https://southwarknews.co.uk/area/rotherhithe/looking-back-at-christmas-in-southwark-from-yesteryear/ The independent voice of the London Borough of Southwark Thu, 25 Dec 2025 20:27:46 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://southwarknews.co.uk/area/rotherhithe/looking-back-at-christmas-in-southwark-from-yesteryear/#comment-50023 Thu, 25 Dec 2025 20:27:46 +0000 https://southwarknews.co.uk/?p=465397#comment-50023 Hi Debra, my late mum was born in Riley Road off Tower Bridge Road in 1925. She told me how Tower Bridge Market used to stay open late at night and kids would be able to play around the stalls which were super busy. There was more of a going out culture and close community feel in those days related to plentiful jobs, lots of boozers and of course the nearby Trocadero music hall. The beginning of the end started, I suppose, after the War with the demolition of bombed out streets along with perfectly good terrace houses and building of council estates. Everything went bit by bit, especially firms and jobs, and people were encouraged by rehousing offers to move out to Dartford and beyond. What you show in these photos was the golden age of Bermondsey, importantly, when it was also an independent local borough with its own town hall and mayor. I also think it had its own electricity supply company and round three pin plugs!

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