As part of this year’s Corbfest, St Andrew’s Church Hall hosted two screenings of Another Catford on Saturday 12th July. Around 150 people saw the documentary, which traces Catford’s history and asks pertinent questions about its future.

Presenter Jon Wright and Director Ben Honeybone took part in a Q&A after the screenings, compered by Richard Elliott from St Andrews. Many thanks to Tom Steadman and Matt Gray from Catford Film for organising the technical side of the event.

Audience feedback was great. Here’s what people said:

3.30pm Matinee screening

(All reviews 5 stars unless indicated otherwise)

• Wonderful documentation and contextualising of the present day, alongside a cautionary tale not to be seduced by the Emperor’s New Clothes of new buildings and avoid the risk of throwing the baby (existing buildings) out with the regeneration bathwater
• Very informative, could be longer! More social history?
• Brilliant film. It was great to see the evolution of Catford. I was born in 1961 and the memories were endless
• Excellent – really interesting. Can you do a Hither Green one too please?
• Really interesting and well-presented
• Lived in Catford for over 36 years so very interested in all the history – amazed at the entertainment venues. Just hope they bring back a cinema at least! Thank you. Love to see it on YouTube
• The film was so interesting and should be seen by every Catford resident. I loved seeing the more personal stories and getting a peek into the interior of some of Catford’s buildings and homes
• TEN STARS! Fantastic filming and commentary! SO interesting! (Hessie in Fordel Rd)
• An excellent historical record made with love and full of important advice for the future
• A brilliant and informative film. I hope that new Catford developments are in keeping with the past and the ‘green’ issues inform changes. I will make my views known at every opportunity
• Only in Catford 3 years but learned so much from this! Thank you
• Lovely history of Catford. Much I never knew of. Used to travel to Peter Pan Pond and rowed around as a child. May it remain ‘Catford’, and not Glam City Lewisham
• Film very well presented and informative and should be considered by the council as part of the redevelopment plans [4 stars]
• Absolutely brilliant. So informative, well-filmed and well-presented
• Very interesting film. Recognised a lot of old buildings
• Fascinating to learn about the special architecture still in Catford
• Just excellent
• Great film! Fascinating look at Catford history
• Really interesting
• Sooooo interesting! There’s so much information – I’d love to be able to access the film to see it again
• A wonderful film from an angle of Catford I never knew. Some great historic photos
• So inspiring – makes me view Catford with a fresh and more optimistic perspective!
• The film was good and the old buildings were nice to see [4 stars]
• Really loved the history – adds to my sense of place. And makes me think more carefully about the future
• Excellent!
• Great film, would be nice to see more about the Corbett Estate if making future films
• An excellent, very informative film, very well presented. Thank You
• Very interesting. Learnt so much!
• Excellent. Very much to think about and to look at anew
• Absolutely fascinating. Thank you for your hard work

7.00pm screening

• A wonderful film – could have watched another hour! Hope you make another one.
• Enjoyed history and explanation of how Catford developed. Not at all convinced about need to retain brutalist buildings – but equally not convinced about plans to redevelop the centre [4 stars]
• So detailed and informative
• Excellent historically, architecturally and socially. As regards the Council, try to target individual councillors and MP – much more difficult for them to ignore individually than corporately
• Fascinating history and interesting comment on future development/destruction of the area
• Thank you for helping me ground myself in my location (resident only 2 years) and appreciate Brutalism. Great film. Only sorry I didn’t bring other people!
• Very interesting. Would love something similar for Lewisham Central as I live on the border of the area covered by the film. Very enjoyable and informative
• Great film. Worrying future for Catford alas
• Excellent document of Catford. Needs further distribution. Well done and thanks [4 stars]
• Really informative – it helps appreciate more where we live!
• Great informative film – long overdue!
• Brilliant. Huge amount of detail. It would be great if the script was made available
• Excellent, interesting, informative and fascinating – well done
• Really interesting – makes me want to move to Catford!
• Interesting and thought-provoking. It’s certainly made me take another look at the 1960s architecture
• Feeling very connected and will look at the Brutalist buildings
• Very interesting history and also context of future development, particularly regarding renovation of buildings instead of demolition during climate emergency
• Really enjoyed learning about neighbourhood. Let’s get the Council and councillors to see this!
• Beautiful filming. The Council need to watch this
• Enjoyed it v much. Learnt a few things too!
• Brilliant
• Absolutely brilliant, thank you! I have fallen in love with Catford again
• Great film thank you. Let’s keep the fight going
• Very interesting, I think needed a bit more on post-Windrush Catford. And also Charlton Athletic were encouraged to move to Catford by a fish and chip magnate called Harry Isaacs – the Roman Abramovich of his era [4 stars]
• Thank you for an enlightening programme – keep up the good work!
• Very illuminating – have lived in Catford all my 72 years and seen many changes – great to highlight significant positives amongst the negative vibes of those who don’t know Catford
• Fascinating film; interesting and educational. It’s wonderful to learn some of the local history
• Excellent film with challenging views of modern architecture and sustainability. Made me want to explore some parts of Catford that I don’t know (even after living here 20+ years!)
• Very interesting and important film
• A fascinating film showing history and also what we could love architecturally
• Informative, interesting and a very worthwhile investment of time