Members of Greenwich Historical Society may be interested to learn of the recent publication of this book: Doors of London: Styles, Stories, Art & Architecture first published, November 2024, by house historian Melanie Backe-Hansen with photographs by Cath Harries, is an anthology of 500 doors ‘selected for their bold colour, interesting design or historical significance’. As its title suggests, it is London-wide in its scope, and features doors of all sorts dating from medieval times to the modern-day. Some have distinct associations with individuals or events, others are included simply for their elegance, grace or curiosity. Tall, short, single, double, polished, graffiti-ed, famous or unknown, they are all portals into the past. Together they comprise a wonderful and intriguing compendium, leaving one glad that they have been brought to our attention.

One chapter, Chapter 8, is dedicated to Greenwich in particular – along with Deptford, Lewisham, New Cross and Blackheath. Some of the doors featured in these localities include:

• The Old Royal Naval College
• The Royal Observatory’s Meridian Building
• St Alfege Church
• Highbridge Wharf (Nos 6, 8 and 10)
• The Junk Shop, South Street
• Warwick Leadlay Gallery, 1 Nelson Arcade
• Houses on Crooms Hill (No 5 and one other)
• Houses on Ballast Quay  (Nos 14 and 16)
• Houses on Nevada Street (No.10) 
• The Rangers House
• The Prince of Greenwich, Royal Hill
• Eltham Palace
• Deptford High Street (various)
• Albury Street (Nos 27, 29, 35 and 40)
• The Dog and Bell

The book retails at £25.00 but the publisher, Sheldrake Press, offers GHS members a discount of 15% and free postage using the discount code 74LD1225. More details of the book can be found here.

Greenwich Council is canvassing our opinion as to the possible use of the Woolwich Barracks when they are redeveloped after the army (apart from the King’s Troop) moves out in 2028.

Surely a part of the site would make an excellent headquarters for the Borough’s Archive and Museum, rescuing it from its present obscurity at Anchorage Wharf. It is located in the heart of the Borough, spacious, relatively easily accessed and (despite what is claimed in the text) safe from flooding.

You may note in the blurb preceding the questionnaire, the following statement:

“Any proposed development or changes of use must make a positive contribution to the distinctive character and heritage of the site, and improve connectivity with the surrounding area.”

Let’s try to hold them to this. Please open document by clicking on the link below.

It doesn’t take very long to complete – maybe 10 minutes according to how much you may wish to elaborate basic statements. Please note however, all submissions must be made SOON. The closing date is MARCH 17th.

http://royalgreenwichplanning.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/woolwich-barracks-survey/step1

MAGIC LANTERN SPECTACULAR !! Some footage (courtesy of Andy M) of our meeting last night at the Trafalgar Tavern. Thanks to Jeremy, Carolyn and Costas for a magical and memorable evening.

WEDNESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER

 Doors open 7pm, talk commences 7.30.

THE TRAFALGAR TAVERN, PARK ROW, GREENWICH, SE10 9NW

The Greenwich Historical Society’s autumn lecture programme commences on Wednesday 27 September with a celebration of the glorious memory of Ann Broadbent, the Queen of Crooms Hill, whose death in February was a hugely significant moment in the history of our town. Ann’s departure marks the end of an era: the passing of old Bohemian Greenwich. Ann arrived at 14 Crooms Hill in 1956 and for the next seven decades her generosity of spirit and creativity were the vital spark in the cultural and social landscape of Greenwich, embracing an unerring eye for colour and pattern, skilful artistry for baroque juxtaposition, celebrated garden parties and memorable tours of her magnificently decorated house. 

I am delighted that our guest speaker will be Dr Olivia Horsfall Turner, Senior Curator of Architecture and Design at the Victoria and Albert Museum, whose article on Ann’s house for The World of Interiors can be viewed here to whet your appetite:

https://www.worldofinteriors.com/story/crooms-hill-ann-broadbent

TO CELEBRATE ANN’S LOVE OF PARTIES, VISITORS ARE INVITED TO DRESS COLOURFULLY!

Members of the Greenwich Historical Society admitted free.

We warmly welcome visitors from whom we invite a donation of £3.

Bus routes 129, 177, 188, 286, 386 run along Trafalgar Road.
Free car parking after 6.30 in the Park Row car park.

22 MARCH 2023. Following our (traditionally brief) AGM this evening, ANTHONY CROSS will give as this year’s President’s Address, ‘THE HORRIBLE AFFAIR: The Bomb in Greenwich Park, February 1894’.

The bomb that exploded in Greenwich Park in February 1894, killing the perpetrator, lies at the heart of Joseph Conrad’s novel ‘The Secret Agent’ (1907). Drawing on various contemporary sources, Anthony seeks to reveal the facts that Conrad later wove into fiction. In fact, the real bomber died without uttering a word of explanation as to his motive. Anthony will also explore some of the theories that might throw light on this mysterious incident.

The meeting is held at James Wolfe School, Royal Hill Campus, Greenwich SE10 8RZ. Doors open at 7.15. Our AGM will commence at 7.30; the talk starts at approximately 8.00, and concludes at 9.00pm. We welcome non-members, from whom we invite a donation of £3 for each meeting.

The venue is well served by public transport. Bus routes 177, 180, 199 and 386 run along Greenwich High Road (at the bottom of Royal Hill). Bus routes 129, 188 and 286 serve nearby Greenwich town centre, and Greenwich Mainline Railway Station and Greenwich DLR are a short walk away.

There is free car parking after 6.30pm in the Burney Street car park (behind Greenwich Picturehouse).

The excellent exhibition exploring the life and work of Sir William Beatty continues at the Old Royal Naval College until 25 March 2023. If you haven’t already visited, don’t miss the opportunity to see it and learn more about the remarkable man who attended to Lord Nelson in his final moments.

Explore the fascinating – and sometimes grisly – life and work of renowned 19^th-century naval surgeon and physician, Sir William Beatty. Marking 200 years since Beatty took up his post as Physician to the Royal Hospital for Seamen in Greenwich, now the Old Royal Naval College, the exhibition features a range of objects including a replica of Nelson’s life mask, Beatty’s own medical chest and 18^th and 19^th century surgical instruments.

Step on-board a replica of the cockpit of the HMS Victory complete with the sights, smells and sounds of a make-shift medical bay. Learn about the surgical practice of Nelson’s Navy and how improved medical knowledge helped to save more lives at sea.

Parental discretion advised. This exhibition is not recommended for children aged 10 or younger.

Blood & Battle: Dissecting the Life of William Beatty

This is a reminder that on Wednesday 23 November we welcome Katie Oakley to GHS to share with us her book, ‘Yours, La’ – Wartime letters from a mother to her only son written between 1943 and 1945’.

As Katie says in her introduction:“Imagine saying goodbye to your 21-year-old son as he goes away to war. Little do you know that he’ll be fighting on the frontline for years. Meanwhile you are left behind, queuing for rations, becoming homeless, after a flying bomb attack and doing your utmost to keep everyone’s spirits up.

This selection of letters, written by La and sent from the family home in Beaconsfield Road, Blackheath, to her son John, vividly describes living through World War Two in London from 1943 to 1945, her reactions to events and her views on the war. John carefully kept all the letters, despite living in extreme conditions while fighting in the North African, Italian, and Greek campaigns.Many letters from soldiers to their families back home have survived, but few the other way round.”

Venue: James Wolfe Primary School, Royal Hill, Greenwich, SE10 8RZ.

Time: Doors are open at 7.00pm, the meeting will begin at 7.30pm