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 31 - 40 of 241 in total
i went to lanfranc school in 1958 -1962 i too lost all my friends my best friend was colin smith my mother could not affordto let me go on that trip but i went with the army cadet force camp in fingerinhoe colchester while at camp on manouvers had an accident ended up in colchester millitary hospital where i read the news of the plane crash fate or what
I used to go to Parish Church School by the Church in Croydon then it moved to Duppas Hill. I went onto St Andrews. I have fond memories of Wilsons coffee shop & Bakers in George Street. Also Kennards Arcade my sister used to supply the baby rabbits to the Pet Shop. The donkey rides and of course Father Christmas. The huddle and bustle of Surrey Street and looking down on it from Grants Self Service ...see more
Does anyone remember The Star Hotel at Broad Green and the Jazz club in the back room run by Frank Getgood and Nobby?
I started going there every Friday night from 1959. They were great times and many great bands played there in the Trad Jazz revival years. Ken Colyer, Sandy Brown, Alex Welsh, Mike Daniels, Humph, Ken Simms, Alan Elsdon etc.
I can clearly remember singing "Walking with the king" with Colyer, much to ...see more
I can't remember the icecream parlour but I remember the feller on the banana stall at the bottom of the steps shouting "Narnas get your Narnas all day " also my cousin and myself used to collect old fruit boxes for firewood and take them home to Dartnell Rd on our soapboxes. Good old days
Dave Symons
I used to live in Dartnell road No 41 to be precise so of course I went to Davidson Rd School from about 1954 to 1959 I could have left at Easter but decided to stay until the Summer Hols in order so I could go on the School trip to Rome.The Teacher's I remember were Mr Best our Class Teacher, then there was Mr Rainforth,Miss Williams also Mr Loretta the music teacher, also Mr Patterson the ...see more
Yes, I remember Paper jack, my mum used to give him old papers but I don't think he ever put newones on! Hey, you must also remember Prince Monolulu who used to sell his 'Dead Cert' horse racing tips in Surrey Street market on big race days - I wonder f any of them ever won?
I grew up in Tower View and went to Benson and Selhurst in the 50s to 60s. My friends and I often went to Ashburton Park crossing the old golf course. Most of our memories come from activities at St Georges. We did several plays for the Millenial. I was a page to Archbishop Whitgift in the Sunday school one and an officers wife of the East India Company in the school one. I remember the Queen coming for the celebration and was ...see more
I used to visit the Contessa coffee bar in George Street which had a cellar where there was music and dancing, great days, it was owned by a guy called Nat Block and there was a great crowd in there most nights, especially weekends, including the Sarstedt brothers and the singer Gary Mills. And then we used to visit the Chalet Suisse coffee bar in South Croydon owned by 3 brothers Andre, Pierre and ? ...see more
The Singer Shop, at 11 George Street, had a record department upstairs. You can just make out the 'S' of their name at the extreme right of the photo and also a display rack below it, with a notice that says 'Budget Price Records'. I remember buying the first Spencer Davis Group album there when it came out in 1965. Their window display had a lot of French picture sleeve E.P.’s and my friend Mick Cantwell bought one by a ...see more
Hi, I was born in Purley in 1950 and moved to Crawley in 1957 so my memories are sketchy. What I do remember was Kennards in about 1954/5 and a pony or donkey ride that used to start outside and go into a park or open area close by. Does anyone remember that too?
Also Kennards top floor and tea room, a quartet playing to serenade us tea drinkers and monkeys/ baboons in cages on the top floor. Remember flaunting my long hair ...see more