As the campaign for
"No demolition without designs" gathers momentum perhaps some historical background might be useful (with apologies to those who have read/heard it all before).
Holy Trinity Schools (1874), Forest Hill Pools (1885), Girls' Industrial Home (Louise House, 1890) and Forest Hill Library (1901) were built on a single large field, known as glebe land, that was awarded to the Vicar of Lewisham on the enclosure of Sydenham Common, in 1819. "Enclosure", incidentally, was a device by which those who already owned land in the parish were awarded plots of ancient common land which they fenced, to keep out "trespassers". The losers were those who owned no land, but had managed to scrape a living from the common.
The glebe land, popularly known as Vicar's Field, was let by the vicar as allotments to those who had lost their right to graze animals, gather wood, catch game etc. on the common. Over time, and in response to pressure from local groups, the vicar made parts of this large field available for purposes that were considered socially valuable.
The four buildings that cover the Dartmouth Road frontage of this field offer a vivid picture of late Victorian social attitudes: the schools offered education, particularly in the principles of the Established Church; the pools offered cleanliness (people brought their washing to be cleaned in the laundry in the basement, and there were private slipper baths) and healthy exercise; the Industrial Home gave training to "the deserving poor" to keep them from a life of crime and, of course, there was the library. In both the school and the pools the sexes were kept firmly apart. Boys and girls attending the school had separate entrances, playgrounds and classrooms. The pools also had separate male and female entrances, with separate ticket offices, pools and slipper baths for first and second class swimmers. Much of the evidence for these social divisions still survives in the pools, and would be lost with total demolition.
I believe that such a well preserved group of buildings is unique in London, if not the country. Indeed, I was speaking recently with somebody from English Heritage about a book they are preparing on London swimming pools. The EH person was intrigued to learn of the links between these four buildings (two of which are listed Grade II) and shared my view about their probable uniqueness.
It has been suggested that the foundation stone of the pools is one item that might be preserved. There is a pleasing irony in this for it mentions Theophilus William Williams. For twenty years Williams was the most powerful political figure in Lewisham, culminating in his becoming Lewisham's first mayor in 1901. However, during his mayoralty rumours began spreading about his dubious business practices. Things came to a head in 1908, when he was charged with fraud and embezzlement. On the day his trial was due to begin he committed suicide; an unfortunate decision for local historians, as the trial was abandoned and the full details of his misdemeanours never came to light. Although perhaps not honest, he was responsible for two very successful swimming pools (and two libraries), built on time and to budget.
For those who have the appetite for yet more information, there are articles on the
industrial homes and
the pools...
...and, of course, don't forget to
sign the petition.
Note: I originally posted this on Sydenham Town forum. It was suggested that I also post it here as it may be of interest to those who don't visit the other place.
