Coulsdon memories
Here are memories of Coulsdon and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Coulsdon or a Coulsdon photo.
One of my Playgrounds
I lived in Tollers Lane, Old Coulsdon and would regularly go to the Marlpit Lane rec' to play rounders, football and hide and seek around the memorial. There was a hole in the chain-link fence behind the memorial which gave us access into the working chalk pits and the goods yard and sidings of Coulsdon North Station. We hunted for lizards and slow worms amongst the debris and building materials stacked in the goods yard and ate our picnics in the 1st Class carraiges of the trains parked in the sidings.
In later years I would stop off for pop at the cafe in the rec' on my way home to Coulsdon Rise from Chipstead Valley School or Coulsdon South Station.
Another Coulsdon Playground
I lived in Tollers Lane, Old Coulsdon 1946-59 before moving to Coulsdon Rise. Farthing Downs was one of our favourite play spaces. Walking down the rough lane opposite our house to Tollers Farm, on down into Happy Valley and up through Devilsden Woods to the Downs. We built camps along the way and cut hazel to make our catapults, bows and arrows, and cow-parsley stems for our pea-shooters. We would ride on the swing boats for free, running away when the lady came out of the tea rooms for money. We could buy ‘pop’ at the tea rooms and take our picnics to Red Barn, a nick-name I think, for the red roofed barn belonging to a farm on the outskirts of Nethern Hospital, west of the downs.
Such a pity that changes over time preclude youngsters from the age of 6 or 7 having such adventures at play without fear, or the need, for adult supervision. The freedom and outdoor life served us much better than a ‘playstation’. Thank... Read more
T Walton Greengrocers
I used to work in the greengrocers situated on Brighton Road near the junction of Malcolm Road. I used to do deliveries on the carrier bike around Coulsdon and work in the shop. But after 15 months I had to leave as I was transfered to Streatham and being only 15 and living in Caterham and using buses, it was too far to travel.
Sunday School
I used to attend Sunday School classes at this church, when we lived in The Drive Coulsdon from 1962 to 1965. One day after church my Mum, who had come to meet me, had an old holdall in which was the prettiest tortoiseshell kitten which we named Cindy.
Visiting as A Child
My memories of Coulsdon are very vague as I live in Scotland.
My Father met a wonderful man named Bernard during the 2nd world war.who came from Coulsdon. Bernard was over 7 feet tall and this is the only thing I remember about him apart from his lovely nature.
We visited Coulsdon several times to live with Bernard and his family. I have a feeling it was army houses though I am not sure if this was the case. What I am sure of is that it remains in my memory as THE most wonderful place I have ever been to (and I have traveled a lot) We went for glorious walks along leafy lanes and everything was so beautiful. My husband and I visited last year but I could not recall any landmarks.
Your website is wonderful and I have really enjoyed looking through the photographs of old Coulsdon Many many thanks.
Ailsa Marshall maiden name Carse ailsam@talktalk.net
Memories of Surrey
54 Oaks Road
I lived at 54 Oaks Road Kenley from about the age of 18 months with my twin sister Pamela and our brother Roger who was three years older. My maiden name was Brookbank.
I remember the back garden was very steep on several levels, and right at the top was a gate that led into the woods, and these woods eventually opened out onto a playing field. We used to play in the woods for hours as children, and were never frightened, and our mother didn`t have to worry about us in those days.
My father had a large garden roller which one day crashed down the steep garden, gaining momentum and smashed his motor bike which was parked at the bottom! He built a large conservatory on the back of our house which seemed huge to a little girl, and I can still remember our mother putting us to bed every afternoon for a sleep, but of course we just played and messed around!
I remember my father... Read more
Lived Here Twice
We lived here as a family from 1972 until 1985, where my parents ran an Old Folks Home, in Church Road.
In 1998 I took a flat in Valley Road, Kenley for two years after the breakup of my marriage, before in 2000 following my parents down to Worthing where they both subsequently passed away in 2003 and 2005.
Kenley was a very nice place to live, although running the business became very stressful for us as my dad over-extended himself.
These Steps
When we were living in Church Road, Kenley where the church is situated, we lived right next door at No 16, at the time a Reverend Edwards was the vicar and I used to be a cross bearer for Sunday Service.
While were running the old folks home as previously mentioned, a couple Bill Atterton aged 72 and Doris Cox 67 who were both residents at the home got married here.
The steps in this picture are in Kenley Lane and are the back entrance to the churchyard. Where the two boys in the picture are was parallel with our back garden and there was many a time when my brother and I ran up and down these same steps.
Going to Work
When I was working for Nat West Bank in the 70s I used to travel on the train from Kenley Station every day to go up to Caterham and back.
The up line terminates there while the downline goes via Purley to East Croydon and London, and I have stood on both sides of this platform hundreds of times waiting for the train to arrive.
When I returned to Kenley in 1998 I found that apart from a lick of paint, it had not changed very much and probably has not now.
A Late Wedding
When we were living in Church Road, Kenley where the church is situated, we lived right next door at No 16. At the time a Reverend Edwards was the vicar and I used to be a cross bearer for Sunday Service.
While were running the old folks home as previously mentioned, a couple, Bill Atterton aged 72 and Doris Cox aged 67, who were both residents at the home got married here. Bill, a widower, had been married before, but Doris who was also blind was still a spinster. It was very sweet and made the local press at the time.
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