Nostalgic memories of Croydon's local history

Share your own memories of Croydon and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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Displaying Memories 91 - 100 of 242 in total

A lot has been posted about Wandle Park but what about Duppas Hill? I well remember the gun emplacement at the top of Duppas Hill and I remember the noise they made when they were firing, I lived not a stones throw away in Abbey Road. Another thing I remember about Duppas Hill was the fact that it was indeed a hill and during the winters we had some good toboggan runs down these slopes. Oh such happy times! ...see more
I worked at a large boarding & quarantine kennel for a year or two back in the late 60's or early 70's, in the Croydon area and I wondered if anyone remembers the name or even location - or anyone that might have worked there. I always thought it was owned by Spratt's but I don't know if I'm mistaken - I loved working there and don't even remember why I left.
Sorrry to correct the lady who wrote about the swimming pool having two pools. In fact there were three pools - two indoors and one outside where I learned to swim and got my swimming certificate - which was in those days a 'stifficate'. Oh, how I remember Miss Heritage correcting me! Anyone who wants to chat, you will be welcome. My nane is john Knapp and my e-mail address ...see more
I remember the school very well, I left in 1953. Does anyone recall some of the teachers names such as Mr Bonner, Headmaster, Mr Burrows, Science Teacher, Mr Chambers, PT and Geography. The school captain was Phil Jones and I was vice captain. Phil and Mike Woods were great friends of mine. I remember looking out of the woodwork class windows trying to see the girls in their playground. I also ...see more
I am Irish and did nurse training in the Mayday Hospital from 1962 until 1965. The work was very hard, but we, the student nurses, enjoyed a good social life. I loved visiting all the shops in Croydon but had very little money to spend; we earned about 12 pounds per month (yes per mont). The Irish nurses went dancing in an Irish club in Balham, some of us met our future husbands there, as I did. We ...see more
The pub in the middle distance on the right is The Red Deer. On the triangle, which is formed by the junction of Brighton Road & Sanderstead Road, where incidentally I later lived & two of my children were born, stood a horse trough. This trough had not been cleaned or serviced in any way for a number of years. Two friends & myself came out of The Star Pub at Broad Green, which is the other ...see more
Hi, my name is Margaret Henderson (nee Percy). I lived in Westerham, Kent but worked in the Croydon Model Laundry. I used to travel by bus to Croydon every day from Westerham and then walked down Surrey Street markets to the laundry; you turned left at the bottom of Surrey Street (BHS was on the corner on the right), the laundry was further along on the right, near a bridge. I loved going down the markets in ...see more
I was born in 1948 and lived in Galpins Road for the first 15 years. Remember many school mates living down the road. I went to Gonville Primary School; still know all the teacher's names, even though it was in the late fifties! Played in the Mayfield rec nearly every night, so mum knew where I was! Moved to Beddington. When I left school at Pollards Hill Secondary in 1965, went to spend four happy years at ‘the ...see more
My father (who lived 98 years) was an amazing character. Back in the 1950's when we lived in Jesmond Road, Croydon he built this strange 'shed' in the back garden. It was thoroughly air conditioned by the fact that it had only three sides and was made up of bits of old wood, beams, brick and the corrugated iron remains of an old Anderson shelter. His economically driven D.I.Y was totally individual ...see more
I was also in this Fever Hospital with Scarlet Fever for three weeks I was 9 or 10. I clearly remember being rushed there in an ambulance wrapped tightly in a blanket with a bag of sweets stuffed down my front. I felt very bewildered by the whole experience. I recall the nurses were very kind but the food was not so good. A big box of oranges was sent in by one of my uncles which felt very special as I saw ...see more