Sydenham Town Forum

How interesting. You're a real fount of all local historical knowledge - thank you!

Yes, I have since found the info Steve put into the Wells Park thread about the origins of Kelvin Grove's name (thank you), which was: "One source (Joan Read's Lewisham Street Names, 1990) suggests it was named after Lord Kelvin in about 1850. This cannot be so, as William Thomson was not creat...

Hi Malcolm, Ah the memories! The lean-to was there for some time, with a scullery, but in the late 1970s it was replaced with a proper brick built kitchen extension, taking in the old outside lavatory as a larder! A bathroom extension was added to the middle floor at the same time, taking the house ...

Hi Malcolm - I've lived at number 30 as well! Have found your old sock behind the radiator if you want it back!! lol I'd always understood that the Mount Ash houses were built to house the workers for the socking great houses on Sydenham Hill - the butlers, maids etc, although in Joan P Alcock's boo...

I love all the local history info on Wells Park and particularly Mount Ash Road, since I used to live there. Does anyone know about the history of Kelvin Grove? Why was it named that, famous people etc, when the big houses were built etc. I think the houses were built in 1860 is and originally had n...

This local history thread is fascinating!

Do any of you know why Kelvin Grove is called Kelvin Grove? I've searched online but can only find stuff about the primary school.

Oh a coffee shop - yes I'd like that. So far we have one independent cafe that makes cappucino with instant coffee, then there's Zucker which is great and very friendly but only seats about six people at a time. I wouldn't say no to a Nero or a Cafe Costa, that's for sure. Save me going to East Dulw...

No one's yet addressed the traffic. It's already virtually walking pace trying to get from the top of Sydenham to the lower end (I mean the hill, not social class). How much worse will it be if Bell Green becomes a 'destination' out of town venue? That said, the arrival of the tube line in 2010 to o...

There's also a free storytime session for children on Saturday mornings at Kirkdale Bookshop. 272 Kirkdale (opposite the Greyhound pub). Ages 3+, 10.20-11am each week - no need to book.