Comments on: In Old Bermondsey

By: Mrs. Christine Smith

Mrs. Christine Smith — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 12:14:00 +0000

I lived in a prefab on the corner of Fendall Street and went to St. Mary Magdalene School on the opposite corner and this was in the early 1950s. No matter where I look I cannot find any reference to the school and it was a lovely place, I always remember being very happy there. When the time came I went onto Boucher School in Grange Road. Does anyone remember St. Mary Magdalene School?

By: jill jones

jill jones — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 15:44:07 +0000

wonderful indeed, trying to do a short piece about my past, our family lived in Guinness Buildings around the mid 1950’s dad was a lay preacher at Arthurs Mission ,he worked as security along the docks, Bermondsey is a wonderful place, they just cover the history, its still there, thank-you so much.

By: Alexander Gordon-Wood

Alexander Gordon-Wood — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 12:46:37 +0000

my great great great grandmother Jane Steel we born in Grange Walk Bermondsey in 1796. and baptised at St Mary Magdalene Church in 1797. daughter of Thomas Steel a leather tanner and Jane Steel. the Steels were there from at least the start of the 18th Century according get to the parish registers of St Mary Magdalene.

By: pauline taylor

pauline taylor — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 22:05:35 +0000

Thank you GA for your walk south of the river and all the photos. It is very much an unknown world to me but I am particularly interested in Bermondsey as my great grandfather, Samuel Denton Russell, was born in Spa Road, Bermondsey Street in 1838 and spent part of his childhood in the Workhouse with his mother and a half brother and sister. He was baptized at St Mary Magdalene Bermondsey with a group of children from the Workhouse and must have been sent to school although I cannot discover where this might have been, but he surely must have been familiar with many of the buildings in your photos so they help to bring it all to life for me. Although he left Bermondsey before his first marriage in Hoxton he must have retained connections as he returned to St Mary Magdalene for his marriage to his second wife. I wish I knew more about it all as there is obviously so much history there.

By: gkbowood

gkbowood — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 17:46:29 +0000

What’s up with the large black skull artwork hanging (?) over the door to St Thomas Church? I googled the street view and unless it was AFTER June 2016 nothing like that image was present. I enjoyed googling your walk and seeing this area since I cannot be there in person. Thanks!

By: Jim McDermott

Jim McDermott — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 15:44:40 +0000

Once more, GA, you shame my wasted London years. I worked at the south side of London Bridge between 1988 and 1991, and the only history that really registered during that time was that of Southwark Cathedral, the Bish. of Winchester’s Palace, and, of course, the George. A short, observant stroll would have shown me so much more – I was far too interested in taking photographs and not nearly enough in seeing. Thanks for putting me right.

By: Ian

Ian — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 15:31:15 +0000

My Dad, Denis Johnson and his family (4 kids and parents although his Mum died giving birth to his little sister) grew up in the Guinness building before moving to the Old Kent Road and then Peckham where I was born. His Dad worked at Woolwich Arsenal. We have a few photos of his big sister and his baby sister outside the building. He worked on the Isle of Dogs (started as a teaboy) for one of the haulage companies and went on to work for Beck and Pollitzer. This post has made me realise I need to take him back there for a look around, he is now 87 and lives in Burnham Market in North Norfolk, he’s done alright for himself but we are a London family and proud of our heritage….

By: Annie G

Annie G — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 15:17:30 +0000

Baden…
BERmondsey

There you go, guv!

By: Helen Breen

Helen Breen — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 11:10:56 +0000

Greetings from Boston,

GA, thanks for yet another stroll through a fascinating part of London which still retains much of its past according to your description. As a Yank who visits London often, I am always fascinated by the names of Tube stops including “Canada Water,” “Heron Quays,” “Beckham Rye,” and, of course, “Bermondsey.”

Enjoyed the pics of Keats, the “cottage garden,” and the church. I would love to read those inscriptions on the walls.

Thanks again…

By: JenniB

JenniB — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 10:55:01 +0000

Makes me want to go for a walk – especially in this weather and with my camera fully charged and an empty card! Thank you for this post – just lovely photos and so atmospheric.