Ron Richards and Derek Bayliss worked together on the Thames riverside at Greenwich until retirement, and now they have put together this delightful book, based on their personal knowledge and research, illustrated with black and white and colour photographs.  Leighton Brown at Darwin Press in Blackheath has helped them to make it a fine-looking production, attractive and easy to read.

The area covered by the book runs from  Greenwich Pier westwards to the entrance to Deptford Creek. Victorian Wood Wharf now forms part of Cutty Sark Gardens and the area around Deptford Creek and Thames Street is being redeveloped and will be called New Capital Quay.

Ron and Derek are writing about the people who lived there, the many companies which operated there, and the pubs and shops which provided services to workers, residents and visitors.

This book will make a great companion on a riverside walk in   the area and is just as good for a comfortable browse at home. Did you know that the Greenwich fishing fleet at one time numbered 67 boats - only Barking on the north bank of the Thames had a larger number on the river Thames. The boats held from two to four crew, who fished with rod and line for salmon, cod and whitebait. In 1850 the Greenwich fleet moved to Grimsby and Hull because of pollution in the river.

You can buy this book from Island History. Send a cheque or postal order for £6.00, payable to "Island History Trust" to us at 197 East Ferry Road, London E14 3BA and we'll send you the book!