The Orchid Ballroom Purley

I learned to dance at Fred Brookers (above Burtons in Crown Hill)
and often went to the Orchid. It seems unbelievable now to think that for only half a crown (or was it five shillings?) we could dance in that beautiful venue to the music of big bands. The girls sat around and waited to be invited to dance. At the end we were escorted back to our seats. We dressed up as best we could and now, when I see the young doing whatever they do on a dance floor, I feel so grateful that my dancing days were in the fifties. My late husband did not dance for which I was always a little sad when we went to the odd function
I moved away from Addiscombe in the early sixties but have family their so have watched with sadness many of the changes.
Even my school, Lady Edridge Grammar, was knocked down.
It is good that Surrey Street Market and The Town Hall Gardens remain. Do you remember Glaziers Coffee Shop and Batties Bar both in Katherine Street? Also The Black and White Ice Cream Parlour in The High Street. Donkey Rides in Kennards Arcade. I could go on and on. Those of us who grew up in the fifties are now probably considered not to have had very much. I think we had the the most.

I well remember the coffee bar in Catherine Street, I used to study there and get well supplied with coffee from Kenny and Geoff or Ben. They all came out and wished me well on my wedding at he Registry office in 1963..I also went dancing at the Orchid Ballroom with my husband. What fun we had. I think that it was used as a polling station too. Does any one remember Danny Reeves and her cousin Shirley who drank at the coffee bar in Catherine Street. I was friends with them until we moved away to Sussex and lost touch!

I met my lovely husband at the Orchid in 1960, a month before he left for 2 years National Service in the RAF. We married in 1963.

I went to tavistock boys school then served my engineering appreticship at pollick and peel south croydon.went dancing at the orchard ballroom and the rank .my mother owned a house in warren rd addiscome.fell in love with a lovely girl maree for 6 months then left england age 19 for japan.settled in new zealand never to return.the 60s was the best era of our times.miss it.chris r Dessa.