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 201 - 210 of 242 in total
Finding this site has brought many wonderful memories back to me. I was born in St Mary's Hospital, Croydon. My maiden name was Chappell. I lived in Purley Road, South Croydon not far from the Red Deer until 1957. Every Saturday I travelled to Croydon with Mum or, when old enough, on my own or with friends. Usually Kennards was my first stop where I made for the Arcade to see the ponies and other animals etc. It ...see more
I was born and brought up in Croydon and although I now live in the Channel Islands I still regard it as my home. I remember living in Northborough Road, Norbury and attending Norbury Manor Infants School only briefly. We used to go to the ABC Minors on a Saturday morning and my mum used to clean a dance studio next door. We moved to Lower Addisombe Road about 1964ish and we lived at 11 Alexander ...see more
I'm not sure of the year but I attended a Buddy Rich concert once in the Fairfield Hall. I was living in Holland at the time when I heard of the concert and as he was my idol, I rushed to make a reservation by phone. However, due to transport difficulties, we arrived late. Imagine my surprise when the management apologised and said "We've had to give you two folding chairs - and they're on the ...see more
I lived in Frith Road, Croydon and was in the same class as some of my friends who went on the trip to Norway. My parents couldn't afford the price for the trip (at that stage their were seven of us!). I went with the Mitcham Road Surrey ACF on summer camp instead. A strange thing happend whilst at camp one night, everybody was assembled and the air disaster was announced, I remember being very sad at ...see more
It was my brother Quentin Green who tossed a coin for the last seat on the plane that was to take 34 boys and two masters (Mr Budd and Mr Beacham) to Stavanger in Norway. One boy had to give up his place at the last moment (although there had been, I have come to know, many boys whose parents had to remove them from the trip because they could not afford it), and according to the newspapers at the time this boy ...see more
I was born in 1948 and lived in Waddon Court Road until 1963. I remember the joy of Waddon Ponds just three doors away, and rRunning the gauntlet with the park keepers such as 'Pegleg', a cruel nickname following the 'legend' of a leg break by a swan! The paper shop next door to Coopers was Wickhams and at the other end of the parade was the cafe run by Mr Coombes. He had a daughter Susan. The Saturday milk round ...see more
Memories of Norbury and Thornton Heath are still vivid for me as I revisited the area a couple of years ago and many of the places I recall are still standing. Sadly, many are not. The Rex cinema was a favourite haunt and nearby was 'The Grandison School of Dancing' where I learned ballet for several years. Both now gone. Does anyone remember going to Mrs Nicholson's nursery school in St ...see more
There was music shop on the Thornton Road in the mid 1950s, run by a Ada Lilian Rose who lived there with her three children. It's a bit of a long shot but I'm actually trying to trace someone called William or Bill Black who was a trombone player in The Billy Cotton band, who we think lived in the area and visited the shop around this time. I also know that he worked as a motor mechanic, possibly locally; ...see more
This is the Hospital where I was born
Reminiscences of Kennards Arcade brought back memories for me too. As a child, I was in Croydon for most of the war and "ponies", as we called the arcade, was a favourite spot when shopping. It helped with the war effort by displaying informative and morale-boosting mini-exhibitions along part of its length. Three of these stand out - a "daring" live silhouette of a glamorous young lady, probably inspired by cartoon ...see more