Up to around 1978 a large detached mansion stood proud about 50 yards from St Lawrences church, away from the High Street. An incongruous relic from the Victorian age when Sidcup was a series of detached houses set amoungst the countryside. And, had that vista survived it would now be a tourist attraction protected by National Heritage. But from 1905 onwards the developers hammer & an equally heavy handed vision has decimated the elegance of the earlier era, Good ol' days is usually a myth.
This big red house: standing surrounded by 3 storey flats from the 1950s it glared out until a weekday morning I was on my way to St Josephs Convent and witnessed this gothic edifice biting the dust. It was being torn down by mechanical diggers, it's death rattle made sonic by it's flesh coloured wood breaking through the blood red paint job. It appeared to be an entirely wooden structure.
That I remember this so vividly from the moment I saw it conveys the powerful presence this house cast over its neighbours. And I know no further details about it! I would love to find as many details as possible or photos of this most iconic building in Sidcup.
This was the location & what now stands in it's place. I could be slightly off the location, 120 Main Road Sidcup
I ADORE Glauca Pendula trees, that is the shaggy looking one on the right, a variation on the Alaskan Blue cedar.Should / when I am fortunate enough to have that rose covered cottage in Cornwall or East Sussex it's one of the species which shall be sprouting everywhere, Couple of oaks naturally too. English not American oak!
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