Church 1903, Kenley
Church 1903, Kenley Ref: 50539
Memories of Church 1903, Kenley
A Late Wedding
When we were living in Church Road, Kenley where the church is situated, we lived right next door at No 16. At the time a Reverend Edwards was the vicar and I used to be a cross bearer for Sunday Service.
While were running the old folks home as previously mentioned, a couple, Bill Atterton aged 72 and Doris Cox aged 67, who were both residents at the home got married here. Bill, a widower, had been married before, but Doris who was also blind was still a spinster. It was very sweet and made the local press at the time.
Kenley & local memories
Read and share memories of Kenley and Surrey inspired by Frith photos.
Kenley, Whyteleafe, Coulsdon And Old Coulsdon
Born in a flat in Kenley, moved to Hillcrest Road, Whyteleafe, close to Kenley airport, a fighter station during the Second World War, were bombed out early in the war then moved to Old Coulsdon, Bradmore Way, overlooking the downs. I used to help out at the farm at the end of the downs, meeting parties that came up for teas, and on the swings. I went to school at Smitham junior and intermediate, until we had our house rebuilt after the war. The photos of the whole district have brought back so many childhood memories, wonderful. I now live down under, in Australia, so the photos have been a joy to my eyes. Thanks Frith photos.
Lived Here Twice
We lived here as a family from 1972 until 1985, where my parents ran an Old Folks Home, in Church Road.
In 1998 I took a flat in Valley Road, Kenley for two years after the breakup of my marriage, before in 2000 following my parents down to Worthing where they both subsequently passed away in 2003 and 2005.
Kenley was a very nice place to live, although running the business became very stressful for us as my dad over-extended himself.
These Steps
When we were living in Church Road, Kenley where the church is situated, we lived right next door at No 16, at the time a Reverend Edwards was the vicar and I used to be a cross bearer for Sunday Service.
While were running the old folks home as previously mentioned, a couple Bill Atterton aged 72 and Doris Cox 67 who were both residents at the home got married here.
The steps in this picture are in Kenley Lane and are the back entrance to the churchyard. Where the two boys in the picture are was parallel with our back garden and there was many a time when my brother and I ran up and down these same steps.
Going to Work
When I was working for Nat West Bank in the 70s I used to travel on the train from Kenley Station every day to go up to Caterham and back.
The up line terminates there while the downline goes via Purley to East Croydon and London, and I have stood on both sides of this platform hundreds of times waiting for the train to arrive.
When I returned to Kenley in 1998 I found that apart from a lick of paint, it had not changed very much and probably has not now.
54 Oaks Road
I lived at 54 Oaks Road Kenley from about the age of 18 months with my twin sister Pamela and our brother Roger who was three years older. My maiden name was Brookbank.
I remember the back garden was very steep on several levels, and right at the top was a gate that led into the woods, and these woods eventually opened out onto a playing field. We used to play in the woods for hours as children, and were never frightened, and our mother didn`t have to worry about us in those days.
My father had a large garden roller which one day crashed down the steep garden, gaining momentum and smashed his motor bike which was parked at the bottom! He built a large conservatory on the back of our house which seemed huge to a little girl, and I can still remember our mother putting us to bed every afternoon for a sleep, but of course we just played and messed around!
I remember my father... Read more
