David C. Ramzan

London theatres have hosted thousands of performances of plays and musicals, from ancient Greek tragedies to modern artistic dance. In this book author David C. Ramzan takes a look at the history of theatres located throughout the city. London’s first flourishing of its theatres took place during the Elizabethan and Jacobean period, when Shakespeare, Marlowe, Johnson and a host of other playwrights entertained audiences with a never-ending cavalcade of players and touring companies. Little is left of those days, apart from the reconstructed Globe Theatre on the South Bank, after many of the Tudor and Jacobean playhouses had been pulled down or had fallen into ruin under parliamentary rule after the English Civil War. London’s theatreland truly evolved during the early eighteenth century into today’s live entertainment industry, many performances taking place from a variety of historical buildings. London’s Theatrical Heritage takes a nostalgic look back at the capital’s theatreland and present-day locations, from the smallest of intimate venues to the largest of the West End’s playhouses. The story of theatre in London will delight and enthral anyone interested in the stage, plays and players, and the theatres where they perform. This book is accompanied by contemporary photographs, archive images, illustrations and theatre ephemera.

The history of Greenwich is inseparable from its maritime history and royal palace. In later years, industries also built up along the River Thames’ frontage, including the massive power station that powered London’s tram and Underground systems. Today, the old industrial area on the peninsula in East Greenwich is home to the O2 dome. Greenwich’s pubs reflect the town’s history, from the Georgian Cutty Sark and Trafalgar Tavern on the river, to pubs serving the market, cinemagoers and residents. It is also the home of the Meantime Brewery, which acknowledges the Meridian Line centred on Greenwich. In Greenwich Pubs, author David C. Ramzan takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the area’s watering holes, many of which have retained features and traditions of previous ages. Brimming with quirky tales and fascinating facts, this carefully crafted guide initiates readers into the fascinating history of Greenwich’s pubs.

In March 2020, London, along with the rest of Britain, entered a lockdown designed to protect the community against the Covid-19 virus. The teeming metropolis became devoid of people and traffic; places normally crowded with people were suddenly empty. In this book author David C. Ramzan explores how London changed in this period through the evolving measures in the pandemic from 2020, and gives the history behind the scenes he captures, covering topics such as the Black Death, Great Fire of London, the Second World War and the Blitz. London in Lockdown is a poignant reminder of the devastating changes to people’s lives in the capital during this period.

From a low road bridge crossing the Fosse Way near Trewsbury Mead to the towering Queen Elizabeth Bridge linking Kent to Essex, the River Thames is crossed by over 200 bridges, some simple wooden or stonework structures, others magnificent architectural constructions. Stretching across the southern counties of England, starting as a trickle in a Gloucestershire meadow to the vast expanse of tidal water leading into the North Sea, the course of the River Thames defined local kingdoms, tribal lands and later the counties situated to the north and south of the river. Throughout this time, although London Bridge was the first permanent structure to traverse the river in London, other bridges crossed the Thames further upstream, first simple structures erected for moving livestock and carts from one field to another, where the waterway dividing farmland and pasture was too wide or too strong to cross by fording, then new building techniques made it possible for carpenters and stonemasons to construct permanent structures to link communities, hamlets, villages and towns. Of the 200 bridges many have fascinating stories to tell, of their construction and historical events which surround them, from prehistory and Roman times up to the twenty-first century. In this book author David C. Ramzan explores the economic and social history of these Thames bridges, some unassuming, but no less important, while others are unique in design and construction.

Greenwich was home to a royal palace from medieval times and was a particular favourite of the Tudor monarchs, and the Royal Observatory was built in Greenwich Park in the reign of Charles II. Lying on the River Thames in South East London, it has a strong maritime heritage, reflected today in the buildings of the Royal Naval College and the National Maritime Museum, and the Cutty Sark in the dry dock. The centre of Greenwich has long attracted many to its market, shops, museums and theatres, but Greenwich has also been an industrial area and recent decades have seen massive changes along the riverfront and on the peninsula where the old industries have been largely swept away in urban regeneration schemes. Greenwich Reflections features an exciting collection of historic and modern pictures that are individually merged to reveal how the area has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures in this book combines a recent colour view of Greenwich with the matching sepia archive scene. Through the split-image effect, readers can see how streets, buildings, the docks and everyday life have transformed with the passing of time. Author David Ramzan presents this fascinating visual chronicle that ingeniously reflects past and present glimpses of Greenwich. This book will be of interest to residents, visitors, local historians and all those with links to the area.

The historic Royal Borough of Greenwich is well known for its magnificent maritime, military and civil architecture, ancient royal park, ship and boat building, and pioneering developments in scientific discovery, light industry and manufacturing. Its streets stretch out across the Meridian Line and show how Greenwich evolved into a working-class suburb of London, where a workforce of several thousand was employed in the many industries located along the riverside and across Greenwich Marsh, where the bodies of river pirates were once hung in chains. With stories of Greenwich’s remarkable history and heritage encompassing the martyrdom of St Alphege by Viking raiders, the birth and death of celebrated kings and queens, the heroic exploits of famous generals and sea captains, bold military and naval actions, and the many amazing scientific and industrial inventions and innovations that placed Greenwich on the international time zone map, David Ramzan navigates the reader through this A to Z, discovering the places, people and events that have brought fame and fortune to Greenwich.

Secret Greenwich explores the little-known and colourful history of Greenwich in South East London through a fascinating selection of stories, facts and photographs.

For Charlton Athletic Football Club supporters, their club will always be a part of their lives. A Charlton supporter since the mid-1960s, David Ramzan has seen some of the best and worst of times – from playing in the old Second Division, dropping into the Third, ground sharing with local rivals, promotion to the First Division, then relegation and later promotion in the most dramatic final ever played at the home of English football. On a roller-coaster football journey, the club has always been an integral part of the local community, where organisations run by fans have grown alongside the club since it was first formed in 1905. In Charlton Athletic: A History – produced with the assistance of members of the Former Players’ Association, the club, supporters’ groups and associated organisations – David Ramzan charts the history of the South East London club and also those groups, whether independent or part of the establishment, that have made Charlton Athletic one of the most respected clubs in the world of football.

Greenwich, the nautical centre of the world was also once part of the area of Southbank in London, which was the centre of British shipbuilding. David Ramzan looks at the development of Greenwich and Deptford, discussing their extensive shipbuilding past through the history of three ships, from their planning through to their final voyages. Although less well-known, these three ships have a remarkable history involving sea battles, journeys of discovery and record breaking voyages. They were the East Indiaman Princess Louisa, the iron clipper Hallowe'en, and the Royal Naval frigate Dolphin. Profusely illustrated, the book tells the story of three ships, similar to so many, and tells of their design, construction and use and gives an insight into London's maritime history.

Greenwich has become a well known tourist attraction through naval and royal connections dating back almost two thousand years. Greenwich has gone through many changes architecturally and culturally since tourists began visiting the area in the early 1800s, first by river boat and then by the latest innovation in public transport, the steam railway. Greenwich was put on the map literally in 1884 when Prime Meridian was officially positioned at the Royal Observatory. Queen Elizabeth II bestowed Royal Borough status upon Greenwich, which comes into effect during the Diamond Jubilee in 2012, as recognition of royal associations with this historic riverside town. Essential reading for anyone who knows and loves the area, this publication is a colourful celebration of Royal Greenwich Through Time.