Mansion Open Doors: The Downham 100 Exhibition with Trevor Pybus

To commemorate the Downham Estate’s centenary, the Mansion will be opening its doors on Sunday 10th August for an exhibition containing photos, documents, newspapers and books covering the time period.

Heading up this exhibition will be Downham local Trevor Pybus, who has been working to preserve and highlight the history of the area for the past quarter century. We spoke to Trevor about the story behind the collection that will be on display.

Trevor’s work in this field began as a board member of Downham Pride at the turn of the millennium. “It was a real privilege being on the board of Downham Pride. This triggered my interest in trying to assemble a history of the area and working out why Downham was one of England’s most deprived communities.” Conversations with local people flowed from here and Trevor began collecting their stories. “Everyone I spoke to had a new page to add to the history of Downham.”

Trevor is keen to point out the photography in the collection predates his involvement and was built off the work of the Downham Reminiscence Group, a group formed by residents of the Downham Estate in 1988. “Mrs Q.E Mortimer – ‘Queenie’, as she was known, was a major influence on the work of the group and kept together the original work.” Queenie then asked Lewisham Council employee Jane Hearn to look after the display.

By 2016 the panels had been passed to Sue Wardell, who curated a display at St. Johns Church with pictures from the original group as well as additions from the London Metropolitan Archive. “It is thanks to Sue that we are able to see the collection in its current form today.”

When Trevor became the custodian of the collection, he contributed a host of books that he purchased or was given over the years – “I spend too long in charity shops buying bits and bobs.” Another item added during this period was the Downham Tavern sign, which was given to Downham Men’s Group – another organisation that Trevor is an active member of – as well as picture “painted by a young lady in 1958, when she was 13, of the Woodland Walk” which was given to Trevor by the artist.

The collection covers lots of different themes ranging from school days to transport and World War II, with the war frames being of particular note to Trevor. “They show how women were vital to the victory of the allies – something I believe we still do not fully recognise.”

Plans for this event date back to 2023 when Downham Men’s Group had the opportunity to explore some of the historical manuscripts of the London County Council at the London Archives. “We found the dates of the first homes built in Downham around 1925. We then had a date we could work from for the estate’s centenary.”

For Trevor there is real pride in showing the collection to as many people as possible and highlighting an area that can sometimes be overlooked. “I hope the exhibition creates a conversation and other lines of personal history that we can follow together as this is our common history.”

Beckenham Place Park and the Mansion building were purchased by the London County Council in 1927 for the benefit of the residents of the new estates of Bellingham and Downham. “Bringing a collection to the White House (as the Mansion is known locally) seems like we are bringing the story of Downham Estate to a place that is really important to Downham History.”

The Downham Centenary Market and Exhibition takes place at Beckenham Place Mansion on Sunday 10th August as part of The Mansion’s Open Doors August weekend – more info can be found here.