Welcome to ‘Plumstead Stories.’

THE BOOK IS NOW READY

‘Common Folk’ is one book consisting of two large volumes packed with lots of early stories and photos.

‘'Common Folk’ is a nostalgic look back in time through this large collection of stories and photographs to a time when life was a lot slower but also, all too often, a lot harder. When it was harder to make ends meet, the depression, the war years, rationing, and poverty but also stories of happier times, when folk got by on much less and appreciated things a lot more.

This large brand new book has just been published. It is an important piece of social history.
A very large collection of stories and photos, as told by ordinary folk, in their own words, about what life was like for them and their families in the Plumstead and Woolwich districts in those now far off bygone days. This book was previously sold in two separate volumes. For convenience volume one & two are now printed combined into the new format of one large book.

This heavy book combines the two large volumes into this one big book, but because I have printed these books myself to keep costs down to a minimum this big two volume book is still very reasonably priced even though I have to post it from New Zealand.

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Here are some unsolicited reviews:

“I am just on finishing reading mine but I think that I shall read them many more times in the future. I think people that read these books will come up with lots more things that have been lost in their minds.
Thank you for bringing back some wonderful memory's and some very sad ones.”
John Miles.

“He said that the books showed him a side of life that he never thought really existed, except that which he'd seen in a movie or on BBC Canada.”
Bert Hooper (on a friend's comments about the book)

“ The book has brought so much pleasure to my mother who is delighting in showing all her Church friends, my brother and his children, grandchildren etc.”
Lorna Wilkinson.

“Amazing! what a phenomenal undertaking! We can't put them down.”
Nick Day (Chair Person of the Plumstead Common Environment Group)

“I have started to read the book and I find them very, very interesting, so many great old stories, takes me back to my childhood again ...”
Tony Pitcher.

“What detail and re search ... must have taken you years.”
David Morrison.

“I shall now probably get into severe trouble at home with my head being continuously buried in these two volumes ...”
Roger Jaques.

“Have flicked through the pages and see a marvellous, beautifully done, work of art. Well done ...”
Robert Morris.

“The books arrived today and we are delighted with them ... They are a great way to remember and record so many memories. Thank you for all the hard work you have put into them.”
Beverley Connolly.

“They are fantastic ... thanks for all your efforts. You have ensured your place in the memories of those from 'our' area and will leave a chapter in a period of history that will always be remembered in those who were there.”
Derek Boswell.

“Cannot stop reading. (... and a few tears)”
Bernard Dibble.

“They are WONDERFUL! ... My Mum (91) is thrilled to bits at seeing all that information on her ancestor's birthplace ...
I must say the books are very good value for money.”
Liz Thompson.

“I have started to read the first volume and have had to ration myself as I found it hard to put down.”
Wynne Handley.

How to purchase the book:

The costs are:

Prices above revised on 29 September 2009 due to exchange rate changes.

Payment can only be made by:

- Personal or bank cheque (in YOUR currency) payable to P Cowley

- PayPal to pcowley@paradise.net.nz

- Cash (but it is at your risk!)

Send Cheques and Cash to:
‘Stories’
PO Box 15-324
Wellington 6243
New Zealand


I CANNOT ACCEPT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS!!

Each twol volumebook measures 20 cm wide x 26.5 cm high x 4 cm thick.

The book weighs 1.70 Kg and are soft cover and all images are in black and white.

These are the estimated delivery times from New Zealand

WE still NEED YOUR STORIES AND PHOTOS!

I am now compiling a third volume 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.

Greenwich Mellennium Embroideries

See the millions of stitches depicting 2000 years of people and events in this historic borough of ours.

Friends of Rockliffe Gardens - a group of dedicated folk restoring the once beautiful Rockliffe Gardens.

Shooters Hill - Learn more about this area of our historical and very distinct hill.

Comedy on the Common - Comedy on the Common is recommended by Time Out and local blog sites - Plumsteadshire and Planet Plumstead - and the Plumstead Common Environment Group. Top acts such as Reginald D Hunter (Have I Got News for You) and Bob Mills have performed at the club. The local area has been lacking in entertainment for some time and Comedy on the Common hopes to bridge the gap.

Thank you for visiting ‘Plumstead Stories’.

I am very much indebted to my 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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