The Rembrandt Virtual Tour – Roof

We are grateful to the family of the late Derek Phillips for their permission to use much of the text and images from the website that was set up and run by him. Derek was very interested in local history and his community and a short biography can be viewed on the introductory page.

Unfortunately the most interesting part of the roof remained un-photographed. The inside of the roof void was a fascinating world of steelwork and walkways with dire consequences for anyone who stepped off these and onto the fragile plaster ceiling. This void had to be accessed to change lamps in the lighting troughs and to lower the Chandeliers over the rear circle by winch. In later years (post 1983 rewire) the cheap light fittings were lowered by nylon rope

View from the Roof
Image courtesy of the Phillips family © 2007

Not so interesting, but with better views. From here the firework displays on the Hook Road Arena and at Sutton could be compared.

Another view from the Roof
Image courtesy of the Phillips family © 2007

Just off picture to the right was the apex of the roof – and the lightning conductor. I always found work away from Box One (under the skylight) during electrical storms! Despite my concerns about being the highest point for some distance, the only local lightning strike I know of hit the pavement outside the shops 100 metres way.

Text written by the late Derek Phillips

The Tour

Boring legal stuff relating to this page

As explained earlier the text and images for this page came from the website run by the late Derek Phillips. To preserve his work and allow ready access to it, it was decided to merge his local history pages into the Epsom and Ewell History Explorer website. Of necessity some minor changes to the text were necessary and the layout has been changed to fit in with the house style of Epsom and Ewell History Explorer but in essence the web page is Derek’s.
The family of the Late Derek Phillips makes every effort to ensure that the information on this web page is accurate. However, they cannot accept responsibility for any loss or inconvenience caused by reliance on inaccurate material contained in this site. Links to other sites are provided for your convenience, the Phillips family cannot give endorsement of them. They cannot be responsible for any information contained on other websites.
All material on this site (including text and images) is copyright. Every effort is being made to ensure that all sources are credited. Where no credit is given then it should be assumed that the copyright in any particular item resides with the Phillips family or that the Phillips family should be contacted to ascertain who owns the copyright before text or photographs are reproduced elsewhere. Educational use is permitted provided that no changes are made to the material and Derek Phillips is acknowledged as the source.
Commercial usage is prohibited unless formal written permission is obtained beforehand.