“Woolwich is a slightly crazy, colourful clothes wearing alcoholic dysfunctional aunt that you look forward to seeing. She has great stories and makes you feel warm but you wish she’d get some help. She has a calm peaceful side that not many people see.”
Liz’s life in Woolwich started in 1983 at a Women’s Aid refuge, after her mum had left an abusive relationship. Proud of her Irish, Scottish and Romany roots, she now has her own family here. During our conversation she shared a nostalgic love for Woolwich, and reels of stories which she enjoys telling to anyone that will listen. We discovered we both share a love of our local Wimpy!
Liz’s journal
I came to live in Woolwich in 1983. My mum left my Dad and we moved to a Women’s Aid refuge in Woolwich. I’ve moved between Charlton and Woolwich ever since. I loved the part I live in now way before then as I used to drive over shooters hill to visit my grandparents and thought it was magical. Although I remember the first times visiting Woolwich centre when we moved there and it just smelt of KFC.
My background is a mix of Irish, Scottish and Romany. My Mum and family keep the Irish part alive quite strongly.
At the moment my day during the week consists of taking the kids to school, coming home and working, lots of Zoom calls for work, hopefully getting out for a walk at lunchtime in the woods but often not! Picking kids up, they play out with friends in the woods til I finish work at six – then it’s homework, uniform washing, dinner, hang out for a bit and bed. I talk to my Mum most days and visit her every couple after work, she lives at the bottom of the hill and my walk includes visiting her.
Woolwich makes me feel nostalgic, at home and alive.
Woolwich is a slightly crazy, colourful clothes wearing alcoholic dysfunctional aunt that you look forward to seeing. She has great stories and makes you feel warm but you wish she’d get some help. She has a calm peaceful side that not many people see.
In central Woolwich I visit Wimpy way too much! It was the first meal for me and the kids when we were allowed to eat in again 😊 Otherwise it’s Oxleas woods and café!
I think it’s sad that the market isn’t as big and vibrant as it used to be, it’s still very mixed and crazy which I love. I feel like the regeneration work in the Arsenal isn’t part of Woolwich, it seems cut off and separate. It’s a long time ago now but it’s a shame the university moved and there was once a bookshop!
I’d protect the Arsenal arch and the woods. Oh and the Kings Troop. I can’t think what I’d add, but the Waterfront leisure centre to be regenerated would be good. If I could remove something it would be the drug and drink problem in the centre, but by supporting the people not by making them vanish with social cleansing!
Circular walk route map
woolwich wandering 