Sidcup Explained

Official Name:	Sidcup
Static Image Name:	File:Sidcup High Street - geograph.org.uk - 657079.jpg
Static Image Caption:	Sidcup High Street
Map Type:	Greater London
Coordinates:	51.4263°N 0.1024°W
Population:	15,400
Os Grid Reference:	TQ461718
London Borough:	Bexley
Region:	London
Country:	England
Post Town:	SIDCUP
Postcode Area:	DA
Postcode District:	DA14, DA15
Post Town2:	LONDON
Postcode Area2:	SE
Postcode District2:	SE9
Dial Code:	020
Constituency Westminster:	Old Bexley and Sidcup

Sidcup is an area of south-east London, England, primarily in the London Borough of Bexley. It is 11.3miles south-east of Charing Cross, bordering the London Boroughs of Bromley and Greenwich. It was part of Kent prior to the creation of Greater London in 1965.

The name is thought to be derived from English, Old (ca.450-1100);: Cetecopp meaning "seat-shaped or flat-topped hill"; it had its earliest recorded use in 1254.^[1]

According to the ONS, as of 2021, the population of Sidcup is 15,400 (rounded to the nearest 100).^[2]

History

Origins

Sidcup originated as a tiny hamlet on the road from Maidstone to London. According to Edward Hasted, "Thomas de Sedcopp was owner of this estate in the 35th year of king Henry VI. [i.e. in the 1450s] as appears by his deed."^[3] Hasted described Sidcup in the latter part of the 18th century as "a small street of houses, among which is an inn of much resort", referring to the former Black Horse pub on the high street.^[4]

Sidcup parish formed the Sidcup Urban District of Kent from 1908. It was initially known as Foots Cray; however, in 1921 the urban district,^[5] and in 1925 the parish,^[6] were renamed Sidcup. The parish and district were abolished in 1934 and combined with Chislehurst to form the Chislehurst and Sidcup civil parish and urban district. In 1965 the parish and urban district were abolished. Sidcup went on to form part of the London Borough of Bexley in Greater London and Chislehurst formed part of the London Borough of Bromley.

Recent

A number of manor houses, converted to other uses, remain. They include Frognal House, the birthplace and residence of Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney, converted for use as residential and nursing accommodation; Lamorbey House, now used by Rose Bruford College; Sidcup Place, a bar and restaurant; and The Hollies, converted for residential use.

Area

Sidcup borders Blackfen to the north, Albany Park to the northeast and east, Foots Cray to the south-east, Chislehurst to the south and south-west, New Eltham to the west and Avery Hill to the north-west.

Sidcup has a mixture of large Victorian and Edwardian properties alongside typical 1930s suburbia. It retains many parks and open spaces hinting at the great estates and large homes which once stood in the area.

The town contains Queen Mary's Hospital, a large Leisure Centre, four colleges and three secondary schools. Sidcup High Street is the main retail and commercial street, and there are some other shops and local businesses on the adjacent Station Road. In 2014, Sidcup High Street was the subject of a £1.8 million regeneration scheme In Store For Sidcup paid for by London Borough of Bexley.^[7]

Most of the district is within the London Borough of Bexley, however, several parts in the North are under the governance of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, including Southspring, Greenhithe Close, Halfway Street (offsite Avery Hill), Radfield Way, Croyde Close and Overmead.

Geography

Sidcup lies south-west of Bexleyheath; north-east of Bromley; north of Orpington; north-west of Swanley.

Demographics

In 2021, the estimated population was given as 15,400. 18.5% of residents are aged 65+, slightly above the statistics for the whole of the London Borough of Bexley. At the census of 2021, the non-white population of Sidcup was recorded at 18.1%; the largest minority group were Asian or Asian British (7.0% of the total population). The percentage of those who are separated or divorced (including dissolved civil partnerships) was 11.0%, just above that of the entire borough at 10.6%. 48.5% reported Christianity as their religious belief which was lower than the borough average, with 'No religion' being the second largest category at 38.8%, higher than the borough average of 33.6%.

Education

Primary schools in Sidcup include: Birkbeck, Burnt Oak Junior School, Chatsworth, Days Lane, Holy Trinity Lamorbey, Longlands, Orchard School, Our Lady of the Rosary, Royal Park, Sherwood Park, and St Peter Chanel.

Secondary schools in Sidcup include Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School, Blackfen, Cleeve Park, Hurstmere and Kemnal Technology College.

Bird College, Christ the King: St Mary's (RC) Sixth Form College, and Rose Bruford College all have sites in Sidcup.

Healthcare

Sidcup Cottage Hospital was opened in 1882 in Birkbeck Road, Sidcup.^[8] The building soon became too small and new premises were opened on the corner of Birkbeck and Granville Road in 1890. The premises became financially unviable and closed in 1974. The building was demolished and Sidcup Health Centre, now known as the Barnard Medical Practice was erected in the site.

Notable staff included:

• Alice Fortune Hodgson (1881-1942), Matron from 1913^[9] until at least September 1939.^{[10] [11] [12]} Hodgson trained at The London Hospital under Matron Eva Luckes between 1903-1905. She remained there as a private nurse, undertook her midwifery training, and worked as a staff nurse before she left in 1908. As Matron Hodgson and the nursing staff were present when a long term in patient was confirmed into the Church of England by the Bishop of Rochester in 1931.^[13]

Queen Mary's Hospital was opened in 1917 with 300 beds in a number of wooden huts. Until 1925 it was the central military hospital for the reconstructive surgery of war veterans, led by Sir Harold Gillies The original hospital closed in 1929, being reopened as a general hospital in 1930 by Queen Mary, after whom it was named. A new building was opened in 1965.^{[14] [15]} Since 2013 it has been managed by the Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust.^[16]

Sport and leisure

Sidcup has a Non-League football club Sporting Club Thamesmead F.C. who play at the Sporting Club Thamesmead. On Sydney Road, there is a Sidcup Sports Club, housing the local rugby and cricket clubs.

Sidcup also has a Leisure Centre on Hurst Road with 2 pools and a gym.

The Sidcup and District Motor Cycle Club was formed at the Station Hotel, Sidcup in 1928. The club owns the Canada Heights motorcycle sport venue in Button Street, Swanley.^[17]

Culture, identity and community

Sidcup is home to the Rose Bruford College of drama and Bird College, both of which have several famous alumni, and the Sidcup Symphony Orchestra,^[18] which also serves the wider South East London area. In an interview with Lake Bell (who studied at Rose Bruford College) in 2015, comedian James Corden described Sidcup as "the armpit of England" on his late night American chat show The Late Late Show with James Corden.^[19]

The murder of teenager Rob Knox at the Metro Bar on Station Road in 2008 was national headline news. Knox was an aspiring actor who had, just before his death, filmed a small part in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. He was killed protecting his brother from a group of youths.^[20] His murderer, Karl Bishop, also from Sidcup, was later found guilty of murder and sentenced.^[21] Following Knox's death, his family have campaigned to end knife crime among young people.^[22] The Rob Knox Foundation has organised a Rob Knox Film Festival in Sidcup and the neighbouring town of Bexleyheath, and a bench was dedicated to Knox at St John's Church in Sidcup in 2015.^[23]

Transport

National Rail

Sidcup railway station opened in October 1866, a month after the opening of the Dartford Loop Line on 1 September 1866. It is 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Sidcup town centre. The station provides the area with Southeastern services to London Charing Cross and to Gravesend.

Roads

Sidcup High Street is on the A211, following in length the old London – Maidstone – Hythe road. The A211 starts just at the eastern end of Eltham High Street, running through New Eltham, then alongside the A20 Sidcup By-pass before ending at Foots Cray, where the B2173 continues towards Swanley along the former A20 road. The A211 connects the two main roads in this district; Station Road and Main Road.

East Rochester Way on the A2 road runs partly through the district, adjoining Blackfen Road. This road provides links to the Blackwall Tunnel and Kent.

Buses

Sidcup is served by a number of Transport for London bus routes, namely the 51, 160, 229, 233, 269, 286, 321, 492, 625, 669, B14, R11 and SL3.^[24] These connect Sidcup with areas including Bexleyheath, Bromley, Catford, Crayford, Chislehurst, Dartford, Eltham, Greenwich, Erith, Lewisham, New Cross, Orpington, Swanley, Thamesmead, Welling & Woolwich.

Notable residents

• F. Matthias Alexander (1869–1955), Australian actor and inventor of the Alexander technique, lived in Penhill House, Sidcup, for 30 years^[25]
• Harry Arter (1989–) footballer (Bournemouth F.C. and Republic of Ireland), born in Sidcup^[26]
• Steve Backley (1969–), Olympic javelin silver medallist, born in Sidcup^[27]
• Gareth Bacon (1972–), politician and leader of the Conservative Party in the Greater London Assembly
• Sam Bailey (1977–), winning contestant, The X Factor, grew up in Sidcup^[28]
• Angela Barnes (1976–) actress, stand-up comedian, born in Sidcup
• Michael Barnard, (1976–) darts player, lived in Sidcup
• Christopher Battarbee (1975–), cricketer (Oxford University), born in Sidcup^[29]
• Lake Bell (1979–), American actress, lived in Sidcup while studying at Rose Bruford College in the 1990s.^[19]
• Doreen Bird (1928–2004), dance teacher, lived in Sidcup and established Bird College^[30]
• Quentin Blake (1932–), illustrator, artist, born in Sidcup^[27]
• Denis Bond (1946–), children's author, actor and scriptwriter, lives in Sidcup^[27]
• Tom Burns (1944–), Catholic bishop, lived and ministered in Sidcup and taught at St Mary's School in the 1970s^[31]
• Garry Bushell (1955–), journalist, lives in Sidcup^[32]
• George Albert Cairns (1913–44), recipient of the last Victoria Cross of World War II, lived and worked in Sidcup^[33]
• Sheila Callender (1914–2004), haematologist, born in Sidcup^[34]
• Ben Chorley (1982–), footballer, born in Sidcup^[35]
• Charlie Clements (1987–), actor (EastEnders), born in Sidcup^[36]
• Jason Crowe (1978–), footballer, born in Sidcup^[37]
• Jay Darlington (1968–), musician (former keyboardist for the band Kula Shaker and currently a member of the band Magic Bus), born in Sidcup^[38]
• Ian Davenport (1966–), abstract painter and former Turner Prize nominee, born in Sidcup^[39]
• Douglas Harries (1893–1972), Royal Air Force air vice-marshal and first-class cricketer
• Joe Healy (1986–), footballer who previously played in the Football League for Millwall, born in Sidcup^[40]
• Deren Ibrahim (1991–), Gibraltarian footballer, born in Sidcup^[41]
• Alfred Garth Jones (1872–1955), illustrator, spent the last years of his life in Sidcup
• John Paul Jones (1946–), bass guitarist (Led Zeppelin), born in Sidcup^[42]
• Rob Knox (1989–2008), actor, murdered in Sidcup^{[43] [44]}
• Douglas Macmillan (1884–1969), founder of Macmillan Cancer Support, lived in Knoll Road from 1924 until 1966, and also ran his charity from that address. Bexley Civic Society placed a blue plaque on the house in 2010^[45]
• Ivan Magill (1888–1986), innovative anaesthetist, worked in Sidcup^[46]
• Lee Murray (1977–), former kickboxer and mixed martial arts champion, convicted of the Securitas depot robbery, lived in Sidcup^[47]
• Emma Noble (1971–), model and actress, born in Sidcup^[48]
• Mike Rann (1953–), Premier of South Australia, politician, born in Sidcup, lived in Blackfen prior to emigrating to New Zealand with his parents^[49]
• John Regis (1966–), Olympic sprinter, lived in Sidcup^[50]
• Mark Ricketts (1984–), footballer, born in Sidcup^[51]
• Wayne Routledge (1985–), footballer, born in Sidcup^[52]
• Gerard Shelley (1891–1980), author, translator and Catholic bishop, born in Sidcup^[53]
• Nevil Shute (1899–1960), novelist and aeronautical engineer, lived in Hatherley Road from 1924 to 1930 while working at Vickers in Crayford^[54]
• Ethel Smyth (1858–1944), composer and suffragette, born in St. John's Road, Sidcup^[55]
• Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney (1733–1800), politician and Cabinet minister, lived in Frognal House, Foots Cray^[56]
• Gordon Watson (1971–), former Sheffield Wednesday footballer, born in Sidcup^[57]
• Elizabeth Wiskemann (1899–1971), historian and journalist, born in Sidcup^[58]
• Doug Wright (1914–98), cricketer (Kent and England), born in Sidcup^[59]

Fictional residents

• In the Harold Pinter play The Caretaker, Davies repeatedly says that "all his papers" are in Sidcup, and he will return there, but is "waiting for the weather to break".
• Roderick Spode — fictional politician and fashion designer, was the 7th Earl of Sidcup in the Jeeves stories by P. G. Wodehouse.

Bibliography

• Book: Mercer, John . 1994 . Sidcup: A Pictorial History . Chichester . Phillimore & Co. . 978-0-850-33907-9 .
• Book: Mercer, John . 2013 . Sidcup & Foots Cray: A History . Stroud . Amberley Publishing . 978-1-445-61195-2 .

External links

• • Bexley London Borough Council website

Notes and References

1. Book: Mills, Anthony David . Oxford Dictionary of London Place Names . . 2001 . 0-19-280106-6 .
2. Web site: Build a custom area profile - Census 2021, ONS . 2024-03-18 . www.ons.gov.uk . en.
3. Book: Hasted, Edward . Edward Hasted . 1797 . The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent: Volume 2 . 135–141 .
4. .
   The phrase of much resort means much frequented or visited.

   The Black Horse was for several years used for adult education;, however, it lies empty.

5. Web site: Vision of Britain through Time:Foots Cray UD . A Vision of Britain through Time.
6. Web site: Vision of Britain through Time:Sidcup CP/AP . A Vision of Britain through Time.
7. Web site: New-look Sidcup High Street after £1.8 million regeneration. Newsshopper. 15 September 2014. 16 August 2015.
8. Web site: Sidcup Cottage Hospital . 28 January 2024 . Lost Hospitals of London.
9. Matron’s Annual Letter to Nurses, No.21, Matron's Annual Letter to Nurses, 1894–1916; RLHLH/N/7/2, No.21, April 1914, 43; Barts Health NHS Trust Archives and Museums, London
10. Rogers, Sarah (2022). 'A Maker of Matrons'? A study of Eva Lückes's influence on a generation of nurse leaders:1880–1919' (Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Huddersfield, April 2022)
11. Hodgson, Alice Fortune, Register of Nurses, General Part 1922, 146; The General Nursing Council for England and Wales; The Nursing Registers, 1898–1968 [Available at: www.ancestry.co.uk, accessed on 14 September 2018].
12. Hodgson, Alice F., RG101/1244H; 1939 England and Wales Register for Chislehurst and Sidcup, Kent; The National Archives, Kew [Available at: www.ancestry.co.uk, accessed on 14 September 2018]
13. 28 March 1931 . Confirmation Service in Hospital . Gloucester Journal . 6 . The British Newspaper Archive.
14. Web site: Celebrating 100 years of QMH . Oxleas NHS Trust . 28 January 2024.
15. Web site: Queen Mary's Hospital . Lost Hospitals of London.
16. Web site: Queen Mary's Hospital . Oxleas NHS Trust . 28 January 2024.
17. Web site: Trials. 30 March 2020.
18. Web site: Sidcup Symphony Orchestra . 24 August 2015 .
19. News: Bell. Jess. 'It's not the armpit, but it's close': James Corden trashes Sidcup on chat show. 11 June 2017. News Shopper. 22 August 2015.
20. Web site: Lusher . Adam . Sawer . Patrick . 24 May 2008 . Harry Potter actor Robert Knox stabbed to death protecting his younger brother . telegraph.co.uk . 24 August 2015 .
21. News: Man guilty of Potter actor murder . BBC News . 4 March 2009 . 24 August 2015 .
22. Web site: Christie . Sam . 12 June 2013 . Mum of Sidcup knife victim Rob Knox 'not surprised' by high weapon crime in Dartford . newsshopper.co.uk . 24 August 2015 .
23. Web site: Griffiths . Josie . 15 August 2015 . Church bench tribute to murdered Harry Potter actor, Sidcup's Rob Knox . newsshopper.co.uk . 24 August 2015 .
24. Web site: TFL Bus Route Map from Sidcup. https://web.archive.org/web/20150529165240/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/bus-route-maps/sidcup.pdf . 2015-05-29 . live.
25. Web site: Surnames beginning with A. bexley.gov.uk. 13 November 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160609204629/http://www.bexley.gov.uk/article/3296/Surnames-beginning-with-A. 9 June 2016. dmy-all.
26. News: O'Brien. Brendan. Harry Arter looks to make up for lost time. 9 February 2017. Irish Examiner. 25 March 2015.
27. Web site: Surnames beginning with B. bexley.gov.uk. 13 November 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161114003306/http://www.bexley.gov.uk/article/3307/Surnames-beginning-with-B. 14 November 2016. dmy-all.
28. Web site: Barking and Dagenham Post. Barking and Dagenham Post.
29. Web site: Player profile: Christopher Battarbee . CricketArchive . 2019-12-25.
30. Web site: Our Founder. Bird College of Dance. 13 November 2016.
31. Web site: Rt Rev. Tom Burns . Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales . 8 August 2020.
32. News: Woods. Alan. Columnist Garry Bushell throws support behind Sidcup's Waitrose campaign. 13 November 2016. News Shopper. 3 July 2012.
33. News: Johnson. Boris. Metal thieves dishonour the war dead with their vandalism. 13 November 2016. 7 November 2011.
34. 93866. Callender, Sheila Theodora Elsie.
35. Web site: Ben Chorley Profile. aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk. 13 November 2016.
36. Web site: Charlie Clements. IMDb.
37. Web site: Jason Crowe – football stats. soccerbase.com. 13 November 2016.
38. News: Jay Darlington, born in London, England, keyboardist... May 3 in History at BrainyHistory.com. BrainyHistory. 2018-03-10. en.
39. Web site: Ian Davenport . University of Warwick Art Collection . 9 November 2013.
40. Web site: Joe Healy Football Stats Dartford Age 34 Soccer Base. 2021-04-16. www.soccerbase.com.
41. News: Cawdell. Luke. Dartford searching for goalkeeper to replace Deren Ibrahim after call-up to Gibraltar's World Cup qualifying squad. 17 November 2016. Kent Online. 30 September 2016.
42. Web site: John Paul Jones. https://web.archive.org/web/20161114011241/http://www.led-zeppelin.org/biographies/1376. usurped. 14 November 2016. led-zeppelin.org. 13 November 2016.
43. Web site: Glendinning . Lee . 24 May 2008 . Harry Potter film actor stabbed to death . theguardian.com . 24 August 2015 .
44. News: Edwards. Richard. Harry Potter actor Rob Knox: profile. 13 November 2016. Daily Telegraph. 4 March 2009.
45. Web site: Surnames beginning with M. bexley.gov.uk. 9 December 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161114002312/http://www.bexley.gov.uk/article/3362/Surnames-beginning-with-M. 14 November 2016. dmy-all.
46. Web site: Wildsmith. Prof. Tony. Dr Ivan Whiteside Magill. Royal College of Anaesthetists. 13 November 2016.
47. News: SIDCUP: Cage fighter Lee Murray will not be extradited over Securitas robbery. 13 November 2016. News Shopper. 2 July 2009.
48. News: Major becomes a grandad. 13 November 2016. BBC News. 29 July 2000.
49. Web site: Rann's last stand: Will step down October 20, 2011 . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 1 December 2015 . Williamson, Brett . ABC Adelaide.
50. News: Rowbottom. Mike. Athletics/European Championships: Regis is latest to join list of wounded. 13 November 2016. The Independent. 9 August 1994.
51. Web site: Mark Ricketts – player profile. eurosport.com. 17 November 2016.
52. Book: Barry J. . Hugman . The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11 . 2010 . Mainstream Publishing . Edinburgh . 978-1-84596-601-0 . 362.
53. Web site: Members of the San Luigi orders: Archbishop Geoffrey Paget King. san-luigi.org. 17 November 2016. 13 November 2012.
54. Web site: Surnames beginning with S. bexley.gov.uk. 9 December 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161220075528/http://www.bexley.gov.uk/article/3376/Surnames-beginning-with-S. 20 December 2016. dmy-all.
55. News: Give town's musician a noteworthy tribute. 17 November 2016. Bexley Times. 25 June 2009.
56. Web site: Frognal. bexley.gov.uk. 17 November 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160214180044/http://www.bexley.gov.uk/article/10692/Frognal. 14 February 2016. dmy-all.
57. Web site: Profile. 16 October 2014. Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Transfer Database.
58. Web site: Elizabeth Wiskemann. ed.ac.uk. University of Edinburgh. 17 November 2016. 13 July 2015.
59. News: Hodgson. Derek. Obituary: Doug Wright. 17 November 2016. The Independent. 20 November 1998.