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ette. Warm baths for men and women are to be bad at Greenwich,
Plumstead and Woolwich and, at the former two premises, in addition
to Turkish and Vapour Baths, public laundries still operate.
In winter, the large pools at Eltham, Greenwich and Woolwich are
covered and utilised for a wide range of recreational pursuits such
as roller skating, badminton, table tennis, etc., and facilities are
made available for indoor bowling and the use of indoor cricket
practice nets.
The Council has control of the five cemeteries located within the
Borough and, on behalf of the Woolwich, Greenwich and North
West Kent Crematorium Board, is responsible for the modern
crematorium at Eltham.
The unique position held by Greenwich in Britain's history has its
counterpart in the nation's industrial story. From earliest years its
residents have been closely linked with the sea and ships and
Britain's ascendency in respect of them for over 1,000 years. This
association, manifest since before the advent of the ancient "wooden
walls" until after the birth of the "ironclad" has, to a very large
extent, determined the pattern of industry in the Borough.
Early in its history, local industry was influenced by the area's
close association with royalty and the demands which it and its
retinues made on the neighbourhood. For instance, the siting close
to Greenwich Palace of the Royal Armoury in the reign of Henry
VIII gave rise to the production of russet steel suits of armour
which became renowned and modern metal products from Greenwich
continue this distinction. Connections with shipbuilding and
armaments, forged in the days of Britain's peril, are perpetuated in
existing industries. Indeed, throughout its annals, the country has
never demanded armaments and accoutrements from Greenwich
industry in vain. Even records covering the last war will clearly
reveal the great contributions made by these industries with special
reference to PLUTO, FIDO and the famous Mulberry harbour.
In the main, industries and sources of employment of the Borough
are to be found in the vicinity of the River Thames which forms the
northern boundary, Chief among the concerns employing large
numbers of workers are:—
Cablemakers, telecommunications and shipbuilding and repair
works; automobile, construction, electrical and mechanical engineers;
manufacturers of fire engines; manufacturers of tools, gauges,
scientific instruments, tin boxes and containers, paints and lacquers,
glass bottles, ropes, ships' propellers, cement and road surface
materials; works for the recovery of metal and for the production
of castings and for extruded non-ferrous metals and alloys and for
the manufacture of oxygen and rare gases; printers, both letterpress