Who blew the whistle?

[regoneil]

“Who blew the whistle?”

As we delve into the past history of Sydenham, let it not be forgotten that for many years prior to the outbreak of W.W.2., the programming of it’s residents were controlled by the whistle of the “South Suburban Gas Company”, who were the largest employers of the local population. Every weekday, Mondays to Fridays, (with the exception of Bank Holidays) the town would be awakened at 7.20 a.m. by the “Gasworks whistle” informing the workers that they had ten minutes to “clock in” and be ready to start their day’s toil. This would be followed at 7.30 to indicate “all systems go”. At noon, the whistle would blow to inform all concerned that they could now go home for their midday meal but to be back to start again at 1pm, when the whistle would sound again for the resumption of the day’s toil.

At 5pm, the whistle would indicate the end of the day’s work and everyone could go home and do whatever they had to do in their own time! This was repeated on Saturdays with the exception of the afternoon whistles as work concluded at midday. On reflection, I am certain in my mind that there was an additional whistle in the mornings at either 8 am or 8.30 to call the clerical staff to the gas company. Perhaps someone reading this will be able to confirm this.

The “Gasworks whistle” formed the basis for a timetable for most households within the bounds of S.E.26 and it was to be heard in all directions, even to the Crystal Palace, Forest Hill, Catford, Penge and beyond, so most people relied on the whistle to set their watches and clocks, as the only other time signals came from the school bells at 8.40, 8.50, 2.40 and 2.50. In some areas it was possible to set one’s watch by a church clock striking the quarters and the hours.

It should be explained that in the days prior to the second war, there were no time-checks as such on the radio or TV. The latter was in its infancy and was only operational for a few hours each day, whilst the “wireless”, as it was then known, was only received for limited periods during each day. A time check would have been broadcast each evening at six o’clock when Big Ben would herald in the “News” (the only bulletin of the day), preceded by “SOS” announcements. (The nine o’clock news was introduced at the beginning of WW2).

So it can be seen that not only was the gasworks the biggest employer in Sydenham but also the hub of the livelihood of the community.

Most Saturday mornings during the inter war years, a queue of young boys would be seen at the gates of the works, complete with their own homemade box on wheels, “dilly carts”, waiting to load up with coke at ”four pence” a load, which they would then take off to supply their regular customers at 2d a bucket! A nice little earner and much appreciated by their customers! It must be remembered that in those days, the effects of the depression were being felt everywhere, including Sydenham. Money was in short supply as were jobs!

Unlike these days, the youth of the day were too busy helping their parents to survive the depression. The vandals were the ones who played “Knocking down gingers” (knocking on people’s doors and running off) or “Scrumping” apples from back gardens! However, they were mostly well mannered, had respect for their elders and treasured their penknives, with which they used to sharpen their pencils or whittle down pieces of wood for “tip it” games. To be the proud possessor of a “Swiss Army Knife” meant that one could open a bottle of fizz, open a tin of beans, unscrew nuts and bolts among many other things, even remove a stone from a horses hoof!.

But, coming back to my question, “Who blew the whistle?” Who ever it was, I wonder if he realised the responsibility that was his? Just imagine the situation resulting from a delay of five minutes if he was late in blowing it!

[bensonby]

Abolutely fascinating!

What year did the gassworks disappear? It must have been about 1990...as I still vaguely remember it from when I was very young.

[Muddy Waters]

And you are, how old - 21, Bensonby?. You must have been very,very young when the gas works ceased

[bensonby]

And you are, how old - 21, Bensonby?. You must have been very,very young when the gas works ceased

But I have a vague memory of it - at least, my parents referred to it as "the gas works" and I certainly remember when savacentre was proposed (and everyone was against it)

I was probably about 3 or 4.... I'm not talking out of my rear end here am i?

[Steve Grindlay]

I was probably about 3 or 4.... I'm not talking out of my rear end here am i?

Afraid so. I'm pretty sure that gas production at Bell Green ceased in 1969.

And thank you, Reg, for another delightful account of life in Sydenham all those years ago. These memories are immensely valuable for fleshing out the dry facts from books and documents. Do keep them coming.

[bensonby]

I was probably about 3 or 4.... I'm not talking out of my rear end here am i?

Afraid so. I'm pretty sure that gas production at Bell Green ceased in 1969.

And thank you, Reg, for another delightful account of life in Sydenham all those years ago. These memories are immensely valuable for fleshing out the dry facts from books and documents. Do keep them coming.

But wasn't there a British Gas shop and somewhere where you could pay the bills there until about 1990?

[regoneil]

Yes, there was a gas showroom situated in the Sydenham Road opposite the Granada cinema (origially the "State"). it was about three doors up from Mayow Road and occupied two shops where one could pay ones gasbill.
When it opened in the 30's. It used only gas! as opposed to the electricity showroom further up the road. but in later years, they had to convert to electricity. Incidentally, there was a Gas Company office located in Wells Road prior to WW2.
Remind me to tell an amusing true story relating to having a coin operated gas meter emptied!

[Annie]

if we didn't have a shilling for the meter in my younger days my mum would have a supply of foreign coins that fitted, luckily the gas man was sympathetic to our cause, and would hand them back to my mum, telling her of course not to use them again.1950/1960s. good old days!