Welcome to 'Plumstead Stories.'

WE NEED YOUR STORIES AND PHOTOS NOW!

I am compiling a book of remembrances of ordinary folk who lived, played, schooled and worked in and around Plumstead, the Common, woods, streets and shops in those distant days around the war years, before, during and after.

Fond memories growing up in Plumstead/Woolwich; of the wonderful environments that we practically lived in as kids. Amongst the hilly streets, the shops, schools and many other places that made this community's unique identity. 
 


I want ordinary folk's stories, and any possible photos, to compile a book telling some of the social history of these  areas; told from their 'grassroots' perspective.

Also any stories from anyone who worked in the Woolwich Arsenal, the Market, the Ferry and the AJS & Matchless Factory etc.

I was born in Sladedale Road, Plumstead, June 1944, two days before 'D Day'. Just as they began throwing over the V I and V II's at us!

I don't remember the war, only growing up after it playing on bomb sites that dotted our areas.

It is a sad fact that as we pass on, these stories are lost. I want to record stories, to preserve our 'grassroots' social history for future generations.

ALSO ... your parents or relatives or friends may have a story to tell, even if it is just a short paragraph, or an event, or something they heard from their folk; perhaps a photo?.

These 'snippets' from folk, especially if accompanied by a photo, are good to relating how it was back in those days. We need photos of early Plumstead/Woolwich showing people, streets, shops, schools, Sunday Schools, Scouts, Cubs, Guides, club events, outings, trips, picnics, firms, family snaps, transport, places ...

Even if you haven't a story to contribute, a photo(s) will do as "every picture tells a story and is worth a thousand words."

We also need any early school reports, any certificates, early driver licenses, coupons etc.' Please email it to:

ceedub@pcowley.my-net-space.net

Or, mail to:

'Stories'
PO Box 15-324
Wellington, 6243
New Zealand.

 

We can piece together your recollections and form them into your story for you. We welcome your recollections.

I made contact, after 50 years, with an old childhood playmate, Bert Hooper, via the Friends Reunited site. Their address is, www.friendsreunited.co.uk
I now live in New Zealand (for the past 31 years).

Bert and I grew up in Sladedale Rd. Bert, now retired, lives in Canada, since emigrating there in 1968. 

Since then we have made contact with other childhood neighbours, schoolmates and friends. They are contributing their stories.

We are trying to locate other childhood friends and neighbours and old schoolmates. If you know the whereabouts of any of the following folk we would dearly love to hear from any of them.

David Morrison, Ken Dors, Brian & Arthur Collins, Johnny Milson, Roy Penwardon all from Sladedale Road, circa 1944 onwards.

Carol & Lenny Dickens and any one that went to Conway Primary School around the years 1949-1955 such as Peter Beezer, Peter Nye, John Button, Alan Stannard, Brian Lynch and also anyone who went to Wickham Lane Sec. Mod. School. 1955 on. (Note: these are how I think their names are spelt.)
There are a lot of other names that I can't recall just now.

Useful links are:

Wikipedia entry for PLUMSTEAD

We are very much indebted to the Plumstead Common Environmental Group (www.pceg.co.uk) for their very generous donation of stories from folk's reminiscences.

Another excellent web site to visit with information on past & present news about Plumstead is wyngrant.tripod.com

Hospital Histories

Greenwich Heritage Centre

The Slade Evangelical Church in Plumstead - DVD celebrating its 125 year history

Kent Online Parish Clerks (mainly for family history information in Plumstead area)

Woolwich London Footprints

Woolwich Dockyard History

Co-op Movement History Go to the publishers web site then click on "Search" then scroll down and click on 'LABOUR HISTORY: Series Two: Minute Books & Papers then select which years you want to read about.

Click here for information on the Princess Alice Disaster from the Thames Police Museum. (many thanks to Lorna Chudasama for the link)

http://www.southlondonguide.co.uk/woolwich/history.htm This starts with Saxon Woolwich "Woolwich may have meant Oport from which wool was shipped." then goes on with historic dates from 1380 (Ferry recorded at Woolwich) to 2001 (Museum of Artillery moved from Rotunda to Firepower in Royal Arsenal). - Lorna Chudasama.

Thank you for visiting 'Plumstead Stories'.

I am very much indebted to my (patient?) friend Peter Cowley, whom, without his continued help and assistance and his computer skills and know how, this book web site could not have been developed, constantly added to, maintained and upgraded.

Many thanks also to Lorna Chudasama for her many invaluable contributions and sourcing of photos and facts etc., for the web site.

Please note;
If you spot any errors, typos, mistakes etc. anywhere amongst the many items and stories featured on my web site, however small, please contact me and let me know. It will be greatly appreciated. Colin

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