Cherished Memories
Finding this site has brought many wonderful memories back to me. I was born in St Mary's Hospital, Croydon. My maiden name was Chappell. I lived in Purley Road, South Croydon not far from the Red Deer until 1957. Every Saturday I travelled to Croydon with Mum or, when old enough, on my own or with friends. Usually Kennards was my first stop where I made for the Arcade to see the ponies and other animals etc. It was a magical place at Christmas with Santa's Grotto and lovely decorations. Then I would go across the road to Allders which seemed a huge shop to me. Then along the High Street to Martin Fords or C&A. I loved Surrey Street Market. I learned to swim at the swimming baths down Scarborough Hill at the end of the market opposite Millets. My teacher was called Ross Eagle. I remember the water was always freezing cold and was always glad when the lesson was over. Then maybe I would visit the posh shop called Grants where things seemed very expensive. There was a shop called Nigels, an American shop, down Crown Hill where my mum bought most of my clothes. Then there was Reeves Corner which was a furniture shop. I still remember most of the old Cinemas and Theatres... the Odeon, Eros, Davies Theatre, Grand Theatre, Classic and also the Astoria and Regal Purley where I went on Saturday mornings. We moved to Wallington when I was eleven and then to The Isle of Wight in 1981 for 25 years. I now live in Cyprus but will always cherish my childhood memories of Croydon.
Memories Links
Other memories of Surrey Street Market c1955
Add a Memory for another place
Tips & Ideas
How has this scene changed?
Do you know who lived or worked here?
Why is this photo significant to you?
Particular points of interest - transport, architecture, fashions etc.
Comments
5 comments have been shared so far in response to the memory "Cherished Memories".
Why not get involved and post your comments using the comment form below.
Comments
RE: RE: Cherished Memories
Asking to draw on other people's memories of Croydon and Thorntons Heath!
During and after the second world war, there was a children's home, very near to Mayday Hospital. Does anyone know what this was called?
Comment from Teresa Paul on Monday, 10th January 2011.
RE: RE: Cherished Memories
Your memories are almost identical to mine! I wasn't given as much freedom to wander around, maybe a bit younger? However, the trip to Kennards and the ponies and arcade was the highlight for me also. I was taken to Thornton Heath swimming baths but never learnt to swim, and still can't. My mother told me that Croydonians had a very specific 'twang' due to the southern Welsh families that moved there. Do you know if this is true? We lived at South Norwood and Mum had a hairdressing salon there, and Dad had a small steel fabricating business in Pavement Square I believe in Addiscombe. I believe, near to the Town Hall in Croydon, there was an arts and crafts shop called Turtles which we would wander around in. Is it still there? I also have left the area and the country and live in Greece.
Comment from Pauline Komninos on Tuesday, 26th October 2010.
RE: RE: Cherished Memories
There used to be two toy shops near the alms houses in central Croydon, one on Crown Hill almost opposite Turtles and the other halfway down George Street on the north side. The second was called Hamleys and was a branch of the famous London store of the same name. I remember the second one very well. I was taken there on my fourth birthday in 1939 where my parents bought me a Tri-ang lorry. It was red, green and had silver doors over the bed as it was modeled after a Dust Cart (garbage collection truck). Clutching my new prize I was then taken to Croydon General Hospital and handed over to the nurses in the children's ward. Next day I had my tonsils removed! A great way to celebrate a birthday. I will always remember that day and my little toy. I remember Turtles, not for Arts and Crafts but for all the tools, nuts, bolts and other DIY stuff. There was also a similar store opposite Grants called Hammond & Hussey. I still have a few tools my father purchased there. For me it was always interesting to see the big trams negotiating the single line of tracks between Allders and Grants. You could take the tram all the way into Central London in those days. I attended Stanley Trade School in South Norwood, Croydon Polytechnical on Scarborough Road and then Croydon Technical College when they built the new building in the old car park. In 1967 I left Croydon. Much has changed since then.
Comment from David Roberts on Saturday, 25th December 2010.
RE: RE: Cherished Memories
Santa's grotto, Hamleys .......and Turtles ! My, oh, my - I'm back there now, wandering around the haberdashery aisles with my ever-practical, beloved Mum.
Comment from T Kent on Friday, 13th January 2012.
RE: RE: Cherished Memories
P.S. Had my tonsils out at Croydon General too, whilst a pupil at Tenison's Grammar School, Selborne Road.
Comment from T Kent on Friday, 13th January 2012.