Terry on the Fence (Children’s Film Foundation)

The film's titles appear as aerial shots of London are shown. Here's Battersea to the left and Pimlico to the right with the River Thames running through the centre.

The camera moves to bring Pimlico's Churchill Gardens Estate into view.

Despite the opening views, the film is set firmly on the other side of the City. In the distance stands Brunswick Wharf Power Station in Blackwall whilst on this side of the Thames stands the gas holder belonging to East Greenwich Gas Works, a closer view of which was seen in 'Jubilee'.

Late for school, Terry Harmer (Jack McNichol) dashes from the house. Humber Road, Greenwich SE3. Sharon Bailey tells us that this house belonged to her parents and recalls visiting during filming adding that "When the crew were having a break they would sit and watch the cricket. I also remember that a door had to be slammed for a scene upstairs which they couldn't get right and we were afraid that the door would come off its hinges!"

It seems the front porch covering has been removed, or was a dressing. SJ

The eleven year old hurries along the road. Facing west along Humber Road.

Pillar, walls and bush are the same. SJ

After a heated argument with his sister and mother, Terry storms out of the house telling them that he's leaving home. Plumstead Common Road SE18 with Slade (now Greenslade) School to the left.

The young lad makes his way onto the common. Plumstead Common Road in Plumstead with the corner of Erindale Terrace to the top left.

When a thunderstorm starts, Terry takes shelter in a graffiti-covered bandstand where he comes across Les and his gang of ruffians. Possibly on Plumstead Common if the continuity is any guide. Well yes, says Ray Glenister, but not the bandstand that is circular and on the western triangle of Plumstead common, but the shelter (at least in Part) which stood near the corner of Old Mill Road and Warwick Terrace, London SE18. The structure top left behind the tree is, he believes, part of the Dormer roof of The Kings Warren Grammar School. (RL)

Mr. Harmer arrives home from work expecting to be taking his wife out for the evening. Looking eastward on Humber Road.

Taken at a similar time of day and season in the late afternoon. SJ

Terry's Dad (Martin Fisk) gets out of his car and enters the house to find that his son has gone missing. Humber Road in Greenwich.

A little further back. SJ

1Les (Neville Watson) and his mates capture Terry as he tries to make a run for it. Ron Glenister has established that "the gang chase Terry and capture him in a grassy deep hole that was the Sandpit works, now a garden" and that the house with the darker red roof to the left of the capture is 28 Alliance Road, London SE18 (RL)

Terry is marched to the gang's hideout. Peter Jones identifies this as is Rectory Gardens off Fitzwilliam Road in Clapham SW4.

Taking this comparison, Peter explains that this was, until recently, a commune of small cottages looked after by Guardians.

Unfamiliar territory is passed through. The corner of Oban Street and Leven Road in E14 with the gas holders of Bow Gas Works looming over the landscape. The location was seen in 'A Prayer for the Dying'.

The foreground gas holder has gone and the second of three is being dismantled. SJ

Plastic-head (Brian Coyle) holds Terry as Les tells Mick (Jeff Ward) that he can't stop to buy cigarettes in case his old man turns up. Looking across Oban Street from Leven Road with buildings on Fortrose Close to the left of centre.

The scene now. SJ

The gang continue on their way through a derelict landscape. Ron and Ray Glenister took a wander around Rotherhithe and found the corner of Rotherhithe Street and Elephant Lane, London SE16 looking east from almost outside the Torbay public house. A wider view of the same location can be seen in LMA Collage 52673. (RL)

Many elements of the scene from thirty five years ago remain. (PW)

Tilting down, the camera finds the youths passing between warehouses. A 'deeper' view of Rotherhithe Street say Ron and Ray, that also features in 'A Fish Called Wanda', 'Behemoth the Sea Monster' and 'One Wish Too Many'. (RL)

Rotherhithe Street confirmed. (PW)

Terry's Dad and sister arrive at a construction site as they drive around looking for him. Ron found that the building has now been completed and is known as 'United House', Mayflower Street, Rotherhithe SE16 (RL)

Denis (Matthew Barker) lags behind as Terry is led between more grim buildings. Shad Thames SE1 which was seen in 'Clegg', 'License to Kill', Give My Regards To Broad Street', 'The Alf Garnett Saga' and 'Pool of London'.

A more up to date view of the location by Peter.

Les and his followers reach the riverside with their prisoner. Ron and Ray have spent many hours with this and have been rewarded with Thames Street, London SE10 slightly to the west of the junction with Norway Street. The location itself is now lost within the Dowells Street development. (RL)

Lovell's Wharf in SE10, also seen in 'Plenty', 'The Secret Partner', 'Bronco Bullfrog', 'Four in the Morning' and 'The List of Adrian Messenger'.

By 2010 luxury apartments went up on the right and we lost the Lovell's Wharf wall. SJ

Tracey (Tracey Ann Morris) and her Dad run back to the car after searching the common. Tormount Road, Plumstead SE18 with Saint Mark's with Saint Margaret's Church to the left.

This appears to be Angerstein Wharf SE10, along Bugsby's Reach in the Thames, with the disused Blackwall Point Power Station in the distance. Ron and Ray confirm the Angerstein Wharf, with this shot taken from what is today, Thames Path looking over Greenwich Yacht Club Marina. (RL)

Mr. Harman and Tracey go to Gran's house to see if Terry is there. Mick Lemmerman identifies this as East Ferry Road on the Isle of Dogs in E14, looking across Manchester Road towards Ferry Street with the Lord Nelson public house on the corner to the left of centre.

Mick provides this capture as proof of the previously unidentified location. Image copyright Google.

Inside the hideout, Les forces Terry to tell him if there are any valuable items kept in his school. As Capture 22, say Ron and Ray but here looking north east across the Thames. Today one would be in the much changed location of Greenwich Ecology Park. (RL)

Les and his gang take Terry to his school with the aim of breaking in. This is Halstow Road School on Halstow Road in Greenwich.

Still a school. SJ

Terry tells Les which office the televisions, VCR's and radios are kept in at the school. The corner of Halstow Road and Ormiston Road SE10.

No sign of the postbox. SJ

Checking that the coast is clear, the lads run towards an alleyway that leads to the back of the school. Facing north on Halstow Road with the chimney of Blackwall Point Power Station in the left of centre distance.

Again no postbox but the car's red. SJ

The boys keep running. This alley runs between Halstow Road and Kemsing Road.

Looking east. SJ

Terry climbs the gate with Les and his gang climb before they break into the school. Kemsing Road SE10.

This is the northernmost entrance of the school from Kemsing Road. SJ

Mr. Jarvis (Joe Black), the Caretaker, chases after the youths after disturbing them. Halstow Road School on Halstow Road, Greenwich.

Not much change here. SJ

Les and Terry follow Plastic Head, Mick and Dennis across the playground as Mr. Jarvis shouts after them. The school is currently known as Halstow Primary School.

Mr. Jarvis almost catches up as Les and Terry are the last over the gate. Looking onto Kemsing Road from the playground of Halstow Road School in Greenwich.

Les gives a stolen radio to Terry as insurance, demanding he give it back the following day. Kemsing Road with properties on Ormiston Road visible to the left.

Unchanged. SJ

Terry heads home and Les runs back through the alleyway. Looking from Kemsing Road towards Halstow Road at the other end of the alley.

Looking west into the afternoon sun. SJ

Evening is drawing in as Terry arrives home to his annoyed but relieved family. Humber Road in SE3.

Not a completely convincing comparison. SJ

After the police visit his school, Terry runs home to collect the radio. An access path running between properties on Humber Road.

With the radio returned to the Headmaster, Terry goes in search of Les. Vanbrugh Hill at the junction with Restell Close and Dinsdale Road in Greenwich SE3.

Same steps arrangement. SJ

The riverside is checked for signs of Les or his gang. Deptford Creek, Greenwich SE10.

Terry comes across a shop that he recognises. The junction of Oban Street with Leven Road in Poplar. The gas holders have long disappeared and Sara Sultana advises that a major residential development is planned in the area.

As it looks now. SJ

The shopkeeper tells Terry where Les lives and he heads to the address. Manchester Grove, London E14.

Looking east beyond the close-by Island Gardens DLR with Galleon House peeping above in the background. SJ

As Terry nears the house, Les approaches. Looking towards East Ferry Road from Manchester Grove on the Isle of Dogs.

Showing the doorways of 11 & 13 Manchester Grove with 11's front extended. SJ

A next door neighbour watches from her window as Terry's Headmaster arrives outside the Harmer's house. Humber Road in Greenwich.

From ground level. SJ

Les and Terry head to retrieve one of the stolen radios from Ron, the crook who bought it from Les. Ron and Ray find another one for us as a result of clues in Capture 37. It is the Railway footbridge, Vanbrugh Hill, London SE23 It runs parallel beside the road bridge seen in that Capture. A good 'now' shot can be seen at https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2499477 (RL)

An explosion of growth since. SJ

The two play in the street while Les checks that the coast is clear to break in. Ron continues his work on this film to find us looking at No 86 Braxted Park on the corner with Strathbrook Road, London SW16. The house has added extension since 1989. (RL)

Braxted Road is on my right. SJ

Setting off to look for their son, Terry's Mum (Susan Jameson) leaves the house as his Dad gets into the car. Humber Road SE3.

As in capture 4, the cover of the porch is absent. SJ

When they get stuck in a traffic jam, Terry's Mum gets out of the car and begins to search for her son on the common. Lakedale Road on the edge of Winn’s Common in London SE18 located by Deborah O'Boyle.

While Terry keeps a look out as Les breaks into the garden shed, Ron arrives home in his car. And Ron Glenister reminds us that this is also Strathbrook Road, London SW16 (RL)

That's the same tree doing well which means I should be further back here. SJ

As Mrs. Harmer scours the common, a police car approaches. Recognised by Deborah O'Boyle and confirmed by Nick Day, this is Winn's Common seen from Winn Common Road with properties on The Slade and Swingate Lane in the distance.

After she discovers Terry's duffel bag near to the bandstand and questions Mick who is found nearby, Mrs. Harmer runs over to stop the police car. Identified within minutes of each other by Nick Day and Deborah as Winn's Common in Greenwich SE18.

Ron (Howard Attfield) leaves his house carrying stolen goods to his car. Ron (Glenister that is) finds the other Ron leaving the side access to No 86 Braxted Park onto Strathbrook Road looking north. (RL)

The tree again thriving. SJ

As he drives away, Ron stops to allow the police car to pass. Adding to his list of 'finds' Ron (Glenister) located Streatham Common South with 'The Rookery Cafe' on the right that is still operating. (RL)

The Rookery Cafe is alive and well, adding some parasols. Looking east. SJ

Acting on Mrs. Harmer's information, the Policeman (Ken Witson) arrives outside Ron's house. Looking south on Strathbrook Road, London SW16 as the Policeman approaches the side access to No 86 Braxted Park as identifield by Ron Glenister. (RL)

Swinging around from my previous shot. SJ

As Les cowers behind a tree, the officer catches 'Terry on the fence' holding the stolen radio. Ron has, of course, identified the fence as that of 86 Braxted Park, London SW16 where the new fence (in Strathbrook Road) has had to accommodate that tree given further substantial growth. (RL)

A very new looking fence. SJ