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 11 - 20 of 32 in total
I was born in Catford and from an early age knew the area well, having relatives in the area to visit. Great grandmother lived in Wellmeadow road and we lived in Broadfield Road from the 1960's onwards. Walking from ours to Lee high road and anywhere in between. I lived in leybridge court in the 1990's my first time having lived in a tower block and thought I would hat it, but it was ...see more
From Martin's description it sounds as if he lived in Hither Green Lane [as did I in the 50s and 60s] There were allotments behind the houses, an inevitable draw, since we were forbidden to go there, and would be shouted at and chased if seen. But up at 'our' end the grass was long and we were less likely to be spotted. There was a huge rusty tank sunk into the ground, bright green pnd weed on the top of the ...see more
I lived in Campshill Road SE13, I also went to St Marys C of E School. I have so many good memories of Lewisham, also of going to the Odeon, I saw the Beatles there and the Rolling Stones once in my teens. I nearly got expelled from Sedgehill School for queuing for tickets all night, was worth it though! I lived in Campshill Road from 1948- 1959, our house was demolished and we had to move to ...see more
We moved to Lewisham in 1939 to 18 Crathorn Street which sadly is no longer there. Can remember vividly the war and having to walk the streets one night - my mum pushing my little sister in a pram - shelters all full. We had to leave because incendiaries bombs were dropped on a building at the top of the turning, had to be hosed out by firemen. Someone mentioned the Gaumont cinema, well during the war the home ...see more
I drove my 80cc Suzuki motorbike daily from West Wickham to Mayfair to go to work. One night through Lewisham High Street, I found myself in the middle of a battle zone. On one side of the Street were the black leathered Rockers and their motorbikes. In the middle of the High Street stood the police with dogs. The Mods were on the other side; with their motor scooters and long brown coats with fox ...see more
We lived in Knowles Hill Cres as young parents with a baby girl and we used to go shopping in Safeways on a Friday . We went to the toy shop on my daughters 4th birthday to buy her a doll but came home with a trainset. We had her photo taken with santa in Chiesmans but we left Lewisham in 1969.
I was born at 6 Drysdale Road, Lewisham in 1955 - wish I could find photos of it. It was a nice quiet street where everybody knew each other; in fact my mum's sister lived opposite, my mum's other sisters and two brother in laws lived in the street and my step-father's cousin lived next door.
I am tracing my family history on both my mother and father's sides and have discovered that most of my relatives seem to come from the Lewisham area, Peckham, Camberwell, Bellingham and then Bromley. I live in Bournemouth and am not familiar with the areas but would love to know if anyone knew any of my family. The surnames on my father's side are Harbour and Weeks and my mother's, Margerum and Roots.
My mother, then called Billie Gwilliam, was living in New Cross in South London with her parents Bill and Connie Gwilliam during the Blitz of the Second World War, and has many memories of what it was like to be a young child living through this terrifying time.
‘I remember a group of us coming up the hill from our school, which was at the bottom of the road, and the air-raid siren ...see more
I lived in Lewisham from 57- 72 . Went to school at St Stephens C of E and lived on top of Vicars Hill, used to play in Hilly Fields Park. I vividly remember being the only one in the park in a blizzard and being very cold! I now Live in Sydney, Australia, maybe that memory had something to do with me moving to a warmer climate. I still have fond memories of Lewisham.