Midweek Mulberries

Morus Londinium was set up by the Conservation Foundation with Peter Coles in 2016 with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Its aim is to document, preserve and raise awareness of London's mulberry tree heritage. An online interactive database maps over 1000  mulberry trees in Greater London (and beyond), most of them added by visitors to the website and then edited and followed up by Peter and other contributors for Morus Londinium.As we search for long-term funding, the website, with its blogs, maps and a host of valuable information, continues to be hosted by the Conservation Foundation, with support of donations.Dr Peter Coles is the author ofMulberry, a global cultural history published by Reaktion Books and available from October 2019.http://www.reaktionbooks.co.uk/display.asp?ISB=9781789141429

Morus Londinium

"Midweek Mulberries" is a series of lunchtime walks led by Dr Peter Coles.
This walk uses two old mulberry trees to help reveal Lewisham's fascinating history. We start at the site of Lewisham's Silk Mills which once stood on the banks of the Ravensbourne River. Silkworms will only feed on the leaves of the mulberry tree, but this silk mill used imported yarn. Once a major employer in the area - Girls as young as 11-13 worked long hours - the Silk Mills produced silk for buttons and ribbons. All that is left today are evocative street names, like Silk Mills Path, but the presence of the mill can be seen in local topgraphy.
We then cross the Ravensbourne to the site of other long-lost mills near to Elmira Street. The recent housing development around Prendergast Vale School replaced a previous 1960s development which in turn grew up on the site of mill works and Victorian housing.  All that remains is a wonderful 150-year-old black mulberry tree, that once stood in the playground of a Victorian boys’ school.
The walk continues through Victorian streets parallel to the Ravensbourne River, ending at the former Ladywell Vicarage (now an NHS facility).  Built in the late 17th century by Rev. Stanhope,, the building has been developed and extended twice. But hidden from view at the rear is a rare, sprawling black mulberry tree that is anywhere between 150 and 300 years old. Possibly one of the oldest in South London. We will have privileged access to the tree, which is usually closed to the public. Nearby we can see some imposing and eccentric Victorian architecture. The walk finishes within easy reach of Ladywell train station and major bus routes, or a 10-minute walk to Lewisham railstation.

Elverson Road DLR station

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Midweek Mulberries

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Midweek Mulberries

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