Blue Pencil Cafe, County Oak Crawley

A Memory of Crawley.

Built as an Egg Farm and local produce outlet pre WW2 it became a Transport Café during the 1940's through the 1950's and into the 1960's. Well known on the A23. As a schoolboy I lived 100 yards south over the Surrey/Sussex border from 1945 to 1956. I remember the glass in our front door being rattled by overloaded trucks struggling to reach enough speed for the next gear change, and have been a petrol head ever since. My father set up as a Signwriter and Draughtsman, and for a while, rented one end room of the Café as a workshop. About 1948 he made new signs for the owner including one shaped as large blue pencil. It stood above the hedge opposite, and pointed across the road.
I hear tales from slightly younger friends about grabbing a pillion ride in the small hours to the one venue open all night, "The Blue Pencil." Tea, Coffee, and a Juke Box in the 1960's, a meeting place for Rockers. Now the question. Does anyone have a photo of "The Blue Pencil" Café from any period, that could be preserved for posterity?


Added 07 November 2013

#306471

Comments & Feedback

Around 1967 the Cafe became a Bar with late night opening called the Sky Lane.
To stay open Kate customers had to be served food.. to comply with this regulation but to reduce costs, customers were served with a very small place of potatoes salad,!,, I worked there as an evening bar maid at this time
Brenda Smith...
Check out @rickxlcr’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/rickxlcr/status/1079460000769232896?s=09

Add your comment

You must be signed-in to your Frith account to post a comment.

Sign-in or Register to post a Comment.

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?