[New] SIDCUP’S MURAL AT NISBETT WALK

The Lamorbey and Sidcup Local History Society is working with Sidcup Partners to install a mural in Sidcup representing the town’s history. The location will be at Nisbett Walk, running between McDonalds in the High Street and Morrisons car park, a prominent place with a heavy footfall.

We are in the process of procuring an artist and once the details are finalised we will be in a position to start raising the necessary funds. Financial support from local businesses, organisations and individuals will be welcome in due course.

The mural is intended to be for all of us to celebrate Sidcup, to encourage interest in its past and have a positive effect on today’s street scene. It will complement the ‘Famous People’ lamp post banners that were created in partnership with Sidcup Partners in 2019, celebrating people who lived in Sidcup.

Sidcup in the 18th century was just a small street of houses along with The Black Horse inn. The surrounding area was rural, featuring a few gentlemen’s houses.

It was the arrival of the railway in 1866 which brought about rapid house-building. Shops were then needed to serve the increasing number of residents, as well as churches, schools, sports clubs and a police station. A cinema opened in 1914 (it closed in 2000), and the high street flourished. Marlowe House has been a well-known landmark since it was built in 1966, and our newest building, Sidcup Storyhouse, is due to open soon.

Do you have any ideas about what should be included in the mural? What aspects of Sidcup’s history need to be recorded? What would you like to learn from the mural? What is important in the present day and should be recorded for future generations? You are welcome to share your ideas by e-mail (enquiries@lam-sid-lhs. co.uk), Facebook (Sidcup Past) or Twitter @SidcupPast.

Penny Duggan