Memory Lane Exhibition Collection

Newtons rents off Twine Court in Shadwell - the centre of one of the worst slums in Stepney, London. When the picture of the three women

With a felling axe, Harry ( Heathfield ) the Hedger of Charing, Kent, has cut off the stumps of a hedge he previously trimmed. 6 February 1951 TopFoto

RAF fighter pilot of 602 Squadron at dispersal - playing chess while waiting for the call to scramble. Perranporth, Cornwall, 1943 eTopFoto

Old housing in Woolwich, London - 17 October 1951 A TopFoto
Old housing in Woolwich, London - 17 October 1951 eTopFoto

Basket weaving in Swanley 1936 A TopFoto
Basket weaving in Swanley 1936 eTopFoto

MEMORY LANE Photographs from the 1930s, 40s and 50s by JOHN TOPHAM eTopFoto

Winter work indoors. Sorting Majestic seed potatoes - a job for the snowy weather on W Rogers farm at Horton Kirby in Kent. 10 February 1947 eTopFoto

Biggin Hill, Kent. 615 Squadron taking a break. June 1949 photograph by John Topham

Hop pickers returning from the Kent fields loaded up with full sacks of hops - 1935 eTopFoto

King George VI inspects Sea cadets on Navy Day at Chatham in Kent. 12 July 1948 An award winning photograph eTopFoto

Fruit pickers at tea time during their spell of apple picking in the orchards at Malling in Kent. 23 August 1951 eTopFoto

Jim Bradford preparing to haul in the shrimp nets - 1936 A TopFoto
Jim Bradford preparing to haul in the shrimp nets - 1936 eTopFoto

Mr Philip Rye and family - wife and six children, who had lived in this hut at Crockenhill in Kent for more than six years - 5 November 1948 eTopFoto

Hop wiring on stilts - January 1947 A TopFoto
Hop wiring on stilts - January 1947 eTopFoto

The arm of the law - a novel view of a British policeman. 1934 A TopFoto
The arm of the law - a novel view of a British policeman. 1934 eTopFoto

Footpath through cornfield at Tumberton Bottom in Kent - September 1952 eTopFoto

Ploughing in a snowstorm when Britain needed food - January 1947 A TopFoto
Ploughing in a snowstorm when Britain needed food - January 1947 eTopFoto

Dartford - Purfleet pilot tunnel completed. The picture shows the scene in the pilot tunnel when the Essex and Kent tunnellers met in the centre - 11 October 1938 eTopFoto

East Peckham, Kent - going to the hop fields by car in 1938 A TopFoto
East Peckham, Kent - going to the hop fields by car in 1938 eTopFoto

Enjoying the almond blossom in Kent - 1935 A TopFoto
Enjoying the almond blossom in Kent - 1935 eTopFoto

Nursemaids in Rochester, Kent, have a good view of the flying boat tests on the River Medway where the Mayo flying boats are being constructed

Rescue at a factory in Bexley, Kent after a bomb during the Blitz - 30 September 1940 eTopFoto

Vapour trails over Sidcup suggest a dogfight - aerial combat between fighter aircraft.1940 eTopFoto

R A F Empire Day rehearsal at Biggin Hill in Kent - 15 May 1937 A TopFoto
R A F Empire Day rehearsal at Biggin Hill in Kent - 15 May 1937 eTopFoto

Fire at the Darford Paper Mills in Kent which burnt for three days - 3 March 1949 eTopFoto

Children sleeping during the day at Wanstead House School in 1946 A TopFoto
Children sleeping during the day at Wanstead House School in 1946 eTopFoto

Cookery lesson in 1946 A TopFoto
Cookery lesson in 1946 eTopFoto

Folk dancing in 1934 - the Folk Song Society had merged with the English Folk Dance Society in 1932 eTopFoto

Draghunt meets in the fog at Birling in Kent - January 1953 A TopFoto
Draghunt meets in the fog at Birling in Kent - January 1953 eTopFoto

Bexley Heath Swimming Baths opening in Kent - 1936 A TopFoto
Bexley Heath Swimming Baths opening in Kent - 1936 eTopFoto

Children of the hop pickers take shelter to watch the Battle of Britain rage overhead. This became one of the most published pictures of the war - 1940 eTopFoto

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Step back in time and take a stroll down memory lane at the captivating exhibition showcasing photographs from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s by renowned photographer John Topham. This extraordinary collection offers a glimpse into a bygone era, capturing moments that have shaped history. The journey begins in Newtons rents off Twine Court in Shadwell, an area once known as one of the worst slums in Stepney. As you explore these haunting images, you can almost feel the resilience of its inhabitants amidst adversity. With his trusty felling axe, Harry (Heathfield) the Hedger of Charing, Kent takes center stage in another striking photograph. His determination and skill are evident as he cuts through nature's obstacles to shape a better future. Transporting us further into London's past is an image depicting old housing in Woolwich. The worn facades tell stories of lives lived within their walls - tales of struggle and triumph etched upon every brick. In Swanley, we witness basket weaving artisans engrossed in their craft during a simpler time. Their nimble fingers weave intricate patterns with precision and pride – preserving traditions that would soon fade away. Winter brings its own challenges but also opportunities for indoor work like sorting Majestic seed potatoes. These hardworking individuals brave snowy weather to ensure our tables are filled with nourishment even during harsh seasons. A momentary respite awaits us at Biggin Hill where members of 615 Squadron take a well-deserved break. Their camaraderie shines through as they share laughter and stories amidst planes that bear witness to their bravery. Venturing out to Kent's fields, we encounter hop pickers returning home laden with sacks bursting with hops – symbols of laborious days spent harvesting nature's bounty, and is here that generations bonded over shared hardships while finding solace within each other's company. King George VI himself graces this exhibition, inspecting Sea cadets on Navy Day at Chatham.