Kenley, The Downs c.1955

Photo ref: K169002

I was born in one of these houses, my parents moved into the house in 1959,. It had been damaged by a bomb in October 1941. We would walk down to Little Roke Road to get rolls from the bakers every Saturday morning and there was a green we’d play on but not ball games as it was too sloped. We moved to Valley Road in around 1972

These steps led to my parents garden which had belonged to the church, but was sold to my parents with the house Bredune which I believe was the vicarage. I lived there for 12 years.

I lived in 11 Hayes Lane and have wonderful memories of the house and the garden which my father took beautiful care of. I have a hazy memory of a large mansion fire, burning in the distance which we could see from our upstairs windows. I also remember there was a train crash and my dad gave a survivor his raincoat to keep him warm, I must have been about seven at the time. I remember the big snow storm of 1947; ...see more

My dad was born in Lower Road, Kenley. Sadly he passed away in July 2012, but we often would sit and talk about Kenley. He remembered Roke School and playing up on the downs at Riddlesdown. He used to mention that there were caves in that area. My dad also was a choir boy at the church in St James Road at the junction with Godstone Road in Kenley. I also lived in Kenley for just over a year from 1986 to 1988. I also went to ...see more