gosh I remember Doopo Doopo ! Forest hill felt more individual back then.
We had The HOB pub (which had really good gigs and a fun grungey vibe)
And does anyone remember Forest Hill Fashion week? around that time..
Just a fun event showcasing creatives and pop-ups we need more of that now especially as retail space in the likes of East dulwich and Peckham is becoming more and more expensive.
Yes, Pauline, my old tenant at Sugar Mountain, used to get really involved with pulling various people together from the council and local schools and I also remember her collaborating with Goldsmiths College and V22 (the artist studios between the pools and the library) to make these events happen.
Thankfully, we’ve still got Havelock Walk Open Studios events twice a year and, when I was walking back up to my car from visiting HWOS on Sunday afternoon, I had the rare treat of seeing The Sylvan Post’s Beer Festival with musicians and dancers performing in traditional Bavarian dress.
FH!
(It won’t let me attach a photo)
Ha!
Many years before you came here, in 1978/79, when The HOB was The Railway Signal, I used to play in a band there doing some not-so-good gigs but I also jumped in with a rock band there called FU’S around the Doopo Doopo days and sang Smoke on the Water, which used to be our go-to encore song back in the day 
A gig venue in Forest Hill would be amazing but sadly small venues are becoming an endagered species at this point.
Luckily, only 3 stops away from Forest Hill station there’s the New Cross Inn, which is a one minute walk from New Cross Gate - drinks are cheap and you can even get a pizza in there for £8 
Rebuild the Crystal Palace!
Music venue, shopping centre, cinema, conference centre, hotel, and worlds longest zip wire providing fast access to central london via the top of the shard.
I was lucky enough to have a chance to look around the site today. Not quite finished, but BOY does it look different (and smart) inside. All the historic cornicing has been recovered and painted, and the space has opened up massively.
They’re still putting in the finishing touches, but it looks like it will be finished in the near future, so hopefully opening is not too far away.
I’m also excited to say that the owner is willing to organise occasional ‘arranged visits’ for the Society and its members to get a chance to walk around and the see changes and development - something you won’t normally be able to do unless you are accompanying children. Once the site is no longer a dangerous building site, I will contact him again and see what we can arrange. If you’re interested in joining one of these visits, leave a comment below and I’ll be in touch when we go ahead.
Separately, if you have teenagers or younger adults at home looking for temporary/holiday work, they are recruiting for lots of staff to help once they open … so check it out. There’s a poster on the main door (I forgot to snap a picture) with the details.
Sounds good. Yes I’d like to see the inside.
Yes, I’d love to snoop around.
Good stuff!
I’m not sure if I’m a member of the FHSoc (although I do make donations from time to time) but I’ve been intrigued by Gambado’s interest in this premises from day one and now, having looked online at some of the photos of their other sites, I can see how the massive height of the old auditorium is absolutely perfect for them and why they probably jumped at the opportunity.
It’s also great that they seem to be doing the right thing as custodians of the building.
I’d be interested to have a little look around
Easy to join John. We always welcome more members, and having a good number - somewhere around 400 or so- can seem important when we speak up on various subjects. For example I think it’s helped when I’ve been meeting with London City airport over the years that we are a community organisation with a decent number of members.
Thank you - I’ve checked my direct debits and there’s nothing for FHSoc so I’ll join today 
They’re also advertising on Facebook locally.
I also would love to take a peek at this historic building!
