Times change - # 273

For more than 100 years until the arrival of steam power this spot - the end of River Lane, Petersham - was a hive of industry. Cargo barges sailed up and down river carrying important cargoes of grain, hides and other commodities to and from London and its great sea port.

At this point they had to change from sail to being pulled by horse because the river became inconvenient to navigate.

At any one time 70 barge-horses were available in stables ready to take on the next barge, or drop it off. This was no quiet beauty-spot, but an important transport interchange.

Nothing is fixed...........change happens, and it happens quickly.