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 111 - 120 of 242 in total
I was born in Croydon 1947. The only house that I remember living at was Bridle road, I went to Benson Jr. School. My Mum, worked at Mechanism in Croydon and I can remember riding the bus from school to Croydon on half days, where my Mum would meet me. I remember shopping at Surrey Street market, my Mum had a relative named Hodder who ran a market stall. We went to Canada in 1954. I have ...see more
I came to Croydon after being evacuated during the War. I lived in Sydenham Road. First school was Tavistock Infants in Grenaby Avenue, since demolished, then Sydenham Junior School (demolished) then Tavistock Seniors when boys and girls went there but were segregated by a wall right down the playground. We used to try and look over the wall but always got caught by a teacher. That school was also demolished, ...see more
My parents lived with my grandfather - Harry Fiddleman, at 41 Lower Addiscombe Road. Grandfather was a hairdresser so we lived behind and above the shop. I was born at St Mary's Maternity Home. I cannot find any references to this 'Home' anywhere, although I'd love to know more about it. When I was a baby my 'cot' was a drawer - evidently quite common in the fifties. My father worked for his father in the early days, ...see more
I was born in Northcote Road just around from the Gloucester in 1947. My grandparents were Burtons. I lived there until we migrated to Australia in 1961. I have so many memories but have never been back to England. I went to school at Sydenham Road primary and then to Tavistock Girls secondary in Tamworth Rd. My grandmothers family - the Bradstocks had a stall in the Surrey St market. We went to the market ...see more
I was born at Mayday Hospital 1953. I had an older brother, John Read, and sisters, Judith and Gillian. John went to the Catholic school St Peters and Gillian and me went to the convent in Lingfield until we all emigrated to Australia in 1962.
My memories of Croydon were when my sister Gill and me used to go swimming in the summer holidays at the swimming pools by Croydon Market, down the hill. I remember the ...see more
I was born in Keston Road, but when war was declared my parents moved us to South Harrow. We returned after the war to Stanley Road into a shop which was owned by one of my aunties. It had previously been occupied by another of my aunties who had 3 small children and had found it difficult to manage. The customers were varied and quite colourful. We were opposite to a public house called The Pauline Arms. They ...see more
I was born in1930, in Jarvis Road South Croydon. My memory is of starting at the Davis Cinema (the largest in Europe when it was built). I remember seeing Nat King Cole perform live at the Davis. My mates and I would start with 1/2 pint in every pub between the Green Man and working along, with the same in every pub to West Croydon. We had a 1965 London cab which we bought for £30. We, the seven of us, painted ...see more
Does anyone remember the groovy big boutique called Change Gear that was on the corner at West Croydon? The clothes were outrageous, including patchwork satin jackets, Minnie Mouse
shoes and handkerchief skirts. Upstairs was some kind of cafe where I think lots of pot smoking was going on. I have a dress from that shop still.
I grew up in Lower Church Street, next to the Pitlake ph. As kids we used to play all summer long in the park. By then the boating lake had been drained and it was just a big circular ditch with the island in the middle. The river was still there with, if I remember, three bridges crossing it. We used to go over the iron footbridge from Waddon New Road past the shelter on the right to the cabin for sweets and ices (by ...see more
At the same time in Wimbledon, there was also another Kennards and like the poster said, he used to go to Kennards with his mum and nan and so did I (to the Kennards in Wimbledon). I was about 4 or 5 then, just after the war and when I first went there with my mum and nan, I was amazed to see in this great big shop with so many departments, there was a dance floor and a small orchestra playing and a singer. I had never seen ...see more