Boarding around the Great Harry pub in Woolwich has been turned into a tribute wall that passers by can leave their comments on

But the community has pulled together and has been leaving tributes to the pub and the town on boarding that has been put up on the burnt out building.

Recruitment manager Ben Bailey organised the tributes through Twitter.

Organiser: Ben Bailey

He said: “When I got here this morning the response wasn’t brilliant but since this has been going on more and more people have been stopping to write.

“I am really humbled by it. It is incredible.

“People are just happy to have a voice and let themselves go, because clearly lots of people have a lot to say.

Mr Bailey had been standing at the tribute wall for eight hours and in that time it had been covered in writing. The only part of the boarding that had not been written on was that which people could not easily reach.

Sandra Thorne from Shooters Hill was a regular at the pub before it was destroyed by fire.

Pub regular: Sandra Thorne

She said: “I am in shock and totally appalled. Just disgusted really, that they can do something like this.

“I am disgusted that people have done this.

"If you're angry about jobs, burn down a jobcentre, but why a pub. Why burn down a community meeting point?"

Having written her own tribute on the wall Ms Thorne added: "I love the writing, it's great and shows people do care about Woolwich.

“I was determined to come here and write on the wall. It shows a real sense of community spirit and is just what this area needs right now.”

Ryan Staines, who now lives in Camden, grew up in Abbey Wood and used to visit the Great Harry regularly.

The 23-year-old told News Shopper: “I was on the bus going past when it all started to kick off.

“Before anything started it was all very quiet. It’s so sad that they have ruined a community pub.”

He added: “The wall is great, people are pulling together and writing what they’re thinking.”

L-R: David Plaice, Linzi Vee and Ryan Staines

Linzi Vee from Thamesmead also used to visit the Great Harry regularly. She said: “It is just pathetic and disgusting. Why would you burn down a pub.

“I am glad that nobody was hurt. This is our community that they’ve attacked and it’s horrible.”

Blackheath resident David Plaice said he was surprised at what had happened, and that he only found out what had gone on in Woolwich on Saturday (August 13).

He described what he saw as “total devastation”.

Derek Rogers of Enshan Drive, Abbey Wood has been visiting the pub since it opened 11 years ago.

Derek Rogers saw the riots unfold

He said: “We were all in the pub and then we started seeing rioters coming down the street.

“The next moment it started to get a bit rowdy to the manager said no more drinks after 8 o’clock.

“Them at 8.30pm we were all chucked out.”

He added: “I went to a pub across the road and when they set it alight you could see the flames. “When the pub is back up and running, I’ll be back here. I haven’t written on the wall yet, but will do. It’s a good idea.”

The pub's manager of 10 years, Alan Munn spoke to News Shopper. He said: "It still hasn't really hit me. I am gutted, completely gutted.

"We are awaiting the results of the building safety, but the company has told us there will be another Wetherspoons in Woolwich.

"Either on this site or somewhere else, we will be back.”

Pub manager Alan Munn

He added: “The regulars have been quite supportive. I maybe expected the windows to be trashed, but not for this to happen.

“The closure of this has not just affected the staff, but everyone who comes here. It is very much a community pub. “

View our picture gallery of the Woolwich tribute wall