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Re: Webb Street

Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 11:27 pm
by kiwi
Webb Street School medical inspection c1939.  X.jpg
Webb Street School medical inspection c1939.

Re: Webb Street

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 1:37 am
by kiwi
Above Posts.
“Fosney wrote:
Can anyone remember these buildings as they resemble Guinness Trust or Peabody Trust Buildings in their design, or were they built by the Railway for railway workers? They were bombed during the war, was this the beginning of their demise?
Perhaps someone can enlighten us as to when, why and how these building disappeared?

As far as I can remember they were built for railway workers and as far as I remember they all survived the bombing during the war.

The small building to the right is Webb Street school corner of Paragon Alley. The building this side of the alley by the lamp post had disappeared along with the rest of the houses ( see Paragon Alley post) by the mid to late 1940s but not sure if they were bombed,though it did look like a bomb-site. Just next to it and further back was Worthing Buildings which was bombed out, I can remember climbing all over that and finding all sorts of things, plus the wallpaper was still on some of the walls, great fun,didn’t think about the danger.

Bit of luck that we have found two pictures that where taken possible on the same day in (1914),one looking down the alley and both showing the same buildings. The large building at the far end of the Alley I think is Barrow,Hepburn & Gales,Grange Mills, Grange Road.


Paragon Alley, Nos 2- 10.  X.png
Paragon Alley from Webb Street 1914.
Webb Street looking towards Tower Bridge Road c1914.   X.jpg
Webb Street looking towards Tower Bridge Road c1914. Fosneys Post.
Hythe Buildings are on the left.

Webb Street 2018. Portsmouth Buildings and Creasy Street were on the right.  X.png
Webb Street 2018

Webb Street 2018. Portsmouth Buildings was on the right,Creasy Street was roughly where the path is on the right. Paragon Alley was just passed the lamp post on the left. Worthing Buildings was on the left roughly where the second lamp post is.Harold Estate is still there at the far end. The large building through the trees is where Guinness’s Buildings were.

I can remember going onto the flat roof of the buildings by Swan Mead with my mates. We Would take a balloon or balloons with water in and wait until someone walked passed then drop the balloons down, (no ladies with prams) Seemed funny at the time, tell you the truth it still does but then I could run away, now I can’t. Mind you I did get a few slaps around the head. ;)

Re: Webb Street

Posted: Sun Aug 25, 2019 6:44 pm
by Fogbrain
Two of the Railway Buildings survive - Arundel, and the one which has shops on the ground floor facing Tower Bridge Road but which doesn't seem to have the name displayed.

They were indeed built by the London, Brighton, & South Coast Railway Company for its employees, but the company also rented many of the flats therein to married policemen (only single policemen were eligible to live in section houses) and their families.

Re: Webb Street

Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2020 12:02 pm
by rodebdon
I remember the Railway Buildings well as we used what was left of Worthing Buildings as a playground and used to have one of the rooms as a makeshift club house. Its ironic that the only one left now Arondale Building was also badly damaged by fire which must have been caused incendiary bombs. The one on Tower Bridge Road is also still standing.
It annoys me that so much of the Bermondsey we remember has been pulled down by the Council, who seem to have no conception of the historic and cultural value of them. Not to sure when the undamaged ones were puled down, it seems this was done to make room for the playground that is now there.
I’m sorry l have not posted much recently on this great site. l was talking to my brother this morning, he was surprised to see the very early picture of Webb Street School and that it was right on the street and not back as we remember it,

Re: Webb Street

Posted: Thu May 21, 2020 2:02 am
by kiwi
Paragon Alley,Nos. 12-28.   X.png
12-28 Paragon Alley c1914
Paragon Alley,Webb Street, Nos.11-14, 1914.  X.png
11-19 Paragon Alley c1914.

Re: Webb Street

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2022 1:37 am
by kiwi
So long ago since I lived and went to Webb Street School (1947) so I hope I get this right.
Webb Street is just to the left, Worthing Buildings were just in front and was a bomb site back then. Between the next building right, Webb Street School, was Paragon Alley. The furthest buildings faced onto Tower Bridge Road.
I think that is Brighton Buildings on the left, as it looks as though it is in line with The Pagoda Pub, if not the buildings before Brighton were Hastings Buildings. The chimney in the distance is Hartley’s Jam factory.
Webb Street, Hasting Buildings left, Worthing Buildings was in front, (Bomb). Looking towards Tower Bridge Road.  X..png
Webb Street.

Re: Webb Street

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 10:26 pm
by Fogbrain
rodebdon wrote:l was talking to my brother this morning, he was surprised to see the very early picture of Webb Street School and that it was right on the street and not back as we remember it,
The original school building was demolished and a larger one built, around 1912 I think.

Re: Webb Street

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 5:22 pm
by rodebdon
I remember going to the medical room at Webb Street, a nurse who would be referred to as Nitty Nora who would check our heads for lice.

Re: Webb Street

Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2023 1:52 am
by kiwi
rodebdon wrote:I remember going to the medical room at Webb Street, a nurse who would be referred to as Nitty Nora who would check our heads for lice.


Remember these combes Rod, boy did they hurt when they dug into your head. :o
Nitty Nora Nitt Combe 1940s.  X.png
Nitty Nora Combe 1940s.

Re: Webb Street

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2023 2:24 pm
by rodebdon
Ouch, l just felt that digging into my head.