Nostalgic memories of Croydon's local history
Share your own memories of Croydon and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 181 - 190 of 242 in total
My father's brother Hugh Lewis from Portdinorwic, North Wales, was a shoe buyer at Kennard's (11 - 13 North End) until the early 1930s. Are there any photos of the store from around that time, I wonder? I presume the area has been demolished and re-built by now, but if there are any photos / memories, I'd be glad to see them.
Many thanks,
Gareth Lewis (Cardiff)
I was born in Rotherhithe in 1939 and moved with my parents to south Norwood when I was 3.
I went to Cypress Primary School during the last year of the war and remember vividly walking from home in South Norwood Hill to school following nights of air raids and dogfights over our house. My memories are of passing spaces where the homes of my schoolfriends once stood. Also ...see more
My name is Silvya Waston, born 1943 at St Mary's, went to school at Fair Childs, lived in Grenville Road. My dad was John Waston, if there is anybody out there who knows me please email.
With the 50th anniversary of the tragic air crash involving my classmates in 2011 I thought I would add a few memories.
I could so easily have been on that plane had it not been for the fact that I wanted to buy my first cycle. I saved half the cost towards one I had my eye on. The plan being to ask my parents for the other half instead of going on the school trip. A cunning plan that worked and now I am a retired ...see more
I'm not a native of Croydon, but I remember visiting The Six Bells when my uncle was the landlord there during the 1960s. I was in the army at that time, based in Harrogate, Yorkshire and when heading for home in Weymouth when on leave, I would lodge there overnight on my way. My uncle's name was Ralph Beaden, and aunt was Chris (Christine). They sold Courage beers if my memory serves me correctly and I ...see more
I was born in Lancing Road, numnber 38a, and have an elder brother John. I can remember at one end of the sStreet corner was a vegetable shop and the other was a junk yard, at the other end was a sweet shop and the other side was a grocers by the name of Hopkins, where I can remember going for a half pound of broken biscuits. Around the corner was Purely Way Roundabout, where my dad took me every year to stand and ...see more
I have great memories of going to the Croydon Sweet Club and dancing the night away to sounds of the Liquidator and many more reggae songs, dressed in two-tone tonic suits and doing a lot of stomping.
I was only 14/15 years old and was still at school and had my first ever drink of cider at the Sweet.
I lived in Mitcham but used to go to Croydon. I remember pony rides at Kennards store when I was a kid and ...see more
Ah yes, I remember it well. It was magical to go there and dance the evening away. So many great bands in the 50's. The floor was great, the music super. I learned to dance at a place called Quinns dance school near south Croydon. Tony and Marjorie were great teachers and MC's. I was born at Mayday hospital, and was raised in Riddlesdown, near Purley. Attended St Annes College in Sanderstead till ...see more
I have been searching Google Earth photos, I cannot find any trace of The Granada Thornton Heath. It appears to have now been demolished. What a shame, a part of my childhood has disappeared completely John Wimpenny 16.5.2010
Maybe a bit later but I remember a shop on Pitlake Bridge that sold unusual foreign plastic kits and Toys - There was another in Southbridge Road as well, or maybe the same one moved there..
I also recall going into a sort of bookshop with a small printing press near the window. My Dad was a printer and I think wanted to show me the machine. From what I know now, this must have been a left wing / anarchist hangover ...see more