank you so much for this article, which I came across while researching the history of Bermondsey to accompany a series of ‘painted snapshots’ of the area I made for The Brooklyn Art Library Sketchbook Project.

I’m writing a blog on my website about the project and I have included a quote of your description of Bermondsey Street as it’s more evocative and poetic than anything I could achieve in my own words.

I have also quoted Peter Wheeler’s lovely recollection of the horses being shod at RW Auto’s since I painted that building for the project.

I have credited you both and included a link to your wonderful website so I trust that you won’t mind. Please let me know if you do object and I will alter the text accordingly.

Very best wishes, hoping that you remain safe and well and continue to write for a long time to come.

By: Brodie Gibson

Brodie Gibson — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 20:44:07 +0000

Nice article. My Mum lives in the blue house on Grange Walk, since 1964, which is where I grew up.
The company in the little mews next door used to repair some of the lighting attractions from Blackpool Illuminations, of which she bought a couple.
Used to be a big biscuit factory opposite and the building on the corner of Grigg’s Place was the Scouts building. In those days Bermondsey Market took up the whole square and was in 2 sections. It’s rather more “upmarket” these days.

By: Barry Plank

Barry Plank — Sat, 17 Aug 2019 15:29:44 +0000

Hi I have been searching for “The Rose” in Southwark as My Great Aunt supposedly had a pub there according to my Grandfather. I’m pleased to say I have found her on the 1939 register and she did indeed have the above pub. From 1933 to at least 1939. Mrs Fanny Frost (you couldn’t make it up) Nee Townsend.
The whole area looks very interesting and I now have some great photo’s for my family history page.
I must visit the Rose in the near future!

By: Pete Wheeler

Pete Wheeler — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 14:52:58 +0000

Just found this article about Bermondsey. I can recall right back to when I was living in Kinross Street which is now part of the park where Tanner Street meets Bermondsey Street. And yes I can remember the Farrier on the corner of Morroco Street. I used to watch fascinated as the big shire horses were being shod. Probably horses that belonged to Tommy Hatcher as that was the local haulier. I particularly remember the smell when the hot shoes were put on the hoof. My brother and I would chase after Tommy Hatcher’s carts and hang off the back. The time was 1946/47.
Further up Bermondsey Street was a place that ground spices. I would watch the machine through the open door. Then there was the smell of custard from Monk and Glass. We would walk to school in Melior Street (La Salette).
I also remember watching the tanners working, and the smell of vinegar from Sarsons in Tanner street. Little did in know that my dad would soon own “The Jolly Tanners” in Rothsay Street.

By: Frank Wyld

Frank Wyld — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 06:13:32 +0000

In about 1943-1944 I worked at Monk and Glass going to work and home again dodging V1s and V2s eating lunch (dinner ) in a little corner ” caff ” . Looking back bad times I suppose but it seemed good to us lads and exciting too . Started in the factory a skinny 15 year old left to join the RAF a strapping young man arter humping all that cornflour and sugar. Wondering is the old Monk and Glass building still there. I live in Sydney these days can’t just pop found the Corner for a peep

By: Shirley chamberlain

Shirley chamberlain — Sat, 20 May 2017 23:33:41 +0000

Not sure how I stumped across this but so pleased I did! I’ve been to Grange Walk, just once a few years ago, to find the houses where my grandparents lived before marrying at st. Mary Magdalene church Nov 1901. I never had the chance to go in sadly. One house remains, can’t recall Tor number. The other is long gone. The remaining house was where my maternal grt grandparents lived and it was with huge sadness that, from her death cert., I found she died there in her early 50’s from ‘apoplexy due to alcoholism’. What sort of life had she lived? 7 children and her husband a warehouse man. Try as I may I can’t imagine much happiness for her. These pictures help us to realise what the area was like but oh how I wish they could talk!
My grandparents moved to Rotherhithe then down into Kent leaving their London behind. But I cherish my roots, although I now live far away in Cumbria. A few weeks ago we were able to go up The Shard whilst spending a short break at Greenwich. How amazing to look down on the little area that formed my family’s world. I wonder what they would make of it now?!

By: Georgina Briody

Georgina Briody — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 06:16:46 +0000

I was so glad to see this item on Bermondsey today. I only returned last Saturday, 17th September to Bermondsey Street and, whilst saddened by some of the sights I saw, happy to see new life in the area but a worry the greed of the developers will completely destroy it.

I did not live far from Page’s Walk and went to school opposite the cottage. In my day it was Bermondsey Central, then Bacon and now I believe the building has been turned into luxury flats.

Happy to see the church, I was a bridesmaid there back in the 1970s.

Thanks for these happy memories.

By: SJ

SJ — Mon, 02 May 2016 20:46:45 +0000

Does anyone have any pictures of The Rose public House from about 1938 to about 1942. A relative worked there & I’d like pictures of interior of it at that time if possible. Recently visited there but it has all been changed inside & out.