Bermondseys Trams
How many of you remember the Trams in Bermondsey? Route 68 Greenwich to Waterloo Station or perhaps Route 70 Greenwich to London Bridge / Tooley Street and before that the Horse tram that served Southwark Park Road and Galleywall Road but that is even before my time.
Today we look at the tram as part of our bygone history like the leather trade, but what of the relics of this bygone era? What is left for us to see and what can we still find? Alas the relics are few and far between but they are there, so do you know of any?
Trams were inroduced to the aea in about 1861 and were horse drawn and each vehicle was serviced by some 11 horses throughout the working day and together they covered some 60 miles a day. There was class distinction between the horse drawn bus and tram - the bus being for the middle class while the tram ( with cheaper fares ) was for the lower class.
With the formation of the London County Council in 1889 began the idea of electrification and the LCC began the process of taking control of the Horse Tramways in 1896 and by 1899 had taken over all the principal tramways in South London. So began the massive task of introducing the electric powered condiut lines.
The first began running on the 15 May 1903 and between 1903 and 1914 a large intergrated newtwork had been developed in London and the suburbs - a forerunner of today's bus netwo
Picture of inspection cover from days of the London County Council Tramways probably dates back to 1903 to 1914 period
Can be found at corner of Tooley Street and Fair Street. Part of Bermondsey Tramway History
Last Horse Tram tram to run in South London believed to be taken in Old Kent Road 1913
Number 68 Tram on route to Waterloo Station in Tooley Street at corner with Fair Street near to site of inspection cover
Number 70 Tram at the Tooley Street terminus adjacent to London Bridge Station
Note this tram has not got a front windscreen
Number 70 Tram at the end of the line in Tooley Street with Duke Street Hill behind leading to London Bridge
On the night of 6 July 1952 my Mum took me on one of the last Trams to run. I can't remember which number it was but we travelled up top. Although it was a sad occation it was a good time with lots of merry people milling about. We kept the tickets and my mum (borrowed) one of the light bulbs, I often used this to make papier machet pupets heads (it was a better shape than ordinery light bulbs). The old trams made a lovely sound, electric engine, metal wheels and a clanky sort of sound through points.
In the film "The Port of London", one of the actors gets on one, I think in Tooley Street. Worth haveing a look, It's a good film anyway. It's shot around Bermondsey, The Pool of London and the City.
Those on Bermondsey Boy who are interested in Last Tram week in South London you are recommeded to look at the video of Last Tram Week in South London and highlights the last few days of the Tram in South East London with New Cross and Old Kent Road plus more open website go into films and then "The Elephant will never forget 1953"
http://www.ltmcollection.org/Films/org/f...N=Rxs1260wpkt
I wish my memory was as good as some of the people posting to Bermondseyboy but one hazy memory I have is, in about 1950, my father, Wally Cockerton and my brother Tom, were called up for jury service for a coroner's court. It was about an accident near the Bricklayers Arms, in Great Dover Street I think, in which a pedestrian was killed getting on or off a tram and was hit by a motorcycle. It sounds bizarre but I think the motorcyclist was Japanese and his companion on the bike a blonde woman. I believe the verdict was accidental death.
cfred
This could be the place you are thinking of, a 46 Tram in Great Dover Street with the junction with Bricklayers Arms. The Old Library is on the left and a large shop on the corner of Tower Brige Road but I cant recall the name but know doubt Bemondsey Boy will tell us?
Hi Fosney
What a great picture, the Library, such a work of art, like a castle.
I have tried to find out some of the shop names but alas have drawn a blank.
I fear that i was a little to young, only one year old? in 1950 maybe i was in one of those Prams.
The shop on the right of your picture, just behind the three men at the lamp post is something like
Edmund Woodrich or Goodrich? but i don't know what they sold?
I'm hoping some of our more mature readers may be able to help?
Cheers
Bermondseyboy
The Bricklayers Arms as it used to be The Express Dairy next to the pub the Globe Cinema behind the tram and to the right the front of the Old Kent Picture house can just be seen note the other shops in the distance
Hi Fosney
Did you check out this picture and write up?
Trying to find out if the Globe was ever a Pub?
Bermondseyboy
Hi Bermondsey Boy
The Old Ordnance Survey of 1914 shows shows the area on which the Globe Theatre stood as a Picture Theatre perhaps an earlier map might show us what stood there prior to the cinema
Joe Foster
Hi Bermondsey Boy
Have found on the internet that the Globe Electric Theatre opened its doors in 1910 so you could be right about it being a pub prior to this ?
Joe Foster
Hi Bermondsey Boy
Have found on the internet that the Globe Electric Theatre opened its doors in 1910 so you could be right about it being a pub prior to this ?
Joe Foster
-fosney
Hi guys,
The Globe Electric Theatre was on the east side corner of Aberdour Street (which was formally John Street).
The 1859 Kellys Post Office directory gives this location occupied by Martin Thomas - Undertaker (although there is a Richard Drapper - Beer Retailer, a few doors further along). The 1894 directory shows it to be No.59 Arthur William Waters - Butcher. The 1914 directory doesn't show any propriortors names until No. 63 Mills & Co - Tobacconists which may be explained by the Globe Theatre having been built on the former premises of 59/61. No sign of a pub between the Bricklayers Arms & Leroy Street.
Hi Fosney
What a great picture, the Library, such a work of art, like a castle.
I have tried to find out some of the shop names but alas have drawn a blank.
I fear that i was a little to young, only one year old? in 1950 maybe i was in one of those Prams.
The shop on the right of your picture, just behind the three men at the lamp post is something like
Edmund Woodrich or Goodrich? but i don't know what they sold?
I'm hoping some of our more mature readers may be able to help?
Cheers
Bermondseyboy
-bermondseyboy
Kellys Post Office Directories show Edmund Richard Goodrich in 1894 as "oilman" and 1914 as "grocer"
Regards
Freddie
