BermondseyBoy

Bobby Hamilton.

My brother Bob entered one of the talent competitions at the Trocadero and came second. I remember that a group won, which was not surprising as at that time Rock-n-Roll was all the rage and ballad singers were not as popular (late 1950s) My brother sang the song IF, a Perry Como song and was asked to go back the next night and sing the same song, which he did. They asked him if he would like to go on tour with the organisers of the show, just as a singer in-between the big acts. Great opportunity but after talking to his other half who wasn’t too keen, which you can understand, he decided to turn it down. I often wondered in later years what he thought and if he regretted that decision. Bobby worked as a docker in Tooley Street & Surrey Docks; he was also a singer in many of the local pubs, going under the name of Robby Dare. Sadly Bob passed away on Tuesday 17th December 2013, R.I.P bruv.

This lodging house opened in 1913 as the epitome of the new hostels for working women housing for single low-waged working women. It was the Capital’s largest when built, accommodating 214 women in single cubicles and a further 46 in double bedrooms or 'special' rooms.

Driscoll House 2017, is a Grade II listed building. It first opened as an "Ada Lewis House"

LIBRARY

BEDROOM

A Programme for an annual Benefit for the Elephant and Castle Theatre manager, Ernest E Norris, who managed the Theatre from 1904 to 1906 in the absence of the lessee and manager Henry Vassall d'Esterre who owned it from 1888 to 1908.

Elephant & Castle.The Auditorium and Stage of the Coronet Theatre in 2013 - Photo M.L

The Hand In Hand Pub, 2008 was situated at 37 Meadow Row, runs off New Kent Road into Rockingham Street.

Trocadero,Elephant & Castle.

Elephant & Castle, Buddy Holly backstage at the Trocadero, March 1958.

I wonder if both orchestra’s played on that night I bet it was a bit crowded in that pit.

I think that is St Matthews Church by Meadow Row on the right. It closed in 1980 and was demolished in 1992. On the left is Crossway United Reformed Church.

New Kent Road, looking towards the Elephant & Castle.

New Kent Road SE1. c.1905, Crossway Central Mission Dinner Time.