{"id":465397,"date":"2025-12-23T16:56:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T16:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/?p=465397"},"modified":"2025-12-23T16:56:05","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T16:56:05","slug":"looking-back-at-christmas-in-southwark-from-yesteryear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/rotherhithe\/looking-back-at-christmas-in-southwark-from-yesteryear\/","title":{"rendered":"Looking back at Christmas in Southwark from yesteryear"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>I am so thankful for the internet but oh my, has it changed our shopping habits! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The markets down The Blue, Tower Bridge Road and East Street are just shadows of their former glory. It\u2019s all very well sitting with an iPad having the pick of the world\u2019s goods at your fingertips but it kind of takes the magic away from Christmas. <\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"69959\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448384\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">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<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>It used to be an experience that wakened the senses, lifted the spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"992\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blackburns-Terrace-out-of-copyright-992x560.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-465399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blackburns-Terrace-out-of-copyright-992x560.jpg 992w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blackburns-Terrace-out-of-copyright-496x280.jpg 496w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blackburns-Terrace-out-of-copyright-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blackburns-Terrace-out-of-copyright-1536x867.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blackburns-Terrace-out-of-copyright-2048x1156.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blackburns-Terrace-out-of-copyright-260x146.jpg 260w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blackburns-Terrace-out-of-copyright-1320x745.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blackburns-Terrace-out-of-copyright-750x423.jpg 750w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blackburns-Terrace-out-of-copyright-1140x643.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 992px) 100vw, 992px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Blackburns Terrace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The shops used to be packed with customers buying cards and wrapping paper, streamers, tinsel and paper hats. There was always lots of parties at home, so stocks had to be built up for when the family descended to eat, drink and be merry (or have a fight, depending on what kind background you came from\u2026) <\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"68153\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448385\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtNjI1MzAxNzcwIiBjbGFzcz0ic291dGgtY29udGVudCBzb3V0aC1lbnRpdHktcGxhY2VtZW50IiBzdHlsZT0ibWFyZ2luLWxlZnQ6IGF1dG87bWFyZ2luLXJpZ2h0OiBhdXRvO3RleHQtYWxpZ246IGNlbnRlcjsiPjwhLS0gIC8xNTQ3MjUwNzAsMjI2OTQxOTY5Njkvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cy9zb3V0aHdhcmtuZXdzIC0tPg0KPGRpdiBpZD0iZGl2LWdwdC1hZC0yeDEiPg0KPHNjcmlwdD4NCmdvb2dsZXRhZy5jbWQucHVzaChmdW5jdGlvbigpIHsgZ29vZ2xldGFnLmRpc3BsYXkoJ2Rpdi1ncHQtYWQtMngxJyk7IH0pOw0KPC9zY3JpcHQ+DQo8L2Rpdj4gICAgICAgICAgPC9kaXY+<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing gifts was a delight as people looked through elegant bow-fronted windows at the goods on offer. Tower Bridge Road had some beautiful Edwardian shop fronts, some of which are still there but hidden behind the detritus of modern life. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"742\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tower-Bridge-Road-Southwark-Library-742x560.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-465403\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tower-Bridge-Road-Southwark-Library-742x560.jpg 742w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tower-Bridge-Road-Southwark-Library-371x280.jpg 371w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tower-Bridge-Road-Southwark-Library-768x580.jpg 768w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tower-Bridge-Road-Southwark-Library-1536x1160.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tower-Bridge-Road-Southwark-Library-193x146.jpg 193w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tower-Bridge-Road-Southwark-Library-1320x997.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tower-Bridge-Road-Southwark-Library-750x566.jpg 750w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tower-Bridge-Road-Southwark-Library-1140x861.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tower-Bridge-Road-Southwark-Library.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 742px) 100vw, 742px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tower Bridge Road. photo from  Southwark Library<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"911\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/George-Prescott-Tower-Bridge-Road-copyright-Eddie-Prescott-2014-911x560.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-465401\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/George-Prescott-Tower-Bridge-Road-copyright-Eddie-Prescott-2014-911x560.jpg 911w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/George-Prescott-Tower-Bridge-Road-copyright-Eddie-Prescott-2014-455x280.jpg 455w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/George-Prescott-Tower-Bridge-Road-copyright-Eddie-Prescott-2014-768x472.jpg 768w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/George-Prescott-Tower-Bridge-Road-copyright-Eddie-Prescott-2014-1536x944.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/George-Prescott-Tower-Bridge-Road-copyright-Eddie-Prescott-2014-2048x1259.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/George-Prescott-Tower-Bridge-Road-copyright-Eddie-Prescott-2014-237x146.jpg 237w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/George-Prescott-Tower-Bridge-Road-copyright-Eddie-Prescott-2014-1320x811.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/George-Prescott-Tower-Bridge-Road-copyright-Eddie-Prescott-2014-750x461.jpg 750w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/George-Prescott-Tower-Bridge-Road-copyright-Eddie-Prescott-2014-1140x701.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 911px) 100vw, 911px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">George Prescott-Tower Bridge Road copyright Eddie Prescott 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>A lot of The Blue\u2019s very elegant shopping facades were lost during the Second World War.<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"71156\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448386\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtMjI0NTgwMjAwOCIgY2xhc3M9InNvdXRoLWluLWFydGljbGUtbXB1OSBzb3V0aC1lbnRpdHktcGxhY2VtZW50Ij48IS0tICAvMTU0NzI1MDcwLDIyNjk0MTk2OTY5L3NvdXRod2Fya25ld3Mvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cyAtLT4NCjxkaXYgaWQ9ImRpdi1ncHQtYWQtbXB1OSI+DQo8c2NyaXB0Pg0KZ29vZ2xldGFnLmNtZC5wdXNoKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgeyBnb29nbGV0YWcuZGlzcGxheSgnZGl2LWdwdC1hZC1tcHU5Jyk7IH0pOw0KPC9zY3JpcHQ+DQo8L2Rpdj4gICAgIDwvZGl2Pg==<\/script>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-southwark-news wp-block-embed-southwark-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"pBfFSUx0TnEd6VemsI7hLXGoQ9YAN5MbZWjHKwc\"><blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"bTuubh7YKg\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/bermondsey\/why-is-there-an-area-called-the-blue-in-bermondsey\/\">Why is there an area called The Blue in Bermondsey?<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Why is there an area called The Blue in Bermondsey?&#8221; &#8212; Southwark News\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/bermondsey\/why-is-there-an-area-called-the-blue-in-bermondsey\/embed\/#?secret=KRGrItKfAw#?secret=bTuubh7YKg\" data-secret=\"bTuubh7YKg\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>But oh, the stalls! Lit up on a dark afternoon displaying all manner of goodies. Many of the goods on offer were nestled in foil that reflected the coloured fairy lights, giving everything that magic feeling. There was a certain kind of energy as people shuffled around inspecting what was on offer while the stall holders busied themselves re-stocking the display. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Everybody wanted the best for their Christmas table, so besides the unfortunate turkey the fishmongers tempted with sides of salmon and pints of prawns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dewhurst\u2019s would sell out of sausages and sides of beef. Plenty of fruit and veg was essential and the stalls would be packed high with only the best from Borough Market of Covent Garden.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"822\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Wellers-fruit-stall-copyright-Welller-family-2010-822x560.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-465404\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Wellers-fruit-stall-copyright-Welller-family-2010-822x560.jpg 822w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Wellers-fruit-stall-copyright-Welller-family-2010-411x280.jpg 411w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Wellers-fruit-stall-copyright-Welller-family-2010-768x523.jpg 768w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Wellers-fruit-stall-copyright-Welller-family-2010-1536x1047.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Wellers-fruit-stall-copyright-Welller-family-2010-2048x1396.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Wellers-fruit-stall-copyright-Welller-family-2010-214x146.jpg 214w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Wellers-fruit-stall-copyright-Welller-family-2010-1320x899.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Wellers-fruit-stall-copyright-Welller-family-2010-750x511.jpg 750w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Wellers-fruit-stall-copyright-Welller-family-2010-1140x777.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 822px) 100vw, 822px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Wellers fruit stall copyright Welller family 2010<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Not so long ago there were still hot chestnut stalls &#8211; nibbling on these little powerhouses of goodness gave us a bit of energy before we all struggled home with oranges, potatoes, pineapples, walnuts and apples.<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"71157\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448387\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtNDY3OTA3NzgxIiBjbGFzcz0ic291dGgtaW4tYXJ0aWNsZS1tcHUtMTAgc291dGgtZW50aXR5LXBsYWNlbWVudCI+PCEtLSAgLzE1NDcyNTA3MCwyMjY5NDE5Njk2OS9zb3V0aHdhcmtuZXdzL3NvdXRod2Fya25ld3MgLS0+DQo8ZGl2IGlkPSJkaXYtZ3B0LWFkLW1wdTEwIj4NCjxzY3JpcHQ+DQpnb29nbGV0YWcuY21kLnB1c2goZnVuY3Rpb24oKSB7IGdvb2dsZXRhZy5kaXNwbGF5KCdkaXYtZ3B0LWFkLW1wdTEwJyk7IH0pOw0KPC9zY3JpcHQ+DQo8L2Rpdj4gICAgIDwvZGl2Pg==<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, someone had to carry home the tree too &#8211; and the bright red poinsettia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Flo Weller in The Blue could supply everything you need from her flower stall, which would be turned into an alpine garden for the season. The invigorating smell of fresh pine trees is the smell of Christmas!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"484\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Flo-Weller-copyright-Welller-family-2010-484x560.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-465400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Flo-Weller-copyright-Welller-family-2010-484x560.jpg 484w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Flo-Weller-copyright-Welller-family-2010-242x280.jpg 242w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Flo-Weller-copyright-Welller-family-2010-768x889.jpg 768w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Flo-Weller-copyright-Welller-family-2010-1327x1536.jpg 1327w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Flo-Weller-copyright-Welller-family-2010-126x146.jpg 126w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Flo-Weller-copyright-Welller-family-2010-1320x1528.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Flo-Weller-copyright-Welller-family-2010-750x868.jpg 750w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Flo-Weller-copyright-Welller-family-2010-1140x1319.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Flo-Weller-copyright-Welller-family-2010.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 484px) 100vw, 484px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Flo Weller copyright Welller family 2010<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-southwark-news wp-block-embed-southwark-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"Tbe0h5XgcCLfNUuYS4Dvmn8A63Z7FRwtOyj\"><blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"QMLeNIilkj\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/news\/community\/flo-weller-plaque-was-moved-from-the-blue-to-stop-builders-from-trashing-it\/\">Flo Weller plaque was moved from the Blue &#8216;to stop builders from trashing it&#8217;<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Flo Weller plaque was moved from the Blue &#8216;to stop builders from trashing it&#8217;&#8221; &#8212; Southwark News\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/news\/community\/flo-weller-plaque-was-moved-from-the-blue-to-stop-builders-from-trashing-it\/embed\/#?secret=xzrWpuEK7Z#?secret=QMLeNIilkj\" data-secret=\"QMLeNIilkj\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike today, kids weren\u2019t inundated with presents and had to be happy with what they got. As recent as the 1940s many children were poverty-stricken with hand-me-down clothes and old, mended shoes. Their thin Christmas stockings would hold a tangerine wrapped in foil, walnuts, sweets and an apple. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Girls would get a rag doll or a ludo card and dice while boys received a pop-gun or a catapult to terrorise the street with on Boxing Day. Sometimes if they were really lucky they\u2019d get a football, but more often than not had to be content with a football bladder; this was just the inside bit that they\u2019d inflate and kick around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many went to church while others went to that other sacred place: the pub. Of course, some overdid the Christmas cheer, ending up sampling the delights of the police canteen as they sobered up in the cells!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Up until the 1930s charity always descended upon Bermondsey to ensure that those light of pocket had a special time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-southwark-news wp-block-embed-southwark-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"uZ1nNiJ52yRaO9QYUhPN4Bfd8MlFcKM9BxoWEXeb74fj7ivsOq1mTvtQspCAg2y\"><blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"TsgqqectFk\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/bermondsey\/bermondsey-christmas-pudding-sent-to-boer-war-naval-officers-celebrates-125th-birthday\/\">Bermondsey Christmas pudding sent to Boer War naval officers celebrates 125th birthday<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Bermondsey Christmas pudding sent to Boer War naval officers celebrates 125th birthday&#8221; &#8212; Southwark News\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/bermondsey\/bermondsey-christmas-pudding-sent-to-boer-war-naval-officers-celebrates-125th-birthday\/embed\/#?secret=bSVkUqP1XG#?secret=TsgqqectFk\" data-secret=\"TsgqqectFk\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At the Dock Offices in Lower Road the Docks Police entertained two hundred deprived kids. The children were given a huge spread, which was hungrily devoured, before being entertained with a pantomime where they sung their little hearts out. Afterwards, a dock constable dressed up as Santa Claus and distributed not just sweets and toys but also boots and socks to the ragged little waifs in his charge. Not one went home empty-handed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-southwark-news wp-block-embed-southwark-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"dLyhAvMa5QbgI2KcDJZFzo43TCHYieWn1PmjsRpwGf7xtqBS\"><blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"fGBruI1PM1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/kennington\/wwii-baby-abandoned-on-christmas-eve-reunites-with-his-brother-after-81-years\/\">WWII baby abandoned on Christmas Eve reunites with his brother after 81 years<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;WWII baby abandoned on Christmas Eve reunites with his brother after 81 years&#8221; &#8212; Southwark News\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/kennington\/wwii-baby-abandoned-on-christmas-eve-reunites-with-his-brother-after-81-years\/embed\/#?secret=A9dUBKda2J#?secret=fGBruI1PM1\" data-secret=\"fGBruI1PM1\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In the late 1940s Bermondsey kids were treated to a Christmas entertainment at Grange Road baths. Boards were put over the swimming pool and the place was decorated with balloons and streamers. More pantomimes were put on and hundreds of kids risked a soaking as they stamped their feet to songs and competitions.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s a great shame that all of this has gone &#8211; but never mind, deck your halls with boughs of holly and get out your Slade record. It\u2019s Chriiiistmassss!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-tiktok wp-block-embed-tiktok\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"Z7yIlQ28Eu5U0m4GjxPSeD\"><blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@southwarknews\/video\/7583026505316453654\" data-video-id=\"7583026505316453654\" data-embed-from=\"oembed\" style=\"max-width:605px; min-width:325px;\"> <section> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"@southwarknews\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@southwarknews?refer=embed\">@southwarknews<\/a> <p>Take part in Bermondsey\u2019s own festive window trail this advent???? Organised by @bluebermondseyBID and Big Local Works, the trail takes you round some twenty-five of Bermondsey\u2019s independent businesses or community initiatives.  Our Southwark News office is taking part, with a fantastic maritime-inspired design from Delicious Signs?? <a title=\"christmas\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/christmas?refer=embed\">#christmas<\/a> <a title=\"bermondsey\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/bermondsey?refer=embed\">#bermondsey<\/a> <a title=\"southwark\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/southwark?refer=embed\">#southwark<\/a> <a title=\"festivelondon\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/festivelondon?refer=embed\">#festivelondon<\/a> <a title=\"londonthingstodo\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/londonthingstodo?refer=embed\">#londonthingstodo<\/a><\/p> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"? original sound - Southwark News\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/original-sound-7583026504989264662?refer=embed\">? original sound &#8211; Southwark News<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I am so thankful for the internet but oh my, has it changed our shopping habits! The markets down The Blue, Tower Bridge Road and East Street are just shadows of their former glory. It\u2019s all very well sitting with an iPad having the pick of the world\u2019s goods at your fingertips but it kind [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18953,"featured_media":465404,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"format":"standard","override":[{"template":"1","parallax":"1","fullscreen":"1","layout":"right-sidebar","sidebar":"default-sidebar","second_sidebar":"default-sidebar","sticky_sidebar":"1","share_position":"top","share_float_style":"share-monocrhome","show_share_counter":"1","show_view_counter":"1","show_featured":"1","show_post_meta":"1","show_post_author":"1","show_post_author_image":"1","show_post_date":"1","post_date_format":"default","post_date_format_custom":"Y\/m\/d","show_post_category":"1","show_post_reading_time":"0","post_reading_time_wpm":"300","post_calculate_word_method":"str_word_count","show_zoom_button":"0","zoom_button_out_step":"2","zoom_button_in_step":"3","show_post_tag":"1","show_prev_next_post":"1","show_popup_post":"1","show_comment_section":"1","number_popup_post":"1","show_author_box":"1","show_inline_post_related":"1"}],"image_override":[{"single_post_thumbnail_size":"crop-500","single_post_gallery_size":"crop-500"}],"trending_post_position":"meta","trending_post_label":"Trending","sponsored_post_label":"Sponsored by","disable_ad":"0","subtitle":"Tower Bridge Road had some beautiful Edwardian shop fronts, some of  which are still there, but hidden behind the detritus of  modern life"},"jnews_primary_category":{"id":"8341"},"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":{"view_counter_number":"0","share_counter_number":"0","like_counter_number":"0","dislike_counter_number":"0"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,16094,7375,13539,13618,13602,18168,41,8341,43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-465397","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bermondsey","category-christmas","category-community","category-featured","category-history","category-news","category-nostalgia","category-rotherhithe","category-southwark","category-walworth"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/465397","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18953"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=465397"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/465397\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/465404"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=465397"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=465397"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=465397"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}