London Districts: Ladywell (Documentary)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ladywell is a south east London district in the London Borough of Lewisham. It merges seamlessly into Brockley, Crofton and Lewisham.

After Ladywell Leisure Centre was pulled down in 2014, the council commissioned use of the land in 2016 with this colourful pop-up village housing 24 homeless people. It'll stay here for 2 more years before they simply dismantle it and move it elsewhere in the borough. This kind of portable village is unprecedented in the UK.

H E Olby & Co is a family owned independent Builders Merchants that has been trading since 1912 offering top quality building supplies.

The Grade II-listed Victorian Ladywell Playtower began life as Ladywell Baths in 1884. Curzon won the bid to refresh the site as a 3-screen Cinema with new restaurants and housing.

Ladywell Station opened in 1857 and 20 years later, major expansion kicked off when they replaced the almost lonesome structure of Bridge House, its accompanying farm and the surrounding wasteland.

The title Ladywell pretty much explains itself as the original site of ‘ye well of our ladye (the Virgin Mary) at Lewisham’ or more simply, Our Lady's Well; one of two springs on Ladywell Road erected in the late 1400's. Both were considered holy with healing powers. Pilgrims on their way to Canterbury drank from them for medicinal purposes and they were used until 1855 before they were inevitably covered over with development.

Ladywell shares the Hilly Fields park with Brockley but has its own exclusive public park in the form of Ladywell Fields. It's made up of of three fields about a mile long collectively and features the River Ravensbourne, several sport courts and a popular athletics track used mostly by local schools and clubs.

The main shopping area, Ladywell Village, was improved in 2013 using Transport for London funding to make the pavements wider, plant more trees and add parking bays for visitors. The residents of Ladywell tend to be relatively young and well-educated.

The oldest building in the borough is St Mary's Church. It was also created in dedication to Mary around the same time as her Well. The medieval tower section is more than 500 years old.

If you want a popular venue for live underground music with an eclectic range of bands to get you moving, The Fox and Firkin will suffice. One night they'll have a dub session and the next night could be a Blues band or anything in between. They throw parties and BBQs and have this pizza place in their garden called Innit Dough!

[luvuforeverjames]

My family lived in Ladywell, my mum, dad and older brother and sister moved with me at aged 4 months into a 3 bedroomed terraced house in malyons road which had belonged to my dad's late mother. Our back garden overlooked the railway lines and the park was just behind it. I remember many a night hearing the clickety clack of a train as it made its way down the track and it would occasionally stop on the tracks outside our bedroom windows. I would watch the lights of the carriages move off around the room as they reflected on our bedroom wall....I would find this strangely comforting and the sounds of the train moving off with that familiar sound, clickety clack, clickety clack. It would help me fall asleep listening to this. Brings back many memories of my childhood, especially now that both my mum and dad are gone.

[raymondfitzgerald-kuhl]

I lived in Ladywell in 96, before moving to Blackheath.

[Grey_matter]

Loved this one! I agree, the transition from day to night really expands the towns vibe and features. Great work as always!!!

[rajwantkaur]

Ladywell is home since 1993.
A decent place to live and work. ❤

[BOBBY-jqmb]

My Brother brilliant video, i've lived in ladywell since 1970 from Telegraph hill with my Mother, Brothers & Sisters, Wearside Road it was a wonderful community then i love the Borough.

[greyhoundracing]

Wonderfull memories of Ladywell great work Dewyne really enjoy these videos 👍

[EliteXtasy]

Terrific video. You should definitely do more day to night videos like this one now that winter's coming.

[IAMAMBERLYRA]

Love your videos.... they are so informative and make me want to come home to S.E.London

[martinhawkins]

Your videos are wonderful thanks I'm in Spain so I miss Lewisham area

[himmakhan]

I'd been there for only 2 weeks (stayed in a host family), but it was enough to fall in love with this place. I lived in Slagrove place and travelled by train every day. I love that time))) 2017, November 💜

[edthedruid]

I spent much of my youth and adult life in Ladywell.I now live in Rural Saskatchewan Canada.Your Vids are superb and always remind me of the "Old Manors".Good work mate, keep them coming

[belle]

My Nan used to own top to toe, now Gedes, glad its still a hair salon. I’m the third generation hairdresser in my family.

[djtriode]

Just found you after the 40 year anniversary of the new cross fire . I'm lewisham brockley born from 1979 .love the informations about my home town .

[soundscapefusions]

Again AmaZing unique documentary style lots of information smooth narration and cool music blend together.

[PeterPete]

Ladywell never looked so good! Awesome video

[jimmya.]

Good one Dewyne. Remember the Fox and Firkin when it wasn't such a cool place to go to and a bit rough. Looks great now though.

[boughrood]

The only pl, aces I recognise (from 1960's) are the Swimming Baths, H E Olby and the remnants of the Rec.

[ford]

My family moved to Arthurdon Road (between Ladywell Road and Chudleigh Road) in 1959 when I was 5. Interesting to see how virtually every shop has changed its function and identity, and some disappeared entirely. I enjoyed living there quite well but rarely went to Ladywell Rec except as access to the church path and the library, as my memories of the park are of being attacked by thugs and perverts. Shame but a fact that not everything was as rosy as people might care to think. I want my country back? I don't think so.

[keepingitrealandtruthful.]

Ladywell Park connects with Lewisham and Catford.

[scarmac]

I lived here till i was 20 now 30 years on an far away im glad i grew up hear with everone from everwere lol