The Orchid Ballroom Purley.

Ah yes, I remember it well.  It was magical to go there and dance the evening away.  So many great bands in the 50's.  The floor was great, the music super.
I learned to dance at a place called Quinns dance school near south Croydon.  Tony and Marjorie were great teachers and MC's.  I was born at Mayday hospital, and was raised in Riddlesdown, near Purley.  Attended St Annes College in Sanderstead till 1950, then went to work in London.
I remember the trolley cars that ran along the Brighton Road to Croydon where I shopped with my parents and siblings.  Loved the Davis theatre and saw Maurice Chevalier and some wonderful Ballet performances there.  My favourite stores were Kennards, Grants, and Allders, where my friend and I went for lunch sometimes  and had "beans on toast" all we could afford back then.  They had "tea dances" there too. I learned to swim in the great city pool near Surrey Street.  I visited Croydon in 2004 on a trip from my home in the USA, I could barely recognise the city after so many years.. I am enjoying reading other peoples memories of Croydon and the surrounding areas. Thanks so much.