Constant readers and members will know we have been pushing very hard to publicise the work down by Richard Hartree on the great Penn works in Blackheath Hill. And Richard has been to speak to us twice about it.
He is doing it again at Lewisham Local History Society - 'The Penns of Lewisham' 7.45 Methodist Church Hall, Albion Way, SE13.
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Walk London - The Royal Arsenal to Greenwich
Members of the Greenwich Industrial History Society (and others) might be interested in a walk on Sunday, 27th September at 11am.
Ian Bull, a walk leader for 'Walk London' is hosting. Please meet outside Woolwich Arsenal station for a historical walk along the Thames Path from The Royal Arsenal to Greenwich. The walk is just over 7.5 miles long and has no set finish time although it is expected to last about four to five hours. Photographs to illustrate the route over the past 50 years or so will be on hand. These have been provided by The Greenwich Heritage Centre. A packed lunch may be advisable but a visit to the Thames Barrier's café en route is an option.
This cannot be an in depth investigation into local history but the weather forecast is excellent and the walk might make a pleasant if familiar stroll. The walk is free and there's no need to to pre-book. All are very welcome to contact Ian in advance for further information.
Unfortunately it will not be possible to have a close look at the Royal Arsenal's buildings due to an event on the site.
OBO Ian Bull
Tel: 020 7223 3572
eMail: ianbull@btinternet.com
The walk appears on Walk London's website at...
<http://www.walklondon.org.uk/our_events_forthcoming.asp>
Walk London is a partnership of all the London Boroughs. Financed by Transport for London it is led by The Corporation of the City of London.
Ian Bull, a walk leader for 'Walk London' is hosting. Please meet outside Woolwich Arsenal station for a historical walk along the Thames Path from The Royal Arsenal to Greenwich. The walk is just over 7.5 miles long and has no set finish time although it is expected to last about four to five hours. Photographs to illustrate the route over the past 50 years or so will be on hand. These have been provided by The Greenwich Heritage Centre. A packed lunch may be advisable but a visit to the Thames Barrier's café en route is an option.
This cannot be an in depth investigation into local history but the weather forecast is excellent and the walk might make a pleasant if familiar stroll. The walk is free and there's no need to to pre-book. All are very welcome to contact Ian in advance for further information.
Unfortunately it will not be possible to have a close look at the Royal Arsenal's buildings due to an event on the site.
OBO Ian Bull
Tel: 020 7223 3572
eMail: ianbull@btinternet.com
The walk appears on Walk London's website at...
<http://www.walklondon.org.uk/our_events_forthcoming.asp>
Walk London is a partnership of all the London Boroughs. Financed by Transport for London it is led by The Corporation of the City of London.
Keskerdh Kernow 500
We've been sent a copy of this wonderful book about Cornwall - a lot of it is about the March to Blackheath - isn't there a plaque up on the wall of Greenwich park? At the end of the March the marchers made the Blackheath Declaration - which was basically about Cornish rights (they wanted a Development Agency and stuff like that). Anyway its a great book with lots of interesting stuff in it - happy to lend it out but it would be important to get it back.
Now - why were we sent it? One of the most important people in the great history of Cornish industry, mining technology and engineering was Richard Trevithick. He pioneered much steam engine technology and designed one of the earliest Locomotives (there are great accounts of his first steaming through the streets of Cambourne). He has very tangible links with south east London, since he ended his days working for J.&E.Hall and is buried in Dartford.
One of the most important things which happened to his work on steam engine design - and something which can claim to be a milestone in steam engine technology - was the explosion of a boiler in one of his new high pressure engines in 1803. Where did this take place?? Why, on the Greenwich Peninsula just down near the river from the Pilot.
I wrote this up, to a somewhat cool reception, for the bi-centenary of this event - and I had also found the inquest report for one of the victims who died in St.Thomas's hospital. Anyway, two weeks ago I met a Cornish industrial historian and sent him a copy of my article. He has replied with multiple thanks - very very keen to know where it was that it happened and - as a thank you has sent this wonderful book.
So - who remembers the march?
Now - why were we sent it? One of the most important people in the great history of Cornish industry, mining technology and engineering was Richard Trevithick. He pioneered much steam engine technology and designed one of the earliest Locomotives (there are great accounts of his first steaming through the streets of Cambourne). He has very tangible links with south east London, since he ended his days working for J.&E.Hall and is buried in Dartford.
One of the most important things which happened to his work on steam engine design - and something which can claim to be a milestone in steam engine technology - was the explosion of a boiler in one of his new high pressure engines in 1803. Where did this take place?? Why, on the Greenwich Peninsula just down near the river from the Pilot.
I wrote this up, to a somewhat cool reception, for the bi-centenary of this event - and I had also found the inquest report for one of the victims who died in St.Thomas's hospital. Anyway, two weeks ago I met a Cornish industrial historian and sent him a copy of my article. He has replied with multiple thanks - very very keen to know where it was that it happened and - as a thank you has sent this wonderful book.
So - who remembers the march?
Saturday, 19 September 2009
Stench pipes in Lambeth
According to the current SLAS newsletter Lambeth Council are to preserve two stench pipes in Norwood. I am not sure what and if we have any in Greenwich. Perhaps we should all look and see - such things are only too easily lost.
This is taken from the current edition of the excellent newsletter of the Southwark and Lambeth Archaeological Society. It also contains an article about the Greenwich Tide Mill recently discovered at Lovells Wharf. We would be happy to scan this and reproduce it here if SLAS wouldn't object.
SLAS meetings are held at 106 The Cut, 7.30 and future events include:
October 13th - Recent Excavations at Merton Priory
10th November - work on Syon House and its Brigintine Monastry
8th December - Music and Musicians in Southwark and Lambeth
9th February - The Elephant Entertains
They also note
5th October - Malcolm Tucker and Tim Smith speaking about Kings Cross Railway Goods Yard at the Rugby Tavern, Rugby Street, W1. 8.00 - both Tim and Malcolm have spoken to GIHS and this is an amazing subject. Highly recommended
This is taken from the current edition of the excellent newsletter of the Southwark and Lambeth Archaeological Society. It also contains an article about the Greenwich Tide Mill recently discovered at Lovells Wharf. We would be happy to scan this and reproduce it here if SLAS wouldn't object.
SLAS meetings are held at 106 The Cut, 7.30 and future events include:
October 13th - Recent Excavations at Merton Priory
10th November - work on Syon House and its Brigintine Monastry
8th December - Music and Musicians in Southwark and Lambeth
9th February - The Elephant Entertains
They also note
5th October - Malcolm Tucker and Tim Smith speaking about Kings Cross Railway Goods Yard at the Rugby Tavern, Rugby Street, W1. 8.00 - both Tim and Malcolm have spoken to GIHS and this is an amazing subject. Highly recommended
Friday, 18 September 2009
First Master Founder
The new Woolwich Antiquarians Newsletter comes with news of the launch of a new book = "Andreas Schalch, First Master Founder of the Royal Brass Foundry, Woolwich.'. This is by {at and Tony Fawcett and can be obtained from them at 86 St.Mary Street, SE18 for $6.50 plus £2 post and packing.
It would be really good if someone would like to review it and submit to this blog.
The newsletter lists forthcoming Woolwich Antiquarian meetings - the next is on October 10th and features Jim Marriot in a Celebration of Woolwich Town Hall. 2.15 Charlton House.
It would be really good if someone would like to review it and submit to this blog.
The newsletter lists forthcoming Woolwich Antiquarian meetings - the next is on October 10th and features Jim Marriot in a Celebration of Woolwich Town Hall. 2.15 Charlton House.
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
September in the Garden...
Fall is on the way; I love this time of year.... It's still getting hotter during the day than I would like, but I love the cool crisp mornings :) The garden is still going strong; looking great--check out the pics
The front yard; one of my sculptures by the pond :) 
Another one on the other side of the pond: check out the pomps on the pompass grass!
Kitty on the fence; on the only bare spot; the rest has been taken over by cucumber vines & tiny melon vines :)
The back veggie patch; only a few sunflowers left; I've been cutting the spent plants down to get more sunlight in: next year I wont let them get quite so carried away... 
Over on the wild side...
Purple morning glories have taken over the little sculpture :) And the roses that I thought I killed are finally coming back (not sure I'm happy about that)
Beans---I swear this is a magic beanstock :)
Beanstock flowers; sooo pretty :)
And the front garden patch: so much better than the lawn that used to be there....
My favorite sunflowers; I wish all of them were this color.....
Thats all for now; got more projects to work on :)
Amber
Friday, 11 September 2009
members notice
the next meeting of Greenwich Industrial History Society is on Tuesday 15th at the Old Bakehouse, Bennet Park, as usual and will feature Mary Mills on The Hills of Greenwich - this is really about how Frank Hills became a 19th century multi-millionaire by a number of means - gas works, battleships, patents........
It seems very likely that the Syriol site (Tunnel Glucose, Tate and Lyle, Amylum, or whatever) is being cleared and that the silos are to be demolished. It would be good to think we could get in and have a look before it goes. If you think you could help email me back - and I will see if anything is possible.
Anyway - last week Barbara Ludlow, who has contributed so much to Greenwich history celebrated her 80th birthday - I'm happy to pass any good wishes on.
It seems very likely that the Syriol site (Tunnel Glucose, Tate and Lyle, Amylum, or whatever) is being cleared and that the silos are to be demolished. It would be good to think we could get in and have a look before it goes. If you think you could help email me back - and I will see if anything is possible.
Anyway - last week Barbara Ludlow, who has contributed so much to Greenwich history celebrated her 80th birthday - I'm happy to pass any good wishes on.
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