Chipstead memories
Here are memories of Chipstead and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Chipstead or a Chipstead photo.
Our Childhood Above The Shop
We moved into the parade of shops in 1938. Our father opened a green grocery and florist shop at No16 I think? I recall that although the war years were devestating to many people I recall many fond memories growing up in Chipsted with my older sister Valerie. Our father was serving in the national fire brigade and managed to come home from time to time to help our mother run the shop and raise me and my new sister Elizabeth. During this period we were taken to Merthyr Tydfil in Wales along with many children. I also recall that one of the first V1 rockets crashed opposite the shops to which all of us children ran over to look at the wreck and quickly got chased away by the Home Guard. Colin Grimes was one of our good friends, his father ran the Grocery store which was the second from the top. We recall that during these hectic times we spent many hours in the Morris shelter that our... Read more
Church Parade At St Margaret's Church in Hooley
During the period we lived in the Fruit Shop in Hooley (see Hooley pages) I belonged in the Girl Guides and my Sister Moira was in the Brownies. (Actually, when we moved into the Fruit Shop I was still a brownie, but sadly got stripped of my 'Sixer' status I'd had in North Harrow Brownies, as the Hooley Brownies' complement of Sixers was complete.) Once a month we had Church Parade at St Margaret's Church. I remember the very big flag standing in a corner of my bedroom once, as I'd taken it home to polish the trefoil on the top of it. Services at St Margaret's were nice as it is a lovely old church.
High Road Shops
I lived in No 2 Shabden Cottages with my mother and grandfather. Our name then was Wood. I was 6 years old in 1952 and this is my memory. The shops on the left of the road were: the newsagent/sweet shop run by Mr & Mrs Butcher. They had a daughter, Shirley. Mr Bradshaw's shop was originally back further, together with Mr Chiverton's shoemenders shed. On the far end, where there are now houses, were the hardware store and petrol pump, run by Mr & Mrs Barnard. That shop was a treasure trove. You could buy anything from a lawn mower to a single nail. The general store on the right was then run by Mr Hirst, a broad Yorkshire man, and included the local Post Office. I can still remember going into the shops with our ration books!
Shops
A memory jogger: The Post Office first on the left, was run by the Murphy's, later by Mr Tye (spelling may be wrong), next on the left was the greengrocer - Mr Bradshaw, nice chap with grey hair and black horn rimmed glasses I think - reminded me of Johnny Morris, the shop on the right I recall was a grocers ? run by Mr Richmond.
It all looks very quaint by todays standards, like its come right out of a black and white Ealing production, difficult to believe I was part of that now. The Triumph Herald in the picture might even have been my old Mum's (lol, now that would be funny), she spent loads of time doing nothing really but pottering around to the shops and passing away the time. We lived in How Green then , think that was off How Lane - can't remember where that is exactly now.
H. Grimes - Grocer Shop
I have very fond memories of my Grandparents, known as Harry and Nancy Grimes who owned the Grocer's shop shown - No 22. Also as a child growing up in Chipstead, just around the corner from the shops and times when it was safe for children to be out on their own.
I remember crossing the road to wander up to the woods picking bluebells and primroses, would not be allowed today! and in the winter tobogganing down the slopes.
Family Links
My family (Garle) lived in Chipstead back in the late 1800's early 1900's. I believe an uncle Henry Garle with a son of the same name lived in Frith Hall. I am interested to know if the hall still exists?
Are you able to help please?
Sincerely - Sue Thick (nee Garle)
Enquiry
I have a photograph of this cottage in an old album - it was known as Ruffels Wood then and and was owned by my family!
Is it still there today?
Sue Thick (nee Garle)
The Cottage
My Grandmother used to live opposite The Cottage in The Cot - she used to "do" for the people who lived there - it brought back such memories - I last saw it when I was on embarkation leave during the war.
Memories of Surrey
My First Job!
I was born in Hooley, so I am an original "Hooligan"!! My family lived in Brighton Road, Hooley, about 300 yds to the left of this photo, in fact my mother still does. My first Saturday job was in the newsagents, Fords, which is the second shop along. Mr Merritt had the butchers shop at the end of the parade. How it has changed!!
Cheryl Holdway (nee Wakeling)
Hooley Shops
I moved to Hooley in March 1950 at the age of one month. (6 years before my sister Cheryl, (see other memory comments) was born. in addition to her comments, we had the full range of shops: from the garage (left) Peat and Townsends: grocers; Fords: newsagent / post office; "Camile": Ladies hairdressers; the Hooley Cafe; Porters: chemist / haberdashery; The Fruit Shop: greengrocers; Lee's: Baker and Confectioner (later stocked groceries as well) finally Merrit's the Butchers. Who needed Sainsbury's back then?? As a Wolf Cub and Scout I remember cleaning the glass display units in Fords and chopping fire wood in the greengrocers for "Bob - Job". I still live in the village but the only original trades left are the petrol station and newsagent - the Post Office closed after several robberies. The rest of the shops are now Antique Dealers!
Roger Wakeling
Netherne
Hooley Hospital, although near Hooley, was in fact Netherne Hospital for the mentally ill. Those patients allowed out frequented the Hooley shops, The Star public house (long gone due to road widening) and village jumble sales. The hospital site is now an up market housing estate and renamed Netherne -on the- Hill.
Roger Wakeling
My Great Great Grandparents
My great-great-grandfather George (or could be James) Jackson lived in Star Lane Cottages. Apparently the Jacksons had been Hooley people for many years. He kept sheep for a butcher on Farthing Down, Croydon - I can remember going to Farthing Down with Dad as a child where there were boat swings and a cafe - I am not sure if it belonged to my family or if it was a friend of Dad. My great-great-grandmother, possibly called Elizabeth, ran a little sweet shop in Hooley, possibly until the early 1900s. My great-great-grandfather apparently drank a lot in the Star Public House, he was a big man with curly hair. Can anyone remember the sweet shop or the Jackson family with around 11 children?
Cosy Corner Cafe
My grandparents (Mr and Mrs Riches) owned the cosy corner cafe on the Brighton Road and we lived at 93 Brighton Road. I've been told it is now a Costa Coffee or something like that. The last time I went there is was a Happy Eater and one of the waitresses remembered my Mum and Aunt (Girlie). I too remember going to the boat swings and cafe but didn't remember where they were so it was good to find out. I remember the patients from the hospital walking past our house on Sunday afternoons. My sister and I used to sit on our wall and wait for them to come past and talk to them. Mrs Violet Porter (Auntie Vi) who owned Porters on the parade was a friend of my grandparents and we often went to tea on Sundays.
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