A Drive through the ol'Manor Camberwell

September 2014 so much has / is changing, every part of green space is being used for flats, everywhere has parking restrictions, the heart of Camberwell seems to be being ripped out of the ol'place. Pubs used to be the heart of the community but these all seem to be turned into Nigerian Churches or Muslim Centres (Which seems strange to me as Muslims and alcohol don't normally mix?) I love the place dearly but don't like it today :-(

[@marke.blewer1279]

It's always interesting to see someone else's take on an area you know and love. I really enjoyed your tour, not having had a car for years, it showed a different perspective. I lived in Coleman Road, Just off Southampton Way, for sixty three years, after moving from Rainbow Street. Like you, I attended Brunswick Park School, from 1957-1963, after which I joined my brother, at Archbishop Tenison's, at Kennington Oval. I now live in Camberwell New Road. I'm always disappointed when old Camberwell dwellers, come back and knock the place. Sure it's changed, but hasn't everywhere and not all for the better. Unlike you, I stayed for family and personal reasons, I don't regret it. There is still something about the area that holds me there, when my dad died in 1984, we thought about moving out, but stayed where we knew. He, like me, was born and bred in Camberwell, my mum, was an incomer from Bermondsey. When she died in 2015, aged 94, I thought long and hard about moving, should I move to the coast, or the country, but what do I know of either, apart from holidays, I even thought about moving abroad. I decided to stay and don't regret it, because Camberwell, is well served by public transport, I can get up to town, to meet family or friends for a drink and a catch up. My family, mainly live in the Carshalton, Sutton, area and are easily accessible from Denmark Hill, East Dulwich, Loughborough Junction, or The Oval. I can live here without a car, if I moved to the coast, or country, I would need to start driving again and approaching seventy and not having driven for some years, I don't know how confident I would be about that. Thanks once again for your interesting and thought provoking tour of Camberwell.

[@jaslion7218]

Very sentimental . Rarely go back now, so thank you . Changed for the worse now-that’s progress!!. God bless .

[@alannorthdevonuk763]

Thanks for this, it dragged back some memories. I was born at the Elephant and moved to Peckham when I was 8. Remember Rye Lane well and Menzes pie and mash shop. I went to school on Wyndham Rd, you were turning right there, and walked back home to Peckham so I could save my bus fare. I walked through Brunswick Park, past St Giles to Commercial Road and it took me straight home to Bird in Bush Rd. Like the guy below, I joined the Met and went to Carter Street for 4 years in 1975 so all this area, and more was my old ground. If I'm in need of some hair extensions I know where to come now.

[@simonyip5978]

The Commercial Road you're talking about, do you mean the one going from Aldgate to Limehouse? Or is there one in SE London?

[@Mallorcaexplorer2308]

Learnt to swim there in Camberwell baths went to st Michaels años all angels Wyndham road.

[@tedandbrenda1]

So enjoyed this. I grew up in John Ruskin Street,SE5, from 1940 until I married in 1964, You passed St Giles where i went to school at nearby Wilson;'s Grammar.. Sadly, i had difficulty recognising the area, having not been there for over 50 years.

[@DPG214]

Thanks, Joe. I was a copper there in the late 1980s. I'm saddened to see so much gone. I emigrated in 2000 and have never been back to the old manor since 1990. I always liked Evalina Mansions - a nice little self-contained space with character that place; and I remember a famous / prolific youth burglar in Edmund Street.

[@JoebluntUK]

You're probably referring to Terry Birkett :-)

[@DPG214]

@@JoebluntUK Ask no questions, tell no lies....;)

[@tonystone3397]

Great vid, well done. We left Camberwell in 1982, it was great to see The Hermits Cave again, that was me old dads pub, and we used The Kerfield Arms around the corner, and sometimes The Grove Tavern, happy days, but I wouldn't live there now.

[@patrickeffiom97]

Why not?

[@StephenK4STA]

Cheers Joe, Brought back a lot of memory's. The area has changed so much. Do miss Camberwell all my dad's side of the family are from Camberwell

[@1954stag]

Nice drive round my old estate, went to Brunswick park school in the 60’s. lived in drink water house opposite.

[@slimwalk708]

Evelina Mansions has been standing since 1901. Brunswick Park School, Ayton House and The Rose pub. Great video.

[@chansfor]

Interesting Joe. My Dad had a family Confectionery business on Southampton Way, Handy Confectionery. It was near Samuel Jones but I believe it all got pulled down around the same time Samuel Jones did. I worked there in school holidays when I was 16 so 1964 ish. I can't figure out exactly where it used to be but the back of the business faced a high-Rise block. Thanks for the video.

[@maysloman5313]

I was just waiting to see if you would mention Kennedy's on the corner at Camberwell Green. I worked at Camberwell Green in the 90's with older people with Dementia We often did reminiscent sessions,Talked about Edward's were you could rent a bike for the day. The music halls and cinemas. Also trams and going down hopping in Kent.

[@returnofthegmac9203]

I lived on Dalwood St went Oliver Goldsmiths mums mum and dad lived in Lackanel flats dad's mum and dad Maywood house opposite St Giles Church mum and dad were married at that church. Ain't been that way since 1980. Thanks for the good memories. Dad used to own the Greengrocers opposite the Marlborough pub off Dalwood st. You probably knew him George Macnally

[@akaNOCTURN]

*Mayward

[@lorraineinglis2630]

i grow up round there joe i went to oliver goldsmith school and peckham girls in 1970/80 good times then

[@diceyr6056]

I used to go to Peckham Manor about the same time.

[@returnofthegmac9203]

Me too 1977 too 83 at Oliver

[@carltondyer9822]

i lived in the block next to you on benhill road for over 30 years back from 1965 back in the day it was great you know ginger brian

[@danielchattington2110]

Brian Watson

[@johnlong8082]

Great vid. My entire family come from this area. My mum used to work in Samuel Jones’ as a packer just after the war. All my relations have now moved out of London, shame really. Kennedy’s sausages were a staple food for me as a kid. My last abode in London was on the Bonamy Estate, Bermondsey…enough said. Lol

[@kristinaspencer2037]

I recognise the street names but that's it! Thanks for the memories though.

[@chiggaz06]

2021 update: u can't access the elmington as you did no more. Traffic blockers/road closers at havil st entry point and at benhill elmington junction. Care home now under redevelopment And lastly....... The Pub is NO MORE, its new build of hses Oo n u cant make that last right outta the estate.

[@JoebluntUK]

Shame really, so much has changed, our memories erased by redevelopment :-(

[@Seal00754]

Don't know how a three-wheeler would handle the speed bumps. Sad so much History and good times. Life was hard.

[@returnofthegmac9203]

It was hard mate but everyone pulled together back then didn't they and everyone knew eachother. I actually miss them days Moved from the area 84

[@thomasholmes3104]

HAPPY MEMORIES OF 17 YEARS IN Camberwell gives me back some pride Good Lad .

[@slydoll7877]

I left in 2004....I'd like to go back but a bit scared it will not look the same!

[@thelibrarian46]

Hello. It is interesting that you mention people prepared to are now being crammed in to small spaces in new buildings, no doubt out of the financial reach of many who would once have lived here, in council housing and flats.. These were built following the Second World War, with the aim of providing light and green space, to replace the bomb damaged and overcrowded housing conditions, as part of the post war social consensus to building a better Britain following the creation of the Welfare State in 1948..

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

morning!

[@bbcisrubbish]

My Mum's family were all born in Harris Street. My Aunt lived there until it was bombed in the early 40s. (It was pronounced ARRY Street).

[@grasla1]

Was you a DJ back in the day with a red Ford Sierra with trailer box..?

[@themassofmen]

I hear your sadness. I feel the same when I return, which is rare now. You might be interested in my book Camberwell Boy which I think you will relate to. Cheers for the video.

[@y2slapyy355]

Why your being racist towards Nigerians About not giving your money in and huh and laughing

[@theblindfoldep]

NIce tour, I enjoyed it. I hate to say this but you are as much to blame for the (negative, as you say) changes that you report because you and a huge percentage of your generation (plus therefore their children and grandchildren) upped and left London. The area today reflects the needs of the current population as they are the ones that have to live and work there now. You no longer pay Council Tax or Rates to Southwark Council and they represent the new locals, not folk who live in Kent. You can't expect it to be kept as it was when it was your "heyday", whenever that may have been (the 60's?). Camberwell was changing before you and I were born and will continue to do so when we're gone. Pubs are closing because people sit in front of the TV with 1000 channels and the internet. I'm a white British male that lived in Camberwell in the 90's near the massive estates of Nth Peckham, Camden, Gloucester Grove, Elmington etc and the improvements since then have been immensely positive.

[@tonystone3397]

Shit hole now

[@akaNOCTURN]

Gammon