Nostalgic memories of Sydenham's local history
Share your own memories of Sydenham 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 all 10 Memories
I went to Sydenham girls with Angela Smith, Pat Metcher, Paulette Savage, Janis Brush, Pearl Harkens! I remember Ms.Wright, she was a real tyrant with red nails & pearlescent high heels & used to give me detention for wearing nail polish!My English teacher was Miss Garood and she was lovely! I used to try and bunk off at lunchtime to go riding on my boyfriend Ken s lambretta & pop in the "crit"(criterion) for an ice cream or milkshake! Rose Merrifield
I went to Sydenham County Girls school and left at 15 in 1963. Someone made a comment about Terry Maidment -that rang a bell, as my sister, Janet, used to go out with him for a while. I knew Brian Jacks very well - and did anyone know Ronnie McKay, Penny Hackman and Gwyn Tanner? Would love to catch up. I lived bang opposite Sydenham School, my then name Doreen Mahony and my sister was Janet. Would be great if I got an answer.
I remember leapfrogging over the safety bollards outside the pub, opposite Cobbs the shop, I must have been about 8 or 9 (about 1955), the last one I became hooked up by my skirt. Can't remember how I got down, but I didn't do it again in a skirt.
I started Kelvin Grove school in Kindy in 1952 and left in 1958. I was in Mrs Doubleday's class of about 50 students-not at all surprising she was very strict. I especially remember Mr Cousins a very firm but fair teacher. I now live in Australia and still have fond memories of Kelvin Grove. I lived in Sydenham and walked to school with my sister and other children in my street.
12th of may 1959, not a warm day, and it was a Monday...strange day to get married? cant remember why now.
Lived in digs in Tannsfeld Rd. for a while, moved away for a few years..... then lived at 26 & 28 Venner rd, before they were demolished, so sad... they were strong solid houses.
Sydenham always seemed to pull me back, but I am now settled in Sevenoaks in sheltered housing.
My maiden name was Duckworth...ring any bells for any of you oldens ?.
I used to live in Lawrie Park Gardens from 1955 until 1962 and the local youngsters used to congregate at the big tree on the roundabout at the end of Lawrie Park Avenue. At times there were around 10-15 of us all sitting chatting and just hanging out there. Some of the kids came from Chulsa Road flats and some from Sydenham itself. The ones I remember the most were Terry Maidment, John Unwin, Dave Basset, ...see more
Me and that lampost know each other quite well, my dad and I were walking towards Cob's Corner to catch the No 12 bus home from having our hair cut at Mr Davy's, the Cypriot barbers at the bottom of the high street. For what ever the reason, I was walking and looking the wrong way - my dad called just to late and "smack" there it was. He fell about laughing - I just balled. My mum had more sympathy. This huge lump was just made to look biger with my short hair.
Wayne
I was christened in this church in 1952. We lived in Crystal Palace Park Road, and I was a Cub Scout there as well, 4th Sydenham. I remember one year we entered a 'Soap Box' go-cart in the soap box derby that was held in Brighton along the sea front. I thought ours was going to win because it went so fast in the test we did, so we called it the 'Barts Bomber', well it bombed out but we had a great day out. I went ...see more
I would have taken the 11+ at Kelvin Grove. I remember the laundry behind the school blowing up. I went there from 1952 to 1958 and lived in Forest Hill. Teachers I remember are: Ms Doubleday (very strict - nobody liked her!), Ms Eckersley - everyone liked her, Mr Cousins - good teacher, very strict, threw the board eraser at anyone talking. Ms Grafton, was the headmistress of the infants, I think, and Mr ...see more
I went to St Michael's School in Champion Crescent. My grandparents Annie and Ernie bines lived opposite the road. Good times.