This was the village green of East Dulwich and long ago was connected to Peckham Rye Common. It was part of the manor of Camberwell Friern and was purchased as an open space in 1868. It may have received its name from the time Mrs Dench kept donkeys and geese on the green. Another theory is that it was originally called Gorse Green for botanical reasons. There used to be a pound for stray animals which is shown on Dewhurst's 1842 map. There were two ponds, one on the site of St John the Evangelist Church. There was a drinking fountain erected on the green in commemoration of the Jubilee of Queen Victoria (1837-87). In Memories of the good and bad old days of childhood contributed by some East Dulwich people Elsie Stukings wrote: 'When the war years came in 1914 we children used to look through high railings round Goose Green and watch the soldiers drilling, and there were horses and tents as well'.

We are grateful for permission to reproduce the text here to John D Beasley, from his book East Dulwich, available for £7.95 from South Riding Press, 6 Everthorpe Road, London SE15 4DA.