Trident Hall
Park Row, SE10
Unbusy Ben asks:
Trident Hall at the beginning/end of Crane Street, what goes on in there ( I thought it was where sailors did their Christmas panto's) and who owns it?
The Phantom replies:
It's easy to walk straight past this unassuming 20th century building, its being sandwiched between Trafalgar Quarters and The Trafalgar Tavern and not being as 'pretty' as either of them. It's a secretive sort of place - not something that is talked about much, and as far as I'm aware not much at all goes on there now, but in its early days it was a veritable hive of activity.
Unbusy Ben asks:
Trident Hall at the beginning/end of Crane Street, what goes on in there ( I thought it was where sailors did their Christmas panto's) and who owns it?
The Phantom replies:
It's easy to walk straight past this unassuming 20th century building, its being sandwiched between Trafalgar Quarters and The Trafalgar Tavern and not being as 'pretty' as either of them. It's a secretive sort of place - not something that is talked about much, and as far as I'm aware not much at all goes on there now, but in its early days it was a veritable hive of activity.
It was built as a lecture theatre for the Naval College - and used heavily for that purpose, especially during the heady days after the introduction of the Department of Nuclear Science and Technology (ohhh, yes. I'll get onto that another day...) and all that Cold War stuff.
On a jollier note, yes, Ben - it was used as a theatre for entertainment purposes, so it's not beyond imagination that off-duty sailors donned the tights and wigs, slapping their thighs in the name of panto.
Malcolm Godfrey, who has written several books about Greenwich Ghosts, tells a creepy story about the place, when it was hired out to a local am-dram group in the late 80s. Eltham Opera were busy rehearsing for Oliver! when a couple of cast members were puzzled to see a gentleman in full costume, who was most definitely a bit old to be in Fagin's gang. He wandered through the auditorium and out through the back - except there is no rear exit...
When they mentioned the fellow's 'costume' - complete with tunic, breeches and a tricorn hat, it was noted that they had just described the old 18th Century uniform worn by the pensioners. Malcolm Godfrey points out that the hall is built on the site of the old maintenance yard and hospital workshops. Shiver.
And the owner? I can't be completely certain, but I have heard rumour of the worst. That it has been bought by Greenwich Inc for a hotel. In its current form it would be difficult to do much with it for that purpose, so I have a horrid suspicion that it will go the usual route of being razed...
Labels: Places of Interest, Secret Greenwich
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
08:32
19 Comments:
A building is always better with a ghost. In fact it seems nearly all of Greenwich has some sort of ghoul in residence. I wonder if they all get together at any point? Dancing away in the Painted Hall drinking Nelson's brandy!
Yes I have heard that it is indeed owned by Greenwich Inc. They have plans to build a boutique hotel on the site with a walkway over Crane Street so guests can access the Trafalgar Tavern for functions and what not...
I walked past a couple of weeks ago and the side door was open. Very interesting to see the inside, but got glared at by the workmen inside so didn't hang around. Looked like a stage at the Back complete with orchestra Pit. (Might have been a low floor though, so don't quote me....LOL)
Can't see that it will be big enough for a Hotel, not many rooms, but I expect that lots of deals will be done with Weddings in the Trafalgar!! And of course, with then new Bar/Restaurant down the road by the Cutty Sark Pub.....well, is there no end to the gentrification of Greenwich??
What new bar/restaurant near the Cutty Sark?
The one in the new block, with the 'outside seating area'. I haven't been down there for a couple of weeks now so don't know if they have got any further than the planning application notice outside.
I think he means Iron Anchor Wharf.
I suppose the Iron Anchor in the corner should have given me a clue to the name......LOL
Anyway, it's the bit thats been empty since it was built between the Power station and the Pub........
Greenwich Inc had a planning application notice up saying it was going to be a Bar/Restaurant with a (hoped for) midnight license. Personally I wouldn't have thought you'd get the footfall from Tourist to warrant it but maybe they are planning on the locals using it more??
Personally I'd just like to see something go in there. It always looks so forlorn with an empty ground floor.
I have often wondered whether the land they've conveniently fenced-off in front of the development is actually theirs, or a sneaky land-grab they're hoping no one will notice...
There are/were notices up saying the land in front was "not a public right of way" whether thats true who knows? The license application has been in that window so long all the important information has faded away. Still I hope somthing does happen in the future because I still havnt had a decent pint in a clean glass from The Cutty Sark which is severly restricting my sunset drinking venues.
What does the latin motto in the picture translate as?
"Non illi imperium"
Anyone know ?
It's something to do with 'those people without power' - or something along those lines! Sorry, my school girl latin is very rusty!
I think the latin must refer to the famous lines from Virgil's The Aeneid - the full latin quotation is "non illi imperium pelagi saevumque tridentem, portarum vigiles" which translates as
"Not to him is given by fate the empire of the ocean and the potent trident, but to thee"
...but of course
(9% in school Latin exam)
I asked the same question on a Latin Forum and received the answer below which is slightly different regarding the "but to thee" bit - so who's empire do you think it is - his or ours ?
email reply :
"It looks like it comes from the Aeneid.
Maturate fugam, regique haec dicite vestro:
non illi imperium pelagi saevumque tridentem,
sed mihi sorte datum.
Hasten your flight, and tell these things to your king: the empire of the sea and the savage trident
has not been given to him, but to me by lot."
Wow - I'm impressed with all this latin. Someone sent me a link for websitegrader.com which normally ranks my blog as being of 'primary/elementary school level of understanding (never quite sure whether to be offended or not about that) but with all this latin I thought it would 'imrpove' my intellectual standing. Not a bit. I'm still as primary/elementary as ever...
I'm afraid the Anchor Iron Wharf bar/restaurant is owned Frank the Yank so don't expect anything amazing.
A friend and I went passed the 'open door' that Dazza mentions and we actually went inside for five minutes. A very friendly workman let us view the place and spoke about the plans for it.
As has been recorded already, it will be a hotel with a swimming pool that can be used either for guests or, at a flick of a switch, the private owner next (an electric 'curtain' - we were told). The owner clearly loves Greenwich ;) - he's getting quite familiar with the place...
It was very strange being in there - a dark, dank old theatre - still with its seats, a large stage, high ceilings and up-turned tables. Talk about a time capsule....
I took a 30-second movie on my mobile phone (TGP - happy to forward).
The workman also mentioned the ghost.
Glad to have seen a place that so many people must have enjoyed 40 or so years ago.
Oooh yes please SoC - I'd love to see it
Cheers
Will try and work out how to do it on my new phone! (It's a bit dark - the 'movie' that is - and I don't think it'll win any Oscars.)
(My post should have said: '..with a swimming pool that can be used either for guests or, at a flick of a switch, by the private owner next door...')
Clearly, work on the property is well underway now. I think it's a good thing.
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