Martins Bank and Mottingham School, Mottingham, c. 1950

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Mottingham's first school, on the right of the picture, opened in 1877 close to the Victorian developments in West Park and Mottingham Lane. It remained in use until severely damaged by a flying bomb on 18th June 1944. Pupils were then transferred to Ravensworth and Dorset Road Schools.

Remaining derelict for many years, in 1968 the site was used for a branch library.

Martins Bank arrived in the village in 1897, initially open just one day a week. Around the time of the first World War it took over these impressive premises.

Formerely it was a baker's, built in a style suitable for its location on the corner of up-market West Park in the 1890s.

Following amalgamation with Barclays in the 1960s the branch closed about 1990. The building is now a restaurant.

See historic maps of Mottingham