When we used to go to the top of One Tree Hill there were railings to the back making it safe as behind was a very steep drop much like a cliff edge, looking down there could be seen near the rear of Honour Oak Station allotments and nearby a series of wooden huts, these on closer inspection were used to make Fireworks, the place was very near facing 103 Honour Oak Park.
I cant remember the name of the Manufacturers but they were very popular in the local Shops.
I have found a picture of some sheds and huts where Fireworks were made but they are not the huts in question.
I am guessing that Zimmerman is using a local forum to tell us something about the history of the area. I for one find that interesting, and I don't see that he is causing you any harm. It certainly makes a pleasant change from reading about buggies and Big Issue sellers!!
Power to your elbow Zimmerman, please keep posting!
Seriously though, I'm interested in the local area but Zimm' post was out of the blue and didn't give me any context for the information. You write very well Zimm and your post is rather like a fine passage of prose from a book...hence my point really; a passage.
Sorry I left off the last part of my message asking if anybody can remember the name of the Firework Manufacturer.
Just to please two of you here is a bit of prose that I copied from a book, dont worry I did write the book.
Sitting on the Rye
I am sitting here on the bench, on Peckham Rye,
watching as those people who are passing by.
The sun is shinning warm, but its quite breezy,
I feel content, in fact this vision it me pleases .
Into view are two large women pushing buggies,
dragging two young children wearing Huggies.
One of the ladies is large enormously fat,
the other one is at least twice the size of that.
They pause at my seat , as one child rants,
its obvious to me, that he’s filled up his pants.
Mum removes his Huggie, kid had a whimper,
she hangs thing on to the handle of my Zimmer.
No wipe of the behind or replacement is done,
left to wander around and dry out in the sun.
Soon his bottom is drying but getting crusty,
alright for them my zimmer’s going rusty.
Despite my plea of “please don't come so near”,
the child’s hands grip my knee and started to smear.
Dirty brown finger marks on to my grey slacks,
it’s obvious that the discipline this child lacks.
The Huggie is caught in the draught of a passing bus,
it’s dragged away to follow in tow, away from us.
It’s recovered by mum who goes to the bushes,
who having no bag, there she discardingly pushes.
The flies are here now from his bottom to my bald head,
little brown foot prints left there that the sun’s burnt red.
The smell remains now, once here stays ever clinging,
even the birds have gone away, it stopped their singing.
The state I’m in, I want to have a wash, but where?
the toilet has closed down now and is no longer there.
I try think of an solution of what am I to do?
I’m going home by bus, I take my place in the queue.
Here comes the 78 the doors open, it’s famed Nigel,
who will do all he can to make your life hell.
Where is your Pass? You are not coming on here to sit.
look at your trousers the legs covered in s**t.
I back out, the door slams shut, my zimmer is jammed I shout,
he drives away my zimmer is part in but most sticking out.
He overtakes a parked car, not allowing for the protrusion,
he now drives a Bendy door bus, just to add to his confusion.
Thanks Ben.
Yes that was the name of the Firework Factory Wells Fireworks
The ste is now being cleared I think it was used for years as Allotments alongside the railway track behind Honor Oak Station on One Tree Hill Side.
Very interesting to find out about this, I never knew that a firework factory had existed by the railway, I wonder in all the site clearance work if anything from the factory was found?