Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries are the final resting place of thousands of our forebears. Established in the mid-nineteenth century, the cemeteries commemorate the dead as well as offering a vital green space for those seeking nature, solitude, or wonderfully rich grave iconography.
This short documentary looks at users of the cemeteries and the attractions of its varied spaces. We also spend time with a small group interred here who have gone before. Highlighted are two poets, David Jones and Ernest Dowson; social reformers Rachel and Margaret McMillan; and Maggie Khondoker, proprietor of Maggie’s Cafe, a Lewisham landmark. The living and the dead are not far apart.
A film that began in lockdown
I began filming during Covid lockdown, when the skies were free of noisy planes disturbing the peace. The documentary was created for the Friends of Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries as a way of showcasing the wonderful features of the cemetery, as well as the important work of the FoBLC.
I am a historian, film maker and long-time resident of Ladywell. I hope you enjoy the documentary.
Andrew Dawson