Time Lapse: Life in Woolwich 1964

mdt-son

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1964 WOOLWICH - The significance, history, character, decline, markets, ferry, theatres, landmarks..​

Not bike related, but this time laps gives an interesting insight into life in Woolwich, the district which housed the huge Royal Arsenal and the famous AMC factory. Closure of the Royal Arsenal due to need for redevelopment is discussed in the movie.
After years of debate it finally closed in 1967. Sadly, the huge AMC factory (by then owned by NV) was soon to follow - 1969.
However, by 1964 it was pure busines.
Mentioned in the movie, Woolwich Polytechnic today is known as University of Greenwich.

The movie tells a story of a district which looked upon itself as a separate town, but really wasn't. It's a story of how Woolwich became a place for living and commuting.

- Knut

 
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Very interesting & thanks for posting. I was born in Plumstead just a few streets away from the AMC works in Burrage Grove, but we moved away when I was a small child. The Royal Arsenal was a huge area covering Plumstead marshes, but now housing, industrial, & a maximum security jail (Bellmarsh)
 
Matchless said:
Very interesting & thanks for posting. I was born in Plumstead just a few streets away from the AMC works in Burrage Grove, but we moved away when I was a small child. The Royal Arsenal was a huge area covering Plumstead marshes, but now housing, industrial, & a maximum security jail (Bellmarsh)
Click to expand...
my (used to be) employers have contracted their archiving to Iron Mountain, who have a pair of huge warehouses next door to Belmarsh (White Hart Triangle). I go there from time to time to service machines in the place, Thameslink train to Plumstead then a walk. Generally a horrible place, but a lot of building happening on the old industrial area along Nathan Way. Presumably there is an expectation that the Elizabeth Line through Woolwich will improve the area.

Wasnt the Thamesmead estate the location for the filming of Clockwork Orange?
 
daveforty said:
my (used to be) employers have contracted their archiving to Iron Mountain, who have a pair of huge warehouses next door to Belmarsh (White Hart Triangle). I go there from time to time to service machines in the place, Thameslink train to Plumstead then a walk. Generally a horrible place, but a lot of building happening on the old industrial area along Nathan Way. Presumably there is an expectation that the Elizabeth Line through Woolwich will improve the area.

Wasnt the Thamesmead estate the location for the filming of Clockwork Orange?
Click to expand...
I think you're correct regarding Clockwork Orange.
 
Thanks for posting Knut.

I was born about 5 miles from the Woolwich free ferry, and can still remember going on one of the old paddle ferries which were replaced in 1963. Later on for a day out my brother and I used to get the 101 bus to Woolwich and go over to the south side. The Royal Albert docks were still in use then so there would be plenty of activity on the river.

On new years eve we would stand outside the house at midnight as all the docked ships would blow their horns simultaneously. That was quite something to listen to.
 
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mdt-son said:

1964 WOOLWICH - The significance, history, character, decline, markets, ferry, theatres, landmarks..​

Not bike related, but this time laps gives an interesting insight into life in Woolwich, the district which housed the huge Royal Arsenal and the famous AMC factory. Closure of the Royal Arsenal due to need for redevelopment is discussed in the movie.
After years of debate it finally closed in 1967. Sadly, the huge AMC factory (by then owned by NV) was soon to follow - 1969.
However, by 1964 it was pure busines.
Mentioned in the movie, Woolwich Polytechnic today is known as University of Greenwich.

The movie tells a story of a district which looked upon itself as a separate town, but really wasn't. It's a story of how Woolwich became a place for living and commuting.

- Knut

Click to expand...

Great video, I was born in Greenwich, grew up in Eltham. Rode the "free ferry" as a kid. worked at AMC as a road tester and comp shop fitter, later one of Poores boys at Norton Villiers.
 
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