Silent Playground, The

In south-east London, Freida and David Dykes hurry along the road to attend the Saturday morning pictures. Frances Street in Woolwich, London SE18 with properties on Samuel Street in the left background. To the right stands 179 - 285 Frances Street, one of the St. Mary's Tower Flats.

Trees hide the buildings to the left in today's view. (SR)

Appearing from behind a parked lorry, the pair pass a block of flats. Frances Street in Woolwich, again with buildings on Samuel Street crossing the background and numbers

The wall has gone, cars and trees have arrived. (SR)

Inside the tower block, Mrs. Nugent gets her Children dressed in warm clothes ready to go out. The block containing numbers 287 to 393 Frances Street in Woolwich.

Today, gaining a tree, and a crick in the neck. (SR)

Angela Nugent (Mary McFadden) tells her Mum that it must be late as Freida and David are running. Looking out from an upper floor of one of the St. Mary's Tower Flats on Frances Street in SE18.

Doreen (Bernadette McFadden), Angela, David (David Walters) and their Mum, Mavis Nugent (Ellen McIntosh) leave the flats. Facing the entrance to 287 - 393 Frances Street in Woolwich.

The entrance displays a number of modifications. (SR)

Running late for work, the widowed mother hurries her Children to the Rex cinema on the film's Bostall Street. Looking north along Frances Street with the Clock House inside Woolwich Dockyard in the centre distance and the corner of Lord Warwick Street on the right.

With Christmas not far off, the four walk hand in hand towards town. Church Hill in Woolwich.

The entrance to St Mary's Garden off Church Hill, Woolwich by Keith Prested who adds "The layout has changed somewhat and the outer railings have been replaced, however the inner railings nearest the camera may have survived, with the addition of a gate."

The camera follows the family as they head east on Church Hill SE18.

Keith Prested wonders weather the three trees in the background could be the same as those in the capture, sadly at least two of them are not doing very well at present. The River Thames is visible beyond the boundary fence.

Mrs. Nugent and her Children approach the queue at the Rex cinema where a line of waiting Youngsters stand patiently . . . while some fight. Seen from outside The Borough Hall on Royal Hill in Greenwich SE10, this is facing southward at the corner of Peyton Place. The location was recognised by George Dibb, Charlie Connelly, Brad and Birmingham 81.

The junction today. (SR)

Leaving her offspring at the cinema, Mrs. Nugent and Simon Lacey (Roland Curram) pass on the jetty as she makes her way to catch the ferry. This is the South Pontoon of the Woolwich Ferry on Ferry Approach, Woolwich.

Mrs. Heatherley (Barbara Miller) joins Mavis on the ferry. From the River Thames, looking south towards Woolwich with the entrance to the Woolwich Foot Tunnel visible to the top right.

The ferry reaches its destination. The North Pontoon of the Woolwich Ferry on Pier Road, North Woolwich E16.

Simon crosses the road towards the cinema queue and, with the best of intention, beings to hand out his medication to the Children. Recognised by Brad, Birmingham 81, George Dibb and Charlie Connelly, this is Royal Hill, Greenwich with the Borough Hall as the background.

John Harwood found a van in the way. (SJ)

Anticipating a day busy with Christmas shoppers, Mavis approaches Wilson's haberdashery shop where she works. Facing Greenwich Cycles and Sports at 22 to 23 Nelson Road, Greenwich SE10 located by Steve Randall.

John H. found the premises occupied by Clarendon Fine Arts now.(SJ)

Inspector Duffy (Bernard Archard) arrives at the cinema after the Cleaners discover several unconscious Children at the end of the morning programme. Looking towards the Greenwich police station opposite the Borough Hall on Royal Hill SE10, located by Charlie Connelly, Brad, Birmingham 81 and George Dibb.

Replacing the police station is the Made in Greenwich gift shop. (SR)

Called by the Manager, an ambulance arrives to take the Children to hospital. Royal Hill, Greenwich with Swanne House at the corner of Gloucester Circus in the background identified by George Dibb, Charlie Connelly, Brad and Birmingham 81.

Emulating scenes from a film about a circus that they saw that morning, Johnny Woodhead (Rickford Harris) and his pal Andy Burnshaw tightrope walk along garden walls.

Having eaten some of Simon's capsules believing them to be sweets, Andy falls from the wall hitting his head on the pavement.

Announcements are made for parents of the Children who attended the Rex that morning to contact the police. Facing north-west on Powis Street in Woolwich SE18 with the County Court building in the left distance. To the right stands Garrett's, opposite Calderwood Street, with Cuffs department store at the corner of Macbean Street beyond.

Keith Prested explains that the street has been pedestrianised for many years. "Unfortunately, neither Cuffs or Garrett's Department stores have survived. The tall building in the left distance was, I believe part of the RACS (Co-op) department store, but is now a Travelodge."

Pedestrians listen to messages about the severity of the illness that may affect more children, believed to be a bug that has spread from the north of the country. Facing Garrett's on Powis Street in Woolwich. The department store closed in 1972.

The site of Garrett's Department Store at the corner of Macbean Street captured by Keith Prested.

Other loudspeakers play carols to traders and customers at the market. Beresford Square, Woolwich with the Century Cinema on the left and the Royal Arsenal Gatehouse to the right.

The carols stop and another appeal is broadcast. Beresford Square with the Century Cinema at the corner of Beresford Street in the left background.

Beresford Square looks a bit different in Keith Prested's shot with a multi-coloured, dancing water fountains replacing the market stalls. The market does still exist but now located out of shot to the left of picture.

Andy and the other Children are taken to hospital.

The ambulance pulls up outside the hospital where Dr. Green and a team of Nurses are waiting.

A Constable takes Johnny along to the local police station.

Inside the station, when Johnny empties his pockets, the capsules given out by Simon are spotted.

As the capsules containing barbiturates are identified by Dr. Green, Simon approaches Sylvia McCarthy playing outside her home.

Inspector Duffy and Sergeant Clarke (Basil Beale) return to the cinema with Johnny in order to jog his memory about the person who was handing out sweets. Found by Charlie Connelly, Birmingham 81, George Dibb and Brad we're on Royal Hill SE10 with Swanne House to the left, Royal Hill School in the distance and Peyton Place on the right.

Swanne House is now replaced by the London Square Greenwich apartment block. (SR)

The stranger's description is circulated.

A patrol car drives away after receiving the description just as Mrs. McCarthy arrives at the hospital with her unconscious Daughter. 240 to 250 Evelyn Street, London SE8 (RL)

More road markings around today. (SR)

Continuing his travels, Simon walks through the foot tunnel to the north of the river. Woolwich Foot Tunnel running beneath the Thames between North and South Woolwich.

On the High Street, a Salvation Army Band plays a lively tune outside a department store. Outside Cuffs on Powis Street in Woolwich.

Keith Prested returned to the site of the former Cuffs Department store which closed in 1983. The building has since been redeveloped.

Mavis's boyfriend Alan Whitfield (John Ronane) adjusts his theodolite at the top of a half competed building. To the left stands the South Pontoon of the Woolwich Ferry and the structure under construction seems to be Riverside House on Beresford Street.

A Colleague calls up for Alan to take a phone call from the boss.

Mrs. Lacey (Jean Anderson) looks out of the front room window as her son returns home.

Running from the house after his Mother discovers that he's given most of his medication away, Simon heads to the river.

Soon after Mrs. Lacey calls the hospital, Inspector Duffy and Sergeant Clark arrive to speak with her.

Simon walks into a children's playground. Keith Prested's research led him to discover that the playground is at the corner of Watergate Street and Borthwick Street in Deptford SE8, here seemingly filmed from Rowley House.

Two Boys ride on a "witch's hat" as the young man approaches. As revealed in a YouTube video entitled 'Woolwich in Film: The Silent Playground', Keith Prested advises that this is the playground at the corner of Watergate Street and Borthwick Street with Payne's Wharf in the right background.

The "witch's hat" is long gone but Keith found this modern gazebo structure is now in approximately the same place.

In an attempt to retrieve his capsules, Simon asks the Boys if he can have them back. The playground with Rowley House in the left background located by Keith Prested.

Keith's comparison captures the LCC flats which have survived the surrounding redevelopment and what is likely to be the same tree to the centre.

Simon asks two other Children to give him back the medicine.

After throwing the box containing the last ten of his capsules into a pipe tunnel, Simon shuffles towards the swings. Keith Prested explains that there has been a lot of redevelopment in the area but surprisingly the former playground site remains a public open-space now known as Twinkle Park.

Keith advises that the electricity sub-station is still there, but now behind a high brick wall.

A car approaches the playground as Simon sits down. The corner of Watergate Street and Borthwick Street in SE8 found by Keith Prested.

During Keith's visit to the playground he met some local residents engaged in a 'clean-up' of the park who told me that prior to them taking it over in the 1990s the area was fairly derelict but the remains of what were possibly the original swings were still in-situ.

Mrs. Lacey gets out of the Inspector's Zodiac. The railings of the playground at the corner of Watergate Street and Borthwick Street in Deptford with Payne's Wharf and Borthwick Wharf in the background.

Sergeant Clark, Mrs. Lacey and Inspector Duffy walk towards Simon to explain that they are taking him to the hospital. The playground at the corner of Watergate Street and Borthwick Street with Rowley House to the top right. The location was confirmed by the Youtube video titled 'Woolwich in Film: The Silent Playground'.

Checking on Angela, Doreen and David after dropping in on Mavis during lunch break, Alan drives the children to Bostall Woods to collect holly for Christmas. Looking south-east along Longleigh Lane in Greenwich SE2, the properties beyond the corner of Lodge Hill, to the extreme right, are in Erith, Kent.

Alan lets the siblings out of the car and hands them the bus fare to get them back home before he drives to the afternoon's football match. Longleigh Lane with Goldie Leigh Hospital visible through the trees to the right.

Keith Prested faced south on Longleigh Lane where the former Goldie Leigh Hospital is still just about visible through the trees.

Simon directs the Inspector in an effort to retrieve the missing capsules or save the Children that they were given to.

A concrete lion is recognised outside the house where Simon gave capsules to a young girl.

When Mrs. Rosati slaps him and scratches his face because her daughter has been taken to hospital, Simon flees followed by Sergeant Clark and Duffy's Driver (Joe Wadham).

Simon turns into a side alley.

Continuing to run, Simon finds an open gateway along the narrow alley.

Missing the gateway that Simon has closed behind him, the two Officers turn a corner.

Once through the gateway, Simon runs across the car park beyond.

Doubling back and passing through the gateway, Sergeant Clark and the Police Driver see no clue as to where Simon may have gone.

The confused man clambers through a ruined outbuilding before continuing his escape.

Allotments are crossed until a refuge is found.

As television sports programmes are interrupted by a news flash about the dangerous medicines, announcements are made for Mrs. Nugent to contact the police.

Collected from Mrs. Wilson's shop by Policemen, Mavis is driven to where the Inspector is waiting. Looking west towards Rotherhithe Tunnel and the steps leading up to Butcher Row in Limehouse E14. A similar view, twenty years later, can be seen in 'Party Party'.

The patrol car turns into the road where Inspector Duffy's Zodiac is standing. Helen Pearce recognised the building as the Seimens cable factory in Bowater Road, Woolwich SE18. A major local employer, there was much angst when the works closed in 1968.

Inspector Duffy tells Mrs. Nugent that her Children may be in possession of dangerous drugs.

On his allotment, a Gardener's dog sniffs at a shed before Simon bursts through the door and makes a run for it.

At Charlton Athletic's ground, an appeal is put out for Alan to go to the Players' Entrance. The Valley stadium on Floyd Road in Charlton SE7.

Followed by other Officers, Inspector Duffy and Mavis arrive at the ground. Floyd Road at the corner of Ransom Road in SE7.

Keith Prested found that the houses on the southern side of Floyd Road have survived. Coincidentally, there are vehicles parked in similar positions to those in the capture, but no Ford Zodiac in the middle of the road.

As the Zodiac comes to a halt, Alan runs towards the ground's gates. Looking towards the entrance of The Valley, Charlton Athletic's ground with an address on Floyd Road. The location also features in 'The Love Match'.

The entrance shown in the screen capture was opposite Ransom Road and this is Keith Prested's view now. The Valley Stadium was extensively redeveloped in the 1980s and 90s and the large new stand is seen in the background. The club superstore is to the right of the entrance.

Alan explains to Inspector Duffy where the Children are. Facing Floyd Road in Charlton.

Keith Prested explains that the northern side of Floyd Road has been been redeveloped with more modern properties.

With an ambulance ordered to go to Bostall Woods, Alan gets into the car with the Inspector. Looking along Ransom Road from the junction of Floyd Road and Harvey Gardens in SE7.

Ransom Road and the railway bridge with the pedestrian underpass still in the background. Keith Prested remarks "Those trees have grown though."

The race to find the Children before they eat the capsules begins.

Inside a bandstand in the woods, Doreen, Angela and David play a game whilst sharing out the deadly capsules. The Bandstand at Bostall Heath in Greenwich SE2.

Inspector Duffy, Mavis and Alan speed towards Bostall Woods as word is received that Simon has been spotted.

Outside the woods, Ruby (Cheryl Molineaux) and Nev (Michael Byrne) tell Officers that they have seen three Children in the bandstand. Lodge Hill in Greenwich SE2 with buildings belonging to Goldie Leigh Hospital in the background.

Keith Prested explains that Goldie Leigh Hospital is still an NHS Healthcare facility although this particular building appears not to be in use at present.

After the unconscious Nugent children are found and taken to hospital, Christmas music plays as Simon walks along the High Street.

Discovered hiding in the playground's pipe tunnel by a Young Lad on Sunday morning, Simon runs away again.

Hitting a wall as he flees, Simon continues to escape the pursuing Officers and Dog Handler.

As church bells peal in the distance, Inspector Duffy directs his men.

Simon runs between silent warehouses.

Reaching the river, Simon runs onto a jetty.

As Inspector Duffy and the Dog Handler appear from between buildings, Simon remains hidden until spotted from above by a Crane Operator.

The two Officers see Simon as he emerges from his hiding place.

Simon stops and turns when he reaches the end of the jetty.

The dog barks fiercely at Simon.

The frightened man slips from the jetty, grabbing hold of a chain link barrier as he falls.

After being rescued and reunited with his Mother, Simon is driven away.