Ladywell
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Ladywell is a place and electoral ward in the London Borough of Lewisham.
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[edit] History
The name Ladywell was in use by the fifteenth century, and maps dating to this period show the site of the original Ladywell, in front of the area later to be occupied by the Freemason's Arms (now 'Masons') and Ladywell railway station. The well was six to seven feet deep and surrounded by an iron railing. It is thought to have been dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was covered over in the mid-eighteenth century as part of the construction of sewer works. The coping stones of this well were later uncovered during work to underpin the railway bridge, and rescued by a signalman. In 1896 they were incorporated as part of the fountain that stood in the grounds of the Ladywell Public Baths, a local landmark built in red brick in 1884.
Another well is located nearby at what is now 148 Ladywell Road. This was a mineral spring, the waters of which local people drank for medicinal purposes.
Much of the development of Ladywell occurred in the late-nineteenth century following the opening of Ladywell railway station in 1857.
In recent years there has been controversy over Lewisham Council's decision to close the Ladywell Swimming Pool and Sports Centre to build a school. Many local residents feel that a school is not needed in this part of Lewisham, that it will increase already high levels of congestion and that closing the pool many years before building a new one will deprive the area of healthy leisure facilities. This controversy led to the area recently electing Green Party councillors to all of its 3 council ward seats.
[edit] Notable People
- Birthplace of Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman.
- Burial place of Ernest Dowson poet and decadent buried at Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries
[edit] Nearest Places
[edit] Nearest railway stations
[edit] References
- Foord, Alfred Stanley (1910), Springs, streams and spas of London: history and association. T. Fisher Unwin.
[edit] See also
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