On the old police station the ladder next to the left hand chimney actually led to the "Air Raid" siren which is just visible and was still operative until the Station closed. The Station was at the time part of the Metropolitan Police "P" Division which included, Biggin Hill, Bromley, Catford, Lewisham, Brockley and if memory serves me also Deptford. Most of the stations were built in 1839.
At 1:50 there looks as if it is the area where there were two or three quite rare Kent weatherboard cottages on or near the bend in the road. This is mentioned by another person here also. They were as I understand it to be preserved BUT somehow the people developing the area demolished them and there were demands from the local public that they were to be re-built. This of course was never enforced and two or three high value houses were built on the area. Once again great content and well narrated.
Many years ago I worked for a window cleaner and the old white lion was one of our clients , back then in the mid 1960s the interior was decorated in an olde worlde style complete with a suit of armour. Above the archway to the right of the building was a small door with a bell beside it, this was the ostlers bell, before a stagecoach could pass through the arch the bell was rung and the ostler would open the door and take the roof luggage off for storage, until then I'd never heard of an ostler, it goes to show there are always new things to learn!😊
I own the old 1800s semi detached cottage on Crofton road on the bend in your video and those cottages you mention were next door to me (to the left when looking from across the road) and were completely knocked down and rebuilt.. there was also a single story bungalow just to the left of them which was also demolished, such a shame since they had such character.. luckily ours was left standing and has been extended whilst retaining lots of its original features! I always come on here in the hope that somebody might share an old image of my house! Thanks for sharing
I spoke to the elderly lady opposite my house and showed her your pictures! She was sad to see them demolished and isn’t too keen on what’s in their place! Im glad I could be of some help :)
All I can tell you is those derelict cottages were right near a bend in the road. They ran at an angle. A primary school friend of mine lived in one. I went to a party there in early 70s
I seem to remember from my youth (1960's) that the police station used to have one of those old traditional blue lights set above the door. Can anybody confirm this ?
