Woolwich is an odd place. Went there last year to see the boat before it got decommissioned (which I know is odd in itself but we are anoraks) anyway... The bit that really surprised me is the wrong side of the tracks (in Woolwich's case the road) where in the side close to the river all very nice, youngs? Pubs and flats for yuppies. So very seperate from the other side which has the woolwich I know, it's a bit rough but more me I guess. Never seen such an obvious divide showing gentrification. Surely something some kid at University could do a thesis on, the changing landscape of London.
It is quite remarkable. Almost apartheid, the way Woolwich Road divides the two.
The Arsenal site has always been separate, of course, but not because of money, unlike now.
It does make me hanker after a wrong side of the tracks Woolwich pub crawl though.
I fondly remember the Union Tavern off the back of Macbean Street back in the early/mid70s - it was my local when I was at school!
The Union Tavern was the first pub me and my pals drank in; basically because it was out of the way, trouble-free and the landlord didn't get the hump if we made a pint of Worthington E last about 3 hours! This would have been circa 1970/71
I haven’t been to Woolwich for a while, although I’m sure I’ll end up there next year when I do the Deserter recommended 51 Bus Micropub tour.
I think the reason divide in Woolwich is so stark really is that they had a clear site to build on. I suspect that won’t last. Sooner or later one side will start to spread into the other.
Moved to Plumstead (SE18) from Eltham(SE9). Before that in Catford (SE6). Grew to love Charlton living in South East London. Love Woolwich up coming area without a doubt. Remember coming to Woolwich with my, then, American girlfriend to have a McDonalds when they opened in 197?. Lived then in Belsize Park.
Military Maternity Hospital - Woolwich Common. Not sure why as my old man wasn't in the military!
NHS had a deal, that hospital would take overspill of emergency cases if no beds available. They diagnosed the issue with my liver before I was taken to Kings for a transplant.
Never lived in Woolwich but remember stumbling upon an old mans type of clothes shop there on the early eighties - full of gabbicci cardigans dirt cheap - they had no idea they were in fashion - was swede and ironmongerymongous - also took me hours to work out the one way system - kept going round in circles on the 161
Born in St Nicks & spent first 4 years in Wickham Lane - the SE18 side - opposite the green that leads up to Bostall Woods.
Then moved to Simmons Road/Brookhill Road in Woolwich and what were new flats then (and new again now). Went to St Peters Primary in Crescent Road & mum ran the playgroup next to St Peters Church. Dad worked for Fords at Plumstead Bridge.
Moved up to Woodlands Estate (again SE18) when I was 9 and been there ever since, going back to Wickham Lane for secondary school at St Paul’s.
Played football for The Castle with @guinnessaddick for a few years and still have a regular beer in The Bull. Like The Equitable, but also the bars behind the wall and also Con Gusto down by the pier.
So. All in all, a bit of Woolwich and a whole load of SE18. Happy both sides of the wall and enjoy the full range of the town.
Edit: except the shite Wetherspoons, which had less white spirit addicts when it was Fads!!!!! 😂
Nan & Grandad lived in one of the high rises at the bottom of frances st. Think you'd be surprised, always used to have a chat with the older residents about if they still go down the valley or memories, when i worked on the woolwich patch. Currently, worked with an apprentice off the glyndon estate & he said he had loads of mates goto the Doncaster & play off games. Remember their was an old peoples home in Vincent road (think it's a school now) & an old fella told me he attended the cup final when we won. So, I do think their are a substantial amount of addicks current or lapsed who are woolwich based.
What is this , Woolwich Addicks or SE18 Addicks? I’m a Plumstead Addick by birth (another one for St. Nicks).
I used to live opposite St. Nicks
Tewson Road, my daughter was born in St Nicks which never closed until 1984. A medical centre and residential properties replaced it 😉. Lived opposite the Casualty sign of the A&E that was built. Left in 76 but parents lived there until end of '80s.
Woolwich is an odd place. Went there last year to see the boat before it got decommissioned (which I know is odd in itself but we are anoraks) anyway... The bit that really surprised me is the wrong side of the tracks (in Woolwich's case the road) where in the side close to the river all very nice, youngs? Pubs and flats for yuppies. So very seperate from the other side which has the woolwich I know, it's a bit rough but more me I guess. Never seen such an obvious divide showing gentrification. Surely something some kid at University could do a thesis on, the changing landscape of London.
It is quite remarkable. Almost apartheid, the way Woolwich Road divides the two.
The Arsenal site has always been separate, of course, but not because of money, unlike now.
It does make me hanker after a wrong side of the tracks Woolwich pub crawl though.
That would be fun, I'm sure.
It's probably the thick end of 30 years, maybe more, since I've drunk (been drunk) in Woolwich and I would like to see how many of my old haunts have changed or no longer there.
I fondly remember the Union Tavern off the back of Macbean Street back in the early/mid70s - it was my local when I was at school!
Live in West Thamesmead (SE28), only 10 minute walk from the Royal Arsenal and 20 mins from the town. Am there most days of the week for something or other.
Never lived in Woolwich but remember stumbling upon an old mans type of clothes shop there on the early eighties - full of gabbicci cardigans dirt cheap - they had no idea they were in fashion - was swede and ironmongerymongous - also took me hours to work out the one way system - kept going round in circles on the 161
Ha, do you remember the name or location of the shop?
Never lived in Woolwich but remember stumbling upon an old mans type of clothes shop there on the early eighties - full of gabbicci cardigans dirt cheap - they had no idea they were in fashion - was swede and ironmongerymongous - also took me hours to work out the one way system - kept going round in circles on the 161
Ha, do you remember the name or location of the shop?
I’m thinking 🎵John Collier, John Collier the window to watch🎵
Halfway along, between Nat west and M&S if they are still there. I used get some clobber from there that would put CL in melt down, My John Starsky (Starsky & Hutch) wrap around cardigan type was bought there. 😂
Woolwich is an odd place. Went there last year to see the boat before it got decommissioned (which I know is odd in itself but we are anoraks) anyway... The bit that really surprised me is the wrong side of the tracks (in Woolwich's case the road) where in the side close to the river all very nice, youngs? Pubs and flats for yuppies. So very seperate from the other side which has the woolwich I know, it's a bit rough but more me I guess. Never seen such an obvious divide showing gentrification. Surely something some kid at University could do a thesis on, the changing landscape of London.
It is quite remarkable. Almost apartheid, the way Woolwich Road divides the two.
The Arsenal site has always been separate, of course, but not because of money, unlike now.
It does make me hanker after a wrong side of the tracks Woolwich pub crawl though.
That would be fun, I'm sure.
It's probably the thick end of 30 years, maybe more, since I've drunk (been drunk) in Woolwich and I would like to see how many of my old haunts have changed or no longer there.
I fondly remember the Union Tavern off the back of Macbean Street back in the early/mid70s - it was my local when I was at school!
Used to use it about then, left the Poly in 71.
Another Poly, boy here!. Love Woolwich, had a few mates that lived in Springfield Grove.
Comments
No it finished in Jan I think. Maintenance issues or something.
This would have been circa 1970/71
Before that in Catford (SE6).
Grew to love Charlton living in South East London.
Love Woolwich up coming area without a doubt.
Remember coming to Woolwich with my, then, American girlfriend to have a McDonalds when they opened in 197?.
Lived then in Belsize Park.
Then moved to Simmons Road/Brookhill Road in Woolwich and what were new flats then (and new again now). Went to St Peters Primary in Crescent Road & mum ran the playgroup next to St Peters Church. Dad worked for Fords at Plumstead Bridge.
Moved up to Woodlands Estate (again SE18) when I was 9 and been there ever since, going back to Wickham Lane for secondary school at St Paul’s.
Played football for The Castle with @guinnessaddick for a few years and still have a regular beer in The Bull. Like The Equitable, but also the bars behind the wall and also Con Gusto down by the pier.
So. All in all, a bit of Woolwich and a whole load of SE18. Happy both sides of the wall and enjoy the full range of the town.
Edit: except the shite Wetherspoons, which had less white spirit addicts when it was Fads!!!!! 😂
Remember their was an old peoples home in Vincent road (think it's a school now) & an old fella told me he attended the cup final when we won.
So, I do think their are a substantial amount of addicks current or lapsed who are woolwich based.