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 31 - 40 of 42 in total
My mum apparently worked in a cafe in Woolwich during 1955/56, it may have been near the market. I really need to know about all the cafes that were there at that time, who owned them? And does anyone remember the following names from then: Sid (cafe owner. Jeff, who sold things on the market. A man that had one leg, a tall handsome man called John (he may have been of mixed race such as half Cypriot?). Any information, no matter how small, will be very helpful.
Thankyou,from Linda
After leaving school my first job was in Cuffs department store on the counter selling scarves and gloves. I was a very shy girl but a lovely lady named Tessa took me under her wing and we became friends. She was older than me and had a really good sense of humour - I often wonder what became of her. My next position was opposite Cuffs working as a window dresser (this is what I had always wanted to do)for ...see more
During the early years after the Second World War my mother would take me to Woolwich as a special treat. I was about 8 year old then. We would catch the 696 trolleybus from Dartford market and arrive at the Woolwich Arsenal around lunch time. Our first stop was Manzie's Pie and Eel shop - absolutely delicious after the wartime food. From there we would walk past Woolwich Empire on our way to the ferry. On the ...see more
Used to take a trip across to the other side as a teenager, just for the thrill of seeing the steam engines working. Went on it again a couple of years back to find no foot passengers now.
This shows Powis Street in Woolwich. The large building in the middle of the photo is the RACS Co-op building, it is also the site in the distance of the first McDonalds shop in England. I was born in Balham in the late 1930s. I was working in Woolwich in 1956-1957 and have seen the decline in the area from a once thriving town.
From 1958-61 our family was the only one living on Mill Lane, just off the parade grounds near here. My stepfather was 'stationed' with the RAEC at Eltham Palace and I attended Shooter's Hill GS and Westminster Hotel School, subsequently. Our army officer's quarters housing was a quite 'luxurious' rambling one storey structure surrounded by about 4 acres of gardens, a greenhouse and woods where I would first try my hand at ...see more
In the 1950s to the 1970s I can remember Woolwich Market well. It sold fruit, veg and clothes. There were also the market traders who held auctions with everything from tea sets to toys for sale. Were they a bargain? Who knows, but we had great fun listening to the Cockney patter and taking home our prizes!
The Woolwich Ferry was the only way I can remember in the 1950s and 60s that we could go 'over the water ' from South to North London. I can remember trips with my Nannie as a child , catching a bus from Eltham to Woolwich and then on the Ferry when she went to visit a Methodist Church on the other side of the Thames. The Thames at that time was so smelly she used to give me a hankie with lavender water to hold to my ...see more
From Chris Johnson, This photograph is of Woolwich Common near General Gordon's House looking towards the Royal Military Accademy on the road towards Eltham. These houses are not there anymore and the 1960's Woolwich Common Estate now stands there and the blue plaque that was on General Gordon's house is now in the Heritage Centre in the old Arsenal.
I never got down Powys Street that often but loved to spend ages in 'Woolies' or the F.W. Woolworth Co. shop where they had row upon row of bunks full of all this marvelous stuff !!
