Nostalgic memories of Lewisham's local history

Share your own memories of Lewisham and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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Displaying Memories 21 - 30 of 32 in total

Our family immigrated to Australia in 1955 (we were Ten Quid Poms) but I still have acute memories of life in Lewisham. We lived in at 44 Aislibie Road, Lee Green, in a two-story semi-detached, one half of which had been bombed in WW2, before we lived there. It will be noted that it's the only semi-detached house in the street with a different style of dwellings ( built in the early ...see more
Has anyone memories of the Corset Shop or did you work in Cheesmans Corsetry Department between 1948 - 1988 - I need your memories or they will be lost forever no matter how wacky or off the wall. Shop Assistants - were your relationship with your customers or the relationship with your Foundation Wear. During the 1950's / 60's we had a lot of single sex schools - did a mum ever bring or buy foundation wear for her ...see more
I was only a few months old when our family moved to 122 Marsala Road, Ladywell in 1949. I was ten years of age when we moved from Ladywell to Dartford in August 1959 but there are many different and varied things that I can remember. Money was then very tight and Dad was working in London and Mum also worked full-time. Mum's Aunt Mabel (Massingham) came over most days to look after Ian and me ...see more
Although l tended to spend most of my free days playing at near by Hilly Fields, it being nearer to my home, l do have a few memories of playing at the Wreak, that's the name, we as kids knew it by. As a pupil at Lewisham Bridge Primary School, we used it for sports. After leaving school, mostly during the mid 1960s, a number of us, including 2 of my brothers, friends and mates, from my street mostly, after Sunday ...see more
Born in Hither Green 1n 1966. Grew up and have fond memories of home. Started Beacon Road school from 1970 to 77. Catford Boys 77 to 82. Edie May's sweet shop Ardmere Road with that distinct smell. Barretts Off Licence etc. Loved going swimming at Ladywell Baths. Does anyone remember Torbay chippy in Staplehurst Road? Them chips were the best. Showing my age, I can remember the Springbank Road Station entrance. ...see more
My strongest memories of Lewisham is there being three cinemas there. The Gaumont (where I saw the Beatles live in the 1960s) - I went to Saturday morning pictures there. The Rex cinema, just by the bridge opposite The Duke of Clarence pub, also opposite the best restaraunt in Lewisham, 'The Saville'. And the Prince of Wales which was further up Lewisham High Street almost opposite the Catholic ...see more
The smell of chestnuts in December on cold nights in Lewisham High Street. The seafood stall, eating cockles and whelks. Going to Chiesmans to see Father Christmas. Hearing the calling of the market traders. Going to Saturday morning pictures at the Odeon. Going to St Mary's C of E School and harvest festival at St Mary's Church. Getting free buns from the bakers where I lived at Engate Street. Feeling really ...see more
Hot dog stall, Lewisham, Wooly's Saturday afternoon, Saturday morning pictures, Cheismans, Elvis, rock and roll, Chislehurst caves, jazz Saturday nights, chasing girls to get candle back, being chased by Deptford boys in Bedford van, clambering through the river tunnel under Cheismans, courting in Ladywellwreck, youth club in Davenport Road, Catford, watching the show on the bandstand in Mountfield Park, playing hide ...see more
I did my cinema management training at the Gaumont, Lewisham under Keith Hann and assistant Brian Richardson, then moved on as assistant at Deptford Odeon, New Cross Gaumont, Bromley Odeon and eventually my first management was The Walpole (300+ seats) at Ealing and then on to The Astoria (3027 seats) in the Old Kent Road, I finally left in 1962. Do you remember the catastrophic fire that destroyed the Lewisham ...see more
The white building on the right used to be called Chiesmans. Trams used to run along the street. In the 1950s in thick smog I had to wait for hours for a bus to eventually arrive to take me as far as Well Hall, where I had to walk from there to home. I was in a train travelling from Cannon Street down to Falconwood on one line when everything stopped because a train from Holborn became derailed on the Lewisham viaduct. Never ...see more