Nostalgic memories of Woolwich's local history
Share your own memories of Woolwich 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 42 in total
My father's first job was with the RACS in the stables getting the horses ready in the morning to go out pulling the numerous carts. The stables were at the far end of the stores up a sideway. He then became a milkman with them for years until he joined the fire service prior to WW2
As a small lad, I loved stewed eels with mash & parsley sauce and occasionally mum would take me to Manzie's in Thomas Street, as it was her favourite too. But on this day we were obliged to share a 'box' with (I should imagine) a Beresford Square stallholder. Poor chap was chilled to the marrow and had a stinking cold and runny nose - sniff, sniff, sniff. But what I particularly remember, was ...see more
I was born in Woolwich in 1948. The things I remember of the shops in Powis St; David Greggs was where my mother would send me for ham off the bone, I also remember Biddles Fruit and Veg which was just off the High St. The R.A.C.S. Department Store where I would have my hair cut in the barbers on the top floor. There was also a Men's and Boys Outfitters in Hare St opposite Burton, can't remember the name. It is where my ...see more
As a very young lad I lived on Ankerdine Crescent on Shooter's Hill, but Mum frequently took me down to Woolwich for shopping on the market. I can clearly remember a butcher's stall close to Powis Street where the cry related to 'Lamb's tickers' (lamb's hearts), something I sorely miss these days, living here in Sweden. What the Swedes do with the lamb's tickers I'll never know.
We also took ...see more
Me and My Mum used to go in to the old Co-Op in Woolwich and My brought a mat in there before it closes and there was a post office in there aswell
I remember very fondly Woolwich market & town centre in the 60's & 70's. Cuffs department store always seemed so imposing with polished wooden floors, we had to go there to get my school uniform for Notre Dame Convent in Eglington Road. Christmas time always meant a visit to the store to see Santa's grotto, and a ride up in the lift which was always manned. My favourite department was the downstairs ...see more
I used to love the ferry, it was like going on holiday. My mum had a brother in hospital somewhere near Woolwich. It was always Sunday and it always seemed to be sunny. I used to love going down and seeing all the working parts on the old ferries, always polished and shinning. It seems daft but I can still smell the Thames, I think it's cleaner now. Sometimes we would walk the tunnel but that scared me, I always thought the water was going to come in. I hear it's not changed much, the tunnel.
I remember Woolwich town centre in the 1960's when I was a kid. In this picture I believe you can just see Garrets department store on the left which was a big rival to Cuffs department store a bit further back (out of shot). It was Cuffs store that provided my school uniform for Eglinton school. I also remember going to the restaurant upstairs in the RACS, not often as it was a silver service restaurant, a ...see more
There has been a ferry at Woolwich for many centuries but the people of Woolwich complained in the 1880s that West London had free access across the River Thames by bridges so why couldn't they have free travel? The river was too busy to put a bridge over and there was not room to put in a tunnel so the newly formed London County Council decided to provide a free ferry service with boats large enough to accomodate ...see more
Hi all,
I'm doing an oral history project about local industries. I would really like to get in touch with people who worked in Woolwich Market or the Co-op stores. Any ideas much appreciated.
The project is called Working Lives of the Thames Gateway:
http://www.hidden-histories.org.uk/projects/working-lives-thames-gateway-introduction
All the best,
Laura