Hidden Back Passage ways

[computedshorty]

Hidden Back Passageways.

Some time ago a local resident questioned if there was ever a Passageway from Plough Lane to Goodrich Road, I have traced it and where it came out into Goodrich road with a Coblers Shop behind an Offlicence next to the Allyway, it was at one time registered as 60 A Goodrich Road number 60 being before the Castle Pub.

There was also a small sweet shop facing the Allyway.

Landells and Goodrich Road junction was another Off Licence a Grocery Shop and Will's Green Grocers next to the Sweep in Landells Road.

[edcam]

Tee hee. You said "back passage"!

[computedshorty]

The Back Passages that were there before the bombing these led from Lytcott Grove to Playfield Crescent.

[intexasatthe moment]

I love alley ways and old connecting footpaths .

Makes me sad to see them closed off ,though I guess it's a security thing .

You used to be able to walk down a long footpath in Court Lane and come out ( I think ) near Barclays Bank .

The Court Lane end was at the west junction of Court Lane Gardens and Court Lane .

[computedshorty]

The Lane was to the Dulwich Park Groundsmen's Nurseries and Green houses, it is thought that the staff used this entrance to get into the park to open the gates to the public.

Although the lane passed the back of Barcleys Bank in Dulwich Village it could not be used by the bank staff, if they used the lane they would have had to continue past the green houses to the Service entrance into the park, from here they would have to leave the park and turn right for the bank.

To date there have been built nine huses in the space between the Green Houses and the Bank.

One of the Park Keepers was my mates mother Mrs Sis Sissons, who dressed in a brown uniform and wore trousers and trilby style hat, who lived in Landcroft Road just below Heber Road.

[edhistory]

From 1951 (the map date) to 1968 when I worked there this passage led to the Dulwich College Estate "Woodyard" and not to the Dulwich Park nursery.

John K

[edw]

I dearly wish there were a passage between Melbourne Grove/Playfield Crescent and Glengarry/Thorncombe/Hillsboro Roads.

I live on Bassano St and heading west on foot is a right pain, you either have to go all the way up Melbourne Grove to E Dulwich Grove or down to Townley Rd and around the front of the school.

[computedshorty]

Bassano Street had Brick built Air Raid Shelters on the same side as the Steam Laundry, these were a little different to others as they had an arched concrete roof opposed to the flat roof ones.

The school teachers thought that the children should not use them.

This is a quote from a report

'?There was no air raid shelter, as we regarded the surface shelters alongside as meant for the residents in Bassano Street ?.

No short cut Allyways but you can park outside your house.

[PeckhamRose]

I like the one that links from CHarlotte Street in west End going westwards through to near Portland Place.

Just sayin'.

[edw]

computedshorty Wrote:

> No short cut Allyways but you can park outside

> your house.

If only I had a car!

Living here I have many blessings to count, but we all have our gripes and the lack of a shortcut to the west is mine.

[edw]

btw computedshorty which school are you referring to? The closest now is Alleyn's I think - was it the same back then?

[computedshorty]

St Anthony's School was in Lordship Lane it is now called Thomas Moore Hall, the old Church Hall next to Number 1 in Bassano Street facing the old Steam Laundry The school was for boys and girls and infants.

These were the Children moving from School to Church that needed shelter from the blitz.

I had my Wedding Reception in the Hall in 1960, A bit dull and dark, it was the only place available that day.

My best man was not sober enough to get his car back from outside St Clement Church in Friern Road for two days.

Fifty three years ago in July.