Thanks everyone for your ever-helpful suggestions.

Unfortunately living on the other side of the world stops me from visiting the Guildhall; will have to save that for another visit.

I think I perused both the above books, but I'm looking more for anything written about sail makers, and living in the Deptford area in 1700s & 1800s. Di

This is the book you want:

http://openlibrary.org/works/OL98724...ning_the_Tide#

Deptford is a fscinating place. It goes back a LONG way ( I live nearby, but that's not why it's fascinating). It has been linked to the river throughout its existence.

Nowadays it's probably best known for Hawksmoor's greatest church:

http://www.westgallerychurches.com/L.../Deptford1.jpg

and the best market in the country.

http://gallery.nen.gov.uk/gallery_im...market_mid.jpg

Thanks Ch!!! Will try to track down a copy of Turning the Tide.

We visited that church on our Deptford walk - we were there on a Sunday, and the service was about to begin. A lovely lady invited us most warmly to stay, but DH has an aversion to things religious, so I declined her offer. My Thomas Miller ancestor was Christened there, and lived only a couple of streets away.

Unfortunately we didn't get to see the markets, but I'd read about how fantastic they were. The colourful dress of the women exiting some of the churches, and the music wafting out more than made up for this though.

Our day there was absolutely freezing, but I kept DH on the move, and feel as though we really got a good feel for that little corner of the world. Cheers, Di

The music of Deptford:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ2cEc_TCH8

and much better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3635AFfu0s

ps one of those dancing girls in the first video is an Inspector in the plod. She keeps it quiet.

pps don't ask us to explain the lyrics!

Thanks CW, I've put Deptford Market on my list for October!