Who are the bigwigs and where?

[josey]

I agree with youngtug. The high fence behind the crowd has a hoarding on it right of centre. To the left of this is a lady outside a front door, on street level I should think, much smaller because perspective.

Perhaps the opening of a market? 

[Greensleeves]

I disagree - to me it looks most definitely that the row of houses and the adjacent streets are at a higher level.  As observed the street at that level is bounded by a wooden fence with stalls below.  the photo clearly has been taken from above which would suggest that there were properties on the other side of a similar level, with the central area lower than elsewhere.  This to me would suggest an under-pass, tunnel or somesuch.  I have checked out the Blackwall Tunnel but the photos of that don't seem to bear any relevance to this photo.

[mazi]

to me the vase of flowers and the tablecloth look a bit out of place, like they have been hastily borrowed from someones front room.  Are they about to make a presentation to a local lady,
head teacher?  midwife?  who is retiring,  how they are going to get thro' the crowd is another matter.

mike

[youngtug]

  http://www.britishpathe.com/video/stills/a-rapturous-reception

[Ruskie]

Love the old newsreel.
Our 'opening' is not nearly so rapturous though. 
I think the table, cloth and vase of flowers was de rigueur for the opening of anything in those days.
In my first post I also wondered about the strange effect and was confused about the height of houses etc, however I am now convinced that there are two levels - the street above and the scene of the festivities on a lower level.

[Greensleeves]

I agree with Ruskie about the two levels - and I think these can be seen in YT's newsreel pics; excellent bit of sleuthing there, YT.

[youngtug]

Beresford square is on one level. http://www.plumstead-stories.com/photos%20-%20Woolwich,%20Beresford%20Square.htm

[youngtug]

I'm still convinced that the photo in question is on one level

[Ruskie]

I don't think that the newsreel opening of Beresford Square is the same 'opening' in the photograph.
If so, why take photos of the event and sell as postcards, without including royalty in it ....
The crowd would also be much larger - the top level would be heaving with people - as it is three is only a lone woman overlooking proceedings.
Also, visible buildings around Beresford Square are a lot larger and grander whereas in the postcard the houses look like domestic dwellings and very small local style shops.